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Special Vehicles in South Dakota

Snowmobile Registration
Outside of bicycles and skateboards, South Dakota's Motor Vehicles Division (MVD) requires registration for just about anything with axles and wheels, including snowmobiles.
All snowmobiles must be registered, regardless if you restrict your riding to private property or exclusively to frozen lakes. Your county treasurer handles all registrations. What forms to bring depends on whether you purchased the snowmobile from a dealership or from an individual.
If You Purchased From a Dealership
Here's what you do:
- Complete an Application for Motor Vehicle Title and Registration.
- Bring along a purchase order, bill of sale, or sales contract if the Dealer Price Certification is not completed on the Application for Motor Vehicle Title and Registration.
- Include the manufacturer's statement of origin.
- Pay the state's 3% excise tax, a $20 license fee that's good for two years (a one year rate is not offered) and any other applicable fees.
If You Purchased From an Individual
Follow these steps:
- Complete an Application for Motor Vehicle Title and Registration.
- Include the bill of sale and transferred title.
- Pay the state's 3% excise tax, a $20 license fee that's good for two years (a one year rate is not offered) and any other applicable fees.
Trailer Registration
The state requires an annual trailer plate for any trailers being towed by cars, pickups or vans weighing under 6,000 pounds. Vehicles licensed for gross weight can tow a licensed trailer, provided that the combined weight of the trailer and the load being hauled are not included in determining the vehicle's declared gross weight.
Here are the procedures to follow:
- Complete an Application for Motor Vehicle Title and Registration. Make sure to include either your Social Security number or driver's license number. The application must be filed with your county treasurer.
- Pay all applicable fees based on your trailer's weight and year.
All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Registration
To register your ATV you must:
- Complete an Application for Motor Vehicle Title and Registration. You can't submit this anywhere. It must be filed with your county treasurer.
- Include either a manufacturer's statement of origin or a document that validates your ownership.
- Submit a Four Wheel, ATV Affidavit.
- Submit proof that you paid the sales tax.
- Pay all applicable fees.
Low-Speed Vehicles
All low-speed, four-wheel electrical vehicles that cannot achieve speeds greater than 25 m.p.h. on a paved road, cannot be driven on any public road with posted speed limits of 35 m.p.h. or faster.
In addition, theses vehicles must be titled and registered. And you must own a driver's license in order to operate one.
Other Registration Links
Other Topics in This Section
- Register Car
- Registration Renewal
- Registration & Insurance
- Replacing a Lost Registration
- RV & Motorhome Registration
- Custom Built Car Registration
- Boat Registration and Licenses
- Title Transfers
- Replacing a Lost Title
- Salvaged Vehicles
- Drivers with Disabilities
- License Plates & Placards
- Smog & Emission Checks
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