Registration FAQs

How do I register my vehicle?

The registration process is a fairly simple and painless one. Just click on one of our registration sections that pertains to your type of vehicle (car, motorcycle, boat, or RV), and we'll guide you through the steps.

How often must I renew my registration?

Your registration needs to be renewed every year. You may renew it up to 90 days before the expiration date. The expiration date goes by the first letter of your last name. Here's the schedule:

• January―A,B

• February―C,D,E

• March―F,G,J

• May―H,I,O

• June―K,L

• July―M,N

• August―P,Q,R

• September―S

• November―T through Z

How do I make a correction to my registration?

If an error has been made on your registration documentation, you may use the Affidavit for Vehicle/Boat Registration to correct it.

How do I go about ordering a duplicate title?

No problem. Simply submit a completed Application for a Duplicate Certificate of Title along with a $10 fee. You can either drop this off at your county treasurer's office or mail it to:

• Duplicate Title Section

• Division of Motor Vehicles

• 445 East Capitol Ave.

• Pierre, SD 57501-3185

How do I order replacement license plates or registration stickers?

Simply submit a completed Affidavit for Duplicate License Plate/Validation Sticker. You can either drop this off at your county treasurer's office or mail it to:

• South Dakota Department of Revenue and Regulation

• Division of Motor Vehicles

• 445 East Capitol Ave.

• Pierre, SD 57501-3185

I lost my registration. How do I order a duplicate?

Visit your county treasurer's office, where you'll be asked to fill out a duplicate registration application and pay a $1 fee.

Where's my registration?

If your registration has not arrived in the mail after two weeks, contact your local county treasurer's office. If you paid by check, you might want to contact your bank to track the check. This way you'll have more information to pass on when contacting your county treasurer.

Where can I find more information?

For more information on the registration process, check out the state's registration home page.

You may also contact the Division of Motor Vehicles at:

• Division of Motor Vehicles

• 445 East Capitol Ave.

• Pierre, SD 57501

• Phone: (605) 773-3541

• Fax: (605) 773-2550

I’ve heard the IRS honors a tax deduction that has to do with my vehicle registration fees. Is this true?

Yes. The scoop is that the IRS counts a vehicle registration fee that's based on your vehicle's value as a personal property tax, which is deductible. This is true even if your state calls the fee a "registration fee" or a "vehicle use fee." Check out page 146 of the IRS's Publication 17 for more details.

But before you start entering your registration fees on line 7 of the 1040A form, double check to make sure your state calculates the car registration fee based on the car's value. For example, if your state charges you 1% of the car's value each year as a vehicle fee, and you pay $100 based on your car's value ($10,000), then you can deduct $100. If your state charges you for 1% of the car's value, plus a bunch of other miscellaneous fees, then you can still only deduct the $100. The fees might be itemized on your vehicle registration card or registration renewal form.

Other states ignore the car's value and charge only based on the vehicle weight; in those cases, you can't take the deduction.

If you aren't sure about whether the state charges this fee or you can't find the fee, contact your local motor-vehicle office. If you have questions about taking the deduction, call a tax professional or the IRS.

What's the scoop on nonoperational vehicles?

If you take your vehicle off the road, you do not have to pay registration fees, provided the vehicle remains nonoperable for an entire year. Otherwise, even if you only drive it for one month, you will still be required to pay the full registration fee. South Dakota does not prorate vehicle registration fees.

In order to re-register your nonoperable vehicle, visit your county treasurer's office, making sure to bring your vehicle's old registration certificate. No proof of storage is required.