Frequently Asked Questions
What does Plate with Owner apply to?
What does Plate with Owner NOT apply to?
What should I do when I sell, trade, or transfer my vehicle?
If there is more than one title owner of the vehicle, who owns the
plates?
How long do I have to transfer the title of my new vehicle?
Can I transfer the plate to a vehicle that I already own?
Can I switch the plates on the vehicles that I own?
When I bought my vehicle it still had plates, can I drive with these
plates?
Can I put my plates on another vehicle as soon as I buy it?
If I sell my vehicle and buy a vehicle for my child can I give
my child the plates?
Who is the owner of a plate on a vehicle that is leased?
What is the penalty for not taking the plates off a sold vehicle and not doing a report of sale?
What does Plate with Owner apply to?
• Commercially Plated Vehicles
• Non-Commercially Plated Vehicles (Passenger Vehicles, Trailers, Motorcycles, Motor Homes)
• Both Vehicle and Trailers
• Historically Plated Vehicles
What does Plate with Owner NOT apply to?
• Boats and Snowmobiles
• Trailer ID Plates
• Prorate IRP/Apportioned
• Construction Plates
What should I do when I sell, trade, or transfer my vehicle?
Private Party Sale (Seller’s responsibility):
- Obtain a seller’s permit, at no cost, from a county treasurer or online.
- Remove the current license plates when your vehicle is sold.
- Complete a Report the Sale.
- The removed plates may be transferred to a newly acquired vehicle once an application is made for the title at your County Treasurer’s office.
When trading or purchasing a vehicle from a SD licensed dealer, the dealer will take care of steps 1 through 3 above.
If there is more than one title owner of the vehicle which owner owns the plate?
There can be joint ownership of license plates. If there are multiple names on the vehicle title, each individual listed as an owner on the title may take action affecting the plate. Each title owner is an owner of the plate.
How long do I have to transfer the title on my new vehicle?
South Dakota law requires that the title be transferred within 30 days of the date of sale/purchase. An unexpired plate cannot be attached to a newly acquired vehicle until the title is transferred, through the purchaser’s local county treasurer’s office.
Can I transfer the plates to a vehicle that I already own?
Regular county plates can only be transferred to a newly acquired vehicle. If the plates are specialty plates or organizational plates you are allowed to move them to a vehicle you already own. You will be responsible for any difference in fees and will be charged a $5 reassignment fee.
Can I switch the plates on the vehicles that I own?
A regular county plate cannot be removed from a vehicle that is still retained by the owner and placed on another. A plate is not valid if it is not on the vehicle which it is registered. Specialty and organizational plates can be switched, but a $5 reassignment fee will be charged for each plate.
When I bought my vehicle it still had plates. Can I use these plates?
No, the registration on that vehicle is no longer valid. The previous owner should have removed the plates and provided you with a sold permit or a seller’s permit. Title transfer through your local county treasurer’s office must be done within 30 days of the purchase of the vehicle. If needed, new plates will be issued, or if you have valid, unattached plates available, upon titling and registration, the county treasurer will authorize the use of these plates.
Can I put my plate on another vehicle as soon as I buy it?
No, transfer of the title must be done through your county treasurer’s office before plates can be attached to the vehicle. The title must be transferred within 30 days of the purchase of the vehicle. Fees will be assessed from the date of sale, with interest and penalty being assessed on late transactions. If needed new plates will be issued, or if you have valid unattached plates available, the county treasurer will authorize the use of these plates once the vehicle has been properly titled and licensed.
If I sell my vehicle and buy a vehicle for my child can I give them my plate?
If you are also a title owner of the newly acquired vehicle, along with your child, you can use those plates once you have transferred title and registered the vehicle through your county treasurers office.
Who is the owner of the plate on a vehicle that is leased?
Both are the owner of the plates, so whoever shows up to transfer the plate is considered the owner.
What is the penalty for not taking the plates off a sold vehicle and not doing a report of sale?
A ROS between private parties will be regarded as mandatory and must be filed within 15 days of date of sale. Failure of a seller to do so is a Class 2 misdemeanor. Why a ROS is required:
- The seller must remove the plate from the sold vehicle and, if the buyer has not yet transferred title, file a ROS before the plate that was removed may be registered and attached to another vehicle.
- Upon receipt of the ROS, the motor vehicle record is updated to reflect the sale of the vehicle and the seller’s plate is eligible to be detached.
- Filing a report of sale may protect the seller from liability that may result from moving or operating a vehicle after the date of sale.
Based on the ROS, the system will generate an alert in the event a pending title is not created within 30-45 days of the date of sale. This alert will be used to automatically generate a letter to the new purchaser advising the purchaser of the requirements to transfer title and that penalty and interest is accruing. If no action is taken after that contact, further steps can be taken.
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