Owning and driving a car in South Dakota comes with paperwork: registration, a title, and proof of insurance. The point system tracks your convictions, and too many points in too short a time means a suspension.
Know the rule
Vehicles, motorcycles and trailers owned by SD residents and driven on public highways must be registered with the County Treasurer where you live. You have 90 days to register a vehicle brought in from another state.
Handbook p. 13 ↗Know the rule
Registration renewals are staggered by the first letter of your last name (for example, A and B renew in January; S in September).
Handbook p. 13 ↗Know the rule
A Certificate of Title is needed to sell or transfer a vehicle; keep it in a safe place, not in the vehicle. The registration certificate must always be carried in the vehicle.
Handbook p. 13 ↗Accepted financial responsibility (SDCL 32-35-113):
- Owner's policy of liability insurance
- Bond of a surety company
- $50,000 certificate of deposit or securities deposited with the State Treasurer
- Certificate of self-insurance (minimum 26 vehicles)
Know the rule
Carry written proof in the vehicle (an insurance card naming the company, policy number, and effective and expiration dates) and show it to any officer on request.
Handbook p. 14 ↗Know the rule
Failing to maintain proof of insurance is a Class 2 misdemeanor (30 days in county jail, a $100 fine, or both), plus a license suspension of 30 days to one year and an SR22 on file for 3 years from eligibility.
Handbook p. 14 ↗Know the rule
An SR22 is required after a suspension or revocation for an uninsured-accident judgment, no insurance, vehicular homicide, DWI, or two reckless driving convictions within one year. It must come directly from the insurer to the central office, not an exam station.
Handbook p. 13 ↗Or 22 points in any 24 consecutive months: subject to license suspension
Handbook p. 14 ↗Points per conviction
| Conviction | Points |
|---|---|
| DWI/DUI (plus mandatory revocation) | 10 |
| Reckless driving | 8 |
| Eluding/attempting to elude | 6 |
| Drag racing | 6 |
| Failure to yield right-of-way | 4 |
| Improper passing or wrong side of road | 4 |
| Stop sign/light violation | 3 |
| Other moving violation | 2 |
Point-system suspensions
| Suspension | Length |
|---|---|
| First | 60 days |
| Second | 6 months |
| Subsequent | 1 year |
Know the rule
No points are assessed for speeding, standing, parking, equipment, size or weight violations. When one incident brings multiple offenses, only the highest-point offense counts. Out-of-state convictions count the same, and you may request a hearing before suspension.
Handbook p. 14 ↗Put it into practice
Within one year you're convicted of failure to yield (4), improper passing (4), a stop sign violation (3) and drag racing (6). That's 17 points in 12 months, over the 15-point limit, so you face a suspension of 60 days if it's your first.