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South Dakota car registration fee calculator

How much does it cost to register a car in South Dakota? $72 a year for a car with a shipping weight of 2,001 to 4,000 lbs ($36 to $144 by weight, 70% once it's 10 years old), plus the county wheel tax ($16 in Minnehaha County), $1 solid waste, $1 Highway Patrol and a $2 technology fee: $92 a year. Buying adds the $10 title, another $2 technology fee and the 4% excise tax: $1,304 on a $30,000 car. Electric cars pay $100 a year more.

Your vehicle

The manufacturer's shipping weight.
Electric vehicles pay $100 a year at registration and every renewal. There is no hybrid or plug-in hybrid fee.
Counties may charge a wheel tax of up to $5 a wheel. Other counties' amounts show as not available.
$
$
Credit for a trade-in to a licensed dealer, titled in your name.
Estimated total
$1,304.00

Example for a $30,000 car. Enter your own price to update it.

  • Registration (1 yr)By shipping weight$72.00
  • County wheel tax4 wheels$16.00
  • Solid waste fee$1.00
  • Highway Patrol fee$1.00
  • Technology feeTitle and registration transactions$4.00
  • Title fee$10.00
  • Motor vehicle excise tax4% of price$1,200.00

What you'll pay later

Renewal at today's rates: $92.00/yr

Year 1 $1,304.00 · Years 2–5 $92.00/yr · 5-year total $1,672.00

Estimate only, at today's rates for the same car.

Estimate only. Rates checked October 21, 2026 · South Dakota. Confirm with the South Dakota Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division (county treasurers).

South Dakota vehicle fees at a glance (2026)

Registration, car or pickup$36 / $72 / $108 / $144 a year by shipping weight (70% at 10+ years)
Motorcycle$18 - $24 a year by engine size + $7 safety fee
Other yearly fees$1 solid waste, $1 Highway Patrol, $2 technology fee per transaction
County wheel taxUp to $5 a wheel (Minnehaha $4, $16 a car)
Electric vehicle fee$100 a year
Title fee$10
Excise tax4% of price less trade-in

Download this fee summary (PDF)

What this estimate does and does not include

  • South Dakota has no sales tax on vehicle purchases; instead the 4% motor vehicle excise tax is paid at titling, on the price less a dealer trade-in (titled in your name). Private sales pay the same 4%.
  • License fee by shipping weight (SDCL 32-5-6) for cars, pickups and vans: $36 to 2,000 lbs, $72 to 4,000, $108 to 6,000, $144 over; 70% once the vehicle is 10 years old (SDCL 32-5-30). Pickups over 6,000 lbs may instead license by gross weight (not covered).
  • Wheel tax is set by each county (up to $5 a wheel, capped). Minnehaha County: $4 a wheel to 6,000 lbs, $5 over, $60 maximum: $16 for a car, $8 for a motorcycle. For other counties it shows as not available.
  • The $2 technology fee is charged per transaction: once for the title and once for the registration on a purchase, once on a renewal.
  • Electric vehicles pay $100 a year (SDCL 32-5-2.11); electric motorcycles and hybrids pay no extra fee.
  • No late renewal penalty is specified by the DOR. Not included: plate reassignment ($5), plate mailing ($12) and decal mailing ($2.50).
Official sources · Last checked October 21, 2026 · Next monthly check: November 2026

South Dakota registration questions

How much is car registration in South Dakota?

$36 to $144 a year by shipping weight ($72 for 2,001 to 4,000 lbs), plus the county wheel tax and $4 in yearly fees. In Minnehaha County a typical car renews for $92.

How much are the fees on a $30,000 car in South Dakota?

$1,304 in Minnehaha County: $1,200 excise tax (4%), $10 title, $72 registration, $16 wheel tax, $1 solid waste, $1 Highway Patrol and $4 in technology fees.

Is there sales tax on a car in South Dakota?

No sales tax, but a 4% motor vehicle excise tax is paid when you title, on the price less any dealer trade-in.

Do electric cars pay extra in South Dakota?

Yes, $100 a year at registration and every renewal. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids pay no extra fee.

How much is motorcycle registration in South Dakota?

$18 to $24 a year by engine size plus a $7 safety fee, the wheel tax and $4 in yearly fees. A 350 to 1,000 cc motorcycle in Minnehaha County renews for $40.

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