Selling a Vehicle in South Dakota 101
There are specific legal requirements that you must meet when you sell a vehicle in South Dakota. At the moment, there are 1.2 million vehicles or more registered in the state. To help keep track of them, each of these vehicles has a title. When a vehicle is sold, you need to transfer the title over to the new owner.
Your local county treasurer’s office handles all motor vehicle titling. When you sell your vehicle, you should remember to include a Bill of Sale and be sure to sign the title correctly.
Before you sell a vehicle in South Dakota, you will need to obtain a permit. A seller’s permit lets the buyer drive your vehicle legally after you allow them to purchase it. This is available online or at the treasurer’s office, and you will be able to get it before you put your vehicle on the market.
The permit is available and works for up to 30 days, so you have plenty of time to sell your vehicle once you obtain it. You can renew it if needed. Best of all, this is free.
Once you have the permit, you’re ready to sell your vehicle. When you sell your vehicle, you need to give the buyer:
The Bill of Sale with basic information about your vehicle, such as the make, model and year. You will also need to include the price of the vehicle, the date you sold it, the buyer’s information and your information and signature.
- An odometer disclosure if your vehicle is nine years old or younger
- Proof of the lien release
- A Seller’s Report of Sale, Form MV2200.
- Your vehicle title
How to Sign Over the Title to the Buyer
- Turn over the title. On the back, you will sign where it says, “Signature of Seller(s).”
- Find the area that states “Hand Printed Name(s) of Seller(s) and print your name
- Have the buyer fill out the buyer sections, then take this, with all other paperwork, to the local treasurer’s office.
Replacing a Lost Title
If you have lost your title and need a new one, you can get one by completing the Duplicate Title Application. This application costs $10, so you will need to submit the form with payment before it will be issued. Send the form to the address on the application or take it to your local county treasurer’s office.
Transferring License Plates
South Dakota is known as an owner state. What that means is that your license plates always stay with you. The license plates don’t transfer with your vehicle.
When you buy a new vehicle, you will need to take your license plates off the old vehicle and transfer them to your new vehicle. The local county treasurer’s office will take care of the transfer paperwork.