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updateUpdated 2026-10-22

South Dakota License Plate Lookup

South Dakota License Plate Lookup powered by NHTSA. The SD license plate lookup tool above returns make, model, year, trim, recalls, and crash ratings for any South Dakota-registered vehicle in seconds.

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SOUTH DAKOTA1A2-345

1.1M

Registered Vehicles

South Dakota (FHWA)

Since 1913

South Dakota Department of Revenue

1A2-345

South Dakota License Plate Lookup: Quick Facts

Agency	South Dakota Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Division
Issuance year	1913
Current format	1A2-345 — Seven characters on the current Mount Rushmore design: county number prefix (1=Minnehaha/Sioux Falls, 2=Pennington/Rapid City, etc., assigned by 1953 population), a letter, then digits. South Dakota is a two-plate state.
Plates required	Two (front and rear)
Replacement fee	$10
Registration validity	1 year
Registered vehicles	1.1M (approx.)
DMV contact	1-605-773-3541 · dor.sd.gov/motor-vehicles/

How do I look up a South Dakota license plate?

Three steps to a complete south dakota license plate lookup. The SD license plate lookup workflow below works for any South Dakota-registered plate.

1
Enter the South Dakota license plate number in the search field above. Spaces and dashes are optional.
2
Confirm SD is selected in the state dropdown — plate numbers can repeat across states, so the state is required for accurate matching.
3
Press Search Plate. You'll see make, model, year, trim, engine, open recalls, and NHTSA crash safety ratings in seconds.

Run a SD plate lookuparrow_forward

What does a South Dakota license plate lookup reveal?

Free South Dakota plate searches return vehicle-level data: make, model, year, recalls, and NHTSA crash ratings. Personal information (driver name, address, contact) is protected under the DPPA and is not available here.

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DPPA notice — vehicle data only

This South Dakota license plate lookup returns vehicle information only — make, model, year, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database. We do not return the registered owner's name, address, phone number, email, driving record, or any other personal information about the driver. Personal driver and owner information is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not lawfully accessible through any free public lookup.

Free — available here

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check_circleBody style, doors, curb weight
check_circleEngine size, cylinders, fuel type
check_circleTransmission and drivetrain
check_circleOpen NHTSA safety recalls
check_circleNHTSA crash test ratings
check_circleEPA fuel economy (MPG)
check_circleManufacturing plant & country

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boltState of registration history
boltTheft / total-loss records

Registered owner name, address, contact details, and driving records are protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and are not returned by this site or any other free public lookup. This tool provides vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, recalls, safety ratings, and EPA fuel economy — sourced from NHTSA and EPA public databases.

What does a South Dakota license plate format look like?

Seven characters on the current Mount Rushmore design: county number prefix (1=Minnehaha/Sioux Falls, 2=Pennington/Rapid City, etc., assigned by 1953 population), a letter, then digits. South Dakota is a two-plate state.

SOUTH DAKOTA1A2-345

South Dakota license plate format history

Era	Format	Example
1913–1952	Sequential numeric / county-prefixed	12-345
1953–1975	County number + sequential (1953 county codes by population)	1-12345
1976–1986	County prefix + letter + digits ('Great Faces, Great Places')	1A 1234
1987–2005	County prefix + letter + digits (Mount Rushmore design)	1A 1234
2006–2014	County prefix + letter + digits (refreshed Rushmore)	1A 1234
2015–present	County prefix + letter + digits ('Great Faces, Great Places' centennial)	1A2-345

South Dakota license plate laws you should know

Below are the four laws that most often trip up South Dakota drivers. Rules are enforced at the stop, the inspection station, and at registration renewal.

Two plates required

South Dakota requires two plates — front and rear — on every passenger vehicle under SDCL § 32-5-89. Failure to display either plate can result in fines.

Front plate rule

No exemption exists for vehicles lacking a front mounting bracket. Owners must install a bracket or face a citation under § 32-5-89.

Registration stickers & display

South Dakota issues a registration sticker affixed to the upper-right corner of the rear plate showing the month and year of expiration. Registration is renewed annually based on the owner's birth month.

Inspection / smog check

South Dakota does NOT require statewide emissions testing or safety inspections for passenger vehicles. The state has no I/M program — one of the most lenient regulatory regimes in the US, which partly explains its popularity for permanent vehicle / RV registrations from out-of-state owners.

Types of South Dakota license plates

South Dakota issues dozens of plate designs. These are the main categories you'll encounter on the road or see at the DMV counter.

Standard South Dakota / Great Faces, Great Places

Default plate with the iconic Mount Rushmore design and county-number prefix. Two plates required.

Personalized / Vanity

Up to 7 characters on the standard or specialty backgrounds. $25 above standard fees through the South Dakota DOR.

Disabled / Disabled Veteran

ISA wheelchair symbol; qualifies for accessible parking statewide. DV plates carry waived fees for qualifying veterans.

Military specialty

Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, POW, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Gold Star Family, and branch-specific plates.

Special interest

South Dakota State Jackrabbits, USD Coyotes, Black Hills, Pheasants Forever, Centennial, and dozens of cause plates.

Historical / Antique

For vehicles 30+ years old used primarily for exhibitions, parades, and club events. Restricted to occasional use.

How much does a South Dakota license plate cost?

Typical South Dakota DMV fees for plates, registration, and related services. Always confirm current amounts on the official DMV site before paying.

Annual registration (passenger, varies by weight)	$36–$144 (based on vehicle weight)
Replacement plate (per pair)	$10
Personalized plate	$25 above standard fees
Specialty plate	$10–$25 (varies by plate)
Title fee	$10
Excise tax (on title transfer)	4% of vehicle purchase price

Source: South Dakota Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Division — https://dor.sd.gov/motor-vehicles/

What if my South Dakota plate is lost, stolen, or damaged?

Follow these steps to replace a South Dakota license plate. Do not keep driving with a missing plate — it is a citable offense in most states.

1
File a police report immediately if the plates were stolen.
2
Visit your local County Treasurer's office (registration is handled at the county level in South Dakota).
3
Complete the Application for Replacement Plates with vehicle information.
4
Pay the $10 replacement fee.
5
Surrender any remaining plate from the pair before substitute plates are issued.

South Dakota DMV contact & privacy

Official agency

South Dakota Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Division

call1-605-773-3541

languagedor.sd.gov/motor-vehicles/

DPPA privacy notice

Personal information tied to a South Dakota license plate — driver name, address, date of birth, phone number, email, and driving record — is protected by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not returned by this site. This page and the lookup tool provide vehicle-level data only: make, model, year, trim, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about South Dakota license plate lookups, DMV rules, and plate replacement.

How do I run a South Dakota license plate lookup?expand_more

Enter any South Dakota plate in the search field above and press Check Plate. You'll get the vehicle's make, model, year, trim, open NHTSA recalls, and crash ratings — free, no signup required.

Does South Dakota require a front license plate?expand_more

Yes. SDCL § 32-5-89 requires passenger vehicles to display two plates — one on the front and one on the rear. There is no exemption for vehicles sold without a front bracket.

How much does a replacement South Dakota plate cost?expand_more

The replacement fee is $10 for a new plate pair. Replacements are processed at your local County Treasurer's office.

What does the number on a South Dakota plate mean?expand_more

The leading number on a South Dakota plate is the county code, assigned by population rank from the 1953 census: 1 = Minnehaha (Sioux Falls), 2 = Pennington (Rapid City), 3 = Brown (Aberdeen), 4 = Brookings, and so on through 64 counties. The system is still in use today.

Are South Dakota license plate records public?expand_more

No. Owner information tied to a South Dakota plate is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and SDCL § 1-27-1.5. Free lookups return only vehicle-level data.

Does South Dakota require an inspection or emissions test?expand_more

No. South Dakota does not require statewide emissions testing or safety inspections for passenger vehicles. It's one of the most lenient inspection regimes in the US.

How do I get a personalized South Dakota plate?expand_more

Personalized plates are ordered through your County Treasurer or at dor.sd.gov for $25 above standard registration fees. Up to 7 characters are allowed.

Why do so many out-of-state RVs have South Dakota plates?expand_more

South Dakota allows residency to be established via a single overnight stay and offers no state income tax, no vehicle inspection, and low registration fees — a combination that makes it the favored 'domicile' state for full-time RVers and remote nomads nationwide.

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