South Dakota: Do you need a front license plate?
South Dakota requires a passenger car to display two plates, one on the front and one on the rear.
State law says a vehicle may not be driven on public highways without two number plates, one on the front and one on the rear, each securely fastened. Motorcycles need only one plate. The statute starts with "except as otherwise specifically provided," so a few special plate types may follow other rules. South Dakota plates stay with the owner, not the vehicle.
What the law says
Except as otherwise specifically provided, no person may operate or drive a motor vehicle on the public highways of this state unless the vehicle has a distinctive number assigned to it by the department, and two number plates, bearing the number conspicuously displayed, horizontally and in an upright position, one on the front and one on the rear of the vehicle, each securely fastened.
Sources
- SDCL 32-5-98 Official · sdlegislature.gov
- SD Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Official · dor.sd.gov
- SDCL 32-5-98 (readable text) Official · sdlegislature.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- South Dakota Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division
- Phone
- (605) 773-3541
- Website
- dor.sd.gov
How bordering states compare
- Iowa Front and rear platesIowa requires passenger cars to display registration plates on both the front and the rear.
- Minnesota Front and rear platesMinnesota requires passenger cars to display one plate on the front and one on the rear.
- Montana Front and rear platesMontana requires most vehicles to display one plate on the front and one on the rear.
- Nebraska Front and rear platesNebraska requires front and rear plates on passenger cars through 2028. Starting January 1, 2029, only a rear plate is required.
- North Dakota Front and rear platesNorth Dakota requires two license plates on a passenger car, one on the front and one on the rear.
- Wyoming Front and rear platesWyoming requires plates on the front and rear, though several vehicle types are exempt from the front plate.
All 50 states for this question · Other topics in South Dakota