South Dakota · SD · Vehicles
South Dakota: Is there an annual vehicle safety inspection?
No safety inspection
South Dakota does not require safety inspections of private passenger cars; its general inspection law was repealed in 1979.
The state code's Motor Vehicle Inspection chapter still exists, but its general inspection sections were repealed in 1979. What remains covers annual inspections of large passenger vehicles used by nonprofit groups and roadside checks by the Highway Patrol when a vehicle appears unsafe. Rebuilt vehicles must be inspected when they are titled. The answer is an inference from the repealed sections and the state's registration guidance, which lists no inspection for ordinary cars.
What the law says
32-21-4 to 32-21-26. Repealed by SL 1979, ch 220, § 8.
Sources
- SDCL ch. 32-21 (Motor Vehicle Inspection), table of sections Official · sdlegislature.gov
- SDCL 32-21-4 to 32-21-26 (repealed) Official · sdlegislature.gov
- SDCL 32-21-28 (stop and inspection by Highway Patrol) Official · sdlegislature.gov
- South Dakota Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Official · dor.sd.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 No safety inspectionNo. Iowa does not require safety inspections of private passenger cars to register them or on a regular schedule.
- Minnesota No safety inspectionMinnesota does not require periodic or at-sale safety inspections of private cars; it relies on roadside spot checks instead.
- Montana No safety inspectionMontana does not require regular or at-sale safety inspections of private cars; officers may inspect a car they suspect is unsafe.
- Nebraska No safety inspectionNebraska has no safety inspection; cars titled from another state get only an identification inspection of the VIN and odometer.
- North Dakota No safety inspectionNorth Dakota has no regular or point-of-sale safety inspection for passenger cars.
- Wyoming No safety inspectionWyoming does not require safety inspections of passenger cars; cars from other states get only a VIN check when titled.
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