- Home
- Our Departments
- Finance
- Motor Vehicle Registration Information
Motor Vehicle Registration Information
Motor Vehicles
The Brookings County Finance Office (BCFO) titles and licenses all new and used motor vehicles, motorcycles, trailers, snowmobiles, and boats. Our office also records and releases liens placed on vehicles. In South Dakota, titling a vehicle requires providing a valid South Dakota driver’s license or ID for each owner or a clear photo copy of proof of your social security number AND a valid out of state driver’s license or ID. Businesses must provide their FEIN#.
Titling Your Vehicle
The original paper title is required to title in South Dakota. South Dakota residents have 45 days from the date of sale to transfer title and register the vehicle without penalty. If the application for title is more than 45 days from the date of purchase, a late fee will be applied of $1.00 per week up to 26 weeks. Transfer after 26 weeks is $50.00. Interest on the 4% excise tax will also be applied after the 45 days. Interest, at a rate of 1.25% or $5.00, whichever is greater for the first month, and 1.25% per month thereafter on any application made after 45 days from the date the vehicle is purchased. A one-time penalty equal to 10% of the tax or $10, whichever is greater, is automatically applied to any application made after 60 days from the purchase date.
A 4% excise tax is imposed on most motor vehicle transactions unless they qualify for an exemption. The tax is based on the purchase price of the motor vehicle listed on the bill of sale, purchase order, or sales contract. All vehicles 10 years or newer are taxed, regardless of the purchase price. Vehicles which are 11 or more years old may be exempt from the 4% excise tax if the vehicle has been purchased for $2,500.00 or less. Credit is given for trade-ins.
Brookings County only titles and registers for those that reside in our county. We do not title or register for those that are out of our county or state.
Registration Renewals:
Registration on commercial, non-commercial vehicles and trailers, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and boats are done on a staggered licensing system based on the first letter of the owner’s last name, or in the case of a business, on the beginning letter of the business name.
Renewal months are as follows:
- A,B – January
- C,D,E – February
- F,G,J – March
- H,I,O – May
- K,L – June
- M,N – July
- P,Q,R – August
- S – September
- T thru Z – November
In-Office Registration:
Vehicles can be registered in our office at the Brookings City/County Government Building Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. We accept cash, check, and most major credit/debit cards. For those using credit/debit cards, a 2.5% fee will be added to your transaction.
Registration Online:
South Dakota Motor Vehicles Division also has an online website where you may register your vehicle at: my605drive . You must create an account to begin this process. This online system also allows you to Purchase new plates, update your address, opt in for email renewal and general notifications, find out the estimated renewal cost of your vehicles, report the sale of a vehicle and print a seller’s permit.
Self-Serve Registration:
The South Dakota Motor Vehicles Division also has a kiosk located at Lewis Drug, 910 22nd Ave S, Brookings, SD 57006. This self-serve terminal is available during store hours every day from 8 AM – 8 PM with exception of Sunday 9 AM – 6 PM. Anyone can use this location regardless of the county you live in.
Registration by mail:
You can send in your registration through the mail by sending a check along with the registration card that you received in the mail. Don’t forget that and additional $1.50 PER registration must be included in your total if you want your registration tags to be mailed to you.
You are able to renew your registration 90 days before your tags expire.
Motor Vehicle Frequently Asked Questions
I bought a vehicle, what do I need to bring with me to get it titled and registered?
A. For most transactions, you will need your SD photo ID, the vehicle title, bill of sale, and the odometer reading.
Can I still title my car if I don’t have a South Dakota ID?
A. If you live in Brookings County, you will need to have your current photo ID AND a copy of your social security card or W2 that shows the full 9 numbers.
What do I do with my license plates when I sell my car?
A. The license plates belong to you. When you sell your vehicle, take the plates off the vehicle and provide the new owner with a Seller’s Permit. To obtain this permit, you can go online at my605drive. You can also obtain a Seller’s Permit from the Brookings County Finance Office. The seller must obtain this permit for the purchaser. There is no charge for these permits.
What if I don’t have my Social Security Card?
A. The State of South Dakota requires something from the government (W2) that has your SSN on it if you do not have a South Dakota ID. Tax return paperwork will work as long as the full 9 numbers are included on the page.
What if I can’t make it to my county office to renew my tags?
A. You can renew your tags online (mysdcars.sd.gov), through the kiosk (Lewis Drug, Brookings), or by calling our office and paying through an online credit card system.
Does Brookings County do out of state titling?
A. Brookings County does NOT transfer titles or process registrations for out of state residents.
If I live in a different county, can I buy my tags in Brookings?
A. In South Dakota, you must purchase your registration tags in the county you live in. The only exception is online registration or through kiosks located throughout the state. There is a kiosk at Lewis Drug at 910 22nd Ave S, Brookings.
Can I purchase registration tags for my friend?
A. In Brookings County, you are able to purchase registration tags for your friend as long as you know their driver’s license number or Social Security Number. This may not be the case in other counties.
How do I get a Handicap decal?
A. Handicap decals can only be administered through a signed form from your physician. If your physician does not have one of these forms, they can be found at https://dor.sd.gov/government/county-treasurers/ Form 1305.
I lost my title, how do I get a new one?
A. Vehicle owners may obtain a duplicate title by completing Duplicate Title Application Form 1002 (https://dor.sd.gov/government/county-treasurers/) along with submitting a $10 fee. Submit the form and payment to the Brookings County Finance Office.
What do I need to do if I move to SD from out of state?
A. If you have titled and licensed your vehicles in another state, you will be granted reciprocity when you come to South Dakota and will not have to pay any additional tax if your state’s tax rate is above South Dakota’s 4% tax rate. If a state with no tax or a lower tax rate than South Dakota’s 4%, then you will need to pay the additional tax rate to match the 4%. You have 90 days from your date of arrival to title and license your vehicle in South Dakota. You will need to bring in the title to the vehicle, your photo ID and possibly a copy of your social security card if you do not have a SD issued ID. You will also need to know the current odometer reading.
What do I do if I don’t have my title because it is being held by my lienholder?
A. If you are currently making payments on your vehicle, you can come to the Finance Office and fill out a form with the lienholder information. This form will be sent to the lienholder, letting them know that you have moved and need to title your vehicle in South Dakota. The lienholder will send the title to the Finance Office. Once the title is received, you will be called so that you may be able to come in to title and register your vehicle and change it to a South Dakota title.
There is an old car sitting in our trees that has been there since before we moved in. Can we get it titled so we can sell it?
A. No. When a vehicle is abandoned, a tow company/removal agency must be called to have them tow it to their lot. After being towed, there are many steps that the tow company must take in order to receive a title for the vehicle. Once the tow company receives the title, they may sell it to you at that point. https://dor.sd.gov/businesses/motor-vehicle/commercial-vehicles/abandoned-vehicles/