Official fees
South Dakota motorcycle fee chart
Under 350cc, under 10 yrs
$18.00
Under 350cc, 10+ yrs
$12.60
350cc – 1,000cc, under 10 yrs
$21.00
350cc – 1,000cc, 10+ yrs
$14.70
Over 1,000cc, under 10 yrs
$24.00
Over 1,000cc, 10+ yrs
$16.80
Solid waste + highway patrol + tech fees
$4.00
Title fee (new purchase)
$10.00
Excise tax (new purchase)
4%
of price minus trade-in
Figures verified July 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county treasurer's office (SD Dept. of Revenue) - counties can add small local fees.
- Under 350cc
- $18/yr
- 350cc–1,000cc
- $21/yr
- Over 1,000cc
- $24/yr
- 10+ yrs old
- -30% off
- Excise tax
- 4% + $10 title
Overview
Buying a bike triggers the same excise-tax mechanics as a car: 4% on the price minus any trade-in, a $10 title fee, and the same 45-day deadline before interest starts. Motorcycles also qualify for every exemption on South Dakota's list - a bike gifted between spouses, parent and child, or siblings owes no excise tax, and a motorcycle 11 or more model years old selling for $2,500 or less is exempt regardless of who's buying it. County wheel tax applies too, just scaled to two wheels instead of four.
Same state, other costs
More South Dakota vehicle costs
Common questions
South Dakota motorcycle fees FAQ
- How much does it cost to register a motorcycle in South Dakota per year?
- $22–$28 all-in for a bike under 10 model years old: $18–$24 base by engine size, plus $4 in flat state fees. A motorcycle 10 or more model years old pays 30% less on the base portion - as little as $16.60 total for a small, older bike.
- Do motorcycles pay the same excise tax as cars?
- Yes - 4% on the purchase price minus trade-in, with the identical exemptions: no-money transfers between spouses, parent and child, or siblings are exempt, and any motorcycle 11+ model years old selling for $2,500 or less is exempt regardless of relationship.
- Is there an inspection requirement for motorcycles?
- No - South Dakota has no statewide vehicle safety or emissions inspection for any vehicle type, motorcycles included. Registration is a straightforward fee transaction at the county treasurer.
- How does county wheel tax apply to a two-wheeled vehicle?
- The same per-wheel rate applies, just counted at two wheels instead of four - so a county charging the statutory maximum of $5 per wheel adds $10 to a motorcycle's registration versus $20 for a car, both still under the $60 vehicle cap.
- Do mopeds and scooters register the same way?
- If it's titled as a motorcycle by engine displacement, yes - same fee ladder and same 30% age discount. Very small displacement mopeds and e-bikes that don't require a motorcycle title fall outside this system; check with your county treasurer if you're unsure which category yours falls into.
- What's the deadline to title a newly purchased motorcycle?
- 45 days from the purchase date, identical to cars and trucks - miss it and the same interest (1% or $5 for the first month, 1%/month after) plus the $1-per-week title penalty (capped at $50) apply.
Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.
