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You must apply for a new title and registration within 45 days of the purchase date. Take the signed title, a completed bill of sale, and proof of South Dakota auto insurance to your county treasurer's office. There, you will pay the excise tax and other fees to get the vehicle officially titled and registered in your name.
While not always legally mandatory if the title is correctly filled out, a bill of sale is highly recommended. It serves as your official receipt and provides a legal record of the transaction. The bill of sale should include the vehicle's details (year, make, model, VIN), the sale price, the date, and the names and signatures of both the buyer and seller.
You will be required to pay a 4% motor vehicle excise tax based on the purchase price of the vehicle. This tax is paid at your local county treasurer's office when you apply for the title and registration. You will also pay separate fees for the title transfer and vehicle registration.
When buying a car from a private seller in South Dakota, you must obtain the original Certificate of Title from the seller. The seller needs to properly sign the back of the title to transfer ownership to you. Make sure the seller's name on the title matches their ID and that the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the title corresponds with the VIN on the vehicle.
South Dakota does not require safety or emissions inspections for most privately owned vehicles. This places the responsibility on you, the buyer, to thoroughly inspect the vehicle's condition before making a purchase.
Navigate South Dakota's Private Car Market: Tips, Documents, and Safety Advice.
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