How to Get Personalized License Plates in South Dakota

Personalized license plates offer a unique way for South Dakota residents to express their individuality on the road. Beyond standard vehicle registration, these custom plates allow drivers to choose a combination of letters and numbers, creating a distinctive identifier for their car, truck, motorcycle, or motorhome. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the requirements, application process, fees, and restrictions associated with obtaining personalized license plates in South Dakota, ensuring a smooth journey from concept to display.

Eligibility Requirements for South Dakota Personalized License Plates

Before brainstorming your perfect message, you must adhere to the strict formatting guidelines designed to ensure clarity and consistency for law enforcement and registration purposes.

Allowable Characters

• Passenger Vehicles (Cars, Trucks, Motorhomes): Up to 7 characters.
• Motorcycles: Up to 6 characters.
• Content: A combination of letters and numbers is allowed.
• Minimum: Each plate must contain at least one letter or number.

Formatting Rules

• Spaces: Spaces are allowed but count as a character toward your maximum limit.
• Case: All letters will be printed in uppercase.
• Positioning: All characters must be upright.
• No Special Characters: Symbols such as #, $, &, @, or punctuation marks are not permitted.

Number Restrictions

• County Codes: The numbers ‘1’ and ‘2’ cannot be used as single characters on their own, as these are reserved for Minnehaha and Pennington county designations respectively.
• Duplication: Your chosen combination cannot duplicate an existing plate already issued in the state.

How to Apply for Personalized License Plates in South Dakota

Step 1: Check Availability: Do not rely on guessing. Use the my605drive portal (or the “Check a Plate” feature on the DOR website) to verify if your desired character combination is available. This tool can save you time and potential rejection.

Step 2: Complete the Application: Fill out the Personalized Plate Application (Form 1300).

• You will need your current vehicle information and owner details.
• The form typically asks for a first and second choice for your plate message. Providing a backup choice is highly recommended.

Step 3: Submit to County Treasurer: Submit your completed form and payment to your local County Treasurer’s office.

• Surrender Rule: You must surrender your current hard license plates at the time of application.
• Temporary Permit: The treasurer will issue you a Plate Ordered Permit (paper tag), which allows you to legally drive your vehicle for up to 30 days (or until your new plates arrive).

South Dakota Personalized Plate Content Restrictions

The South Dakota Department of Revenue reviews all applications under Policy MV118. While self-expression is encouraged, the state maintains specific prohibitions to ensure safety and propriety.

Prohibited Words and Vulgar Language Rules

• Vulgarity: The Department denies any combination containing vulgar or swear words. This is strictly defined as words considered vulgar, profane, offensive, or having a sexual connotation according to Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary.
  • Note: The Department has moved away from the subjective “offensive to good taste and decency” standard in favor of this objective dictionary-based definition.
• Law Enforcement Mimicry: Combinations that pretend to represent a government or law enforcement entity are prohibited (e.g., FBI, SDHP).
• Readability: Combinations that are difficult for law enforcement to read or distinguish quickly are not allowed (e.g., B8B8B8).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

South Dakota personalized license plates are a fantastic way to express your identity on the road. By following the “Merriam-Webster” content standard and preparing for the “surrender and permit” process at the Treasurer’s office, you can ensure a smooth application. Always start by checking your desired message online, and drive with pride!