If a vehicle has been involved in an accident and declared to be a total loss by the owner or the insurance company, the South Dakota Department of Motor Vehicles will brand it with a salvage title.
Generally, a salvage title car cannot be driven on public roads in South Dakota until it has been adequately repaired, inspected, rebranded as “rebuilt” or “revived”, registered, and insured.
This page will cover the salvage title process in South Dakota, and provide you with tips on how to get a salvage vehicle back on the road.
For official information or questions about your specific situation, please contact your local South Dakota DMV office or visit the official DMV website:
What is a Salvage Title in South Dakota?
Like many other states, a salvage title in South Dakota means that the vehicle has been reported to the DMV to be a total loss, wrecked, or damaged to the point where it is no longer roadworthy.
South Dakota salvage title cars cannot be driven until they have been repaired and inspected.
How to Get a Salvage Title Cleared in South Dakota
Before you can register and drive the salvage vehicle again, you’ll need to repair it, apply for a rebuilt title, and have the vehicle inspected.
During the rebuild process, you need to keep all of the following documents:
- Certificates of Title.
- Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origins.
- Bills of Sale.
- Invoices.
- Receipts.
All parts and labor used in the rebuild must be documented.
After the repairs are complete, you’ll need to submit the following to your local county tag office:
- Application for Inspection of Rebuilt Motor Vehicle: https://www.state.sd.us/eforms/secure/eforms/E2431V1-SDApplicationForRebuiltMotorVehicle.pdf
- Application for Motor Vehicle Title and Registration: https://sddor.seamlessdocs.com/f/1001
- Payment for the $10 title fee.
- Payment for the $25 inspection fee.
Register a Salvage Title Car in South Dakota
After the vehicle passes inspection and a rebuilt title has been issued, you can apply for license plates and registration through your local county DOR office.
Related Pages:
- What is a Salvage Title?
- What is a Rebuilt Title?
- Salvage Title Insurance
- Buying a Car with a Salvage Title
Next Steps
If you’re in the market to buy, sell, or register a salvage title vehicle in South Dakota, VINvaquero.com has the free resources you need to get back on the road.
Check out some of our related guides and useful tools below: