Motorcycle Laws & Licensing for South Dakota, United States

Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. South Dakota Motorcycle Insurance
• 3. South Dakota Motorcycle Helmet Laws
• 4. South Dakota Motorcycle License Laws
  • 4.1 South Dakota Motorcycle Instruction Permit & Motorcycle License
  • 4.2 South Dakota Motorcycle License Test
• 5. South Dakota Motorcycle Passenger Laws
• 6. South Dakota Motorcycle Lane Splitting Laws
• 7. South Dakota Motorcycle Safety Features
• 8. Sources

1. Introduction

Handling a motorcycle carries both great risks and high rewards. On the one hand, you get to know the thrill and freedom that comes with handling a high-speed, maneuverable motor vehicle. On the other hand, your health and property are more vulnerable to damage during accidents or collisions. The best way to ensure trips involving your motorcycle proceed smoothly is to fully understand how to operate one and comply with traffic laws.

Throughout the United States, each region has a different interpretation of the rules that motorcyclists must comply with and the process to complete to earn the credentials needed to ride a motorcycle. The state of South Dakota is no exception.

This infographic is intended for new motorcyclists, out-of-state tourists, or experienced motorcyclists who are not familiar with the motorcycle laws and licensing process for South Dakota, United States.

2. South Dakota Motorcycle Insurance

Because you never know when you could end up in a motorcycle accident, you are required to own South Dakota motorcycle insurance. This coverage will be needed to provide compensation for bodily injury or property damage done against another party. Whenever you travel on your motorcycle, you must be carrying some proof of ownership to show you meet the standards for financial responsibility.

The minimum costs that your liability insurance coverage must be able to cover if you are found liable for an accident must include the following:

• $25,000 for bodily injury to a person per accident
• $50,000 for bodily injuries to multiple people per accident
• $25,000 for property damages sustained per accident

While you are not required to own any other forms of automobile insurance, you may want to consider getting the optional coverage that protects your health and property:

• Collision coverage
• Uninsured coverage
• Underinsured coverage
• Comprehensive coverage
• Bodily injury coverage
• Medical expenses

3. South Dakota Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Any motorcyclists under the age of 18 are required by law to wear a motorcycle helmet when operating their vehicles. Adults over the age of 18 can opt to not wear a motorcycle helmet when traversing South Dakota. However, it is recommended all riders have a motorcycle helmet on at all times. Wearing a motorcycle helmet lowers the risk of severe or fatal injuries to your head or neck.

Based on statistics from 2020, it is best to have a motorcycle helmet with you as it has saved many lives:

• Motorcycle accidents made up 19.7% of fatal automobile collisions
• 38% of riders who were in accidents were wearing motorcycle helmets
• 62% of riders who were in accidents were not wearing motorcycle helmets
• 25 riders were killed during 2020

When picking out a motorcycle helmet, make sure that it satisfies the safety parameters of the U.S. Department of Transportation. You will know it is approved if there is a DOT sticker plastered either on the outside or interior. The two types of motorcycle helmets to look for are three-quarter and full-face helmets.

Listed below are the features that your motorcycle helmet should have if you wish to ride your vehicle through South Dakota:

4. South Dakota Motorcycle License Laws

4.1 South Dakota Motorcycle Instruction Permit & Motorcycle License

For your South Dakota motorcycle instruction permit, you are eligible to apply if you are at least 14 years old or older. You must pay a fee of $28 to complete the process of getting a South Dakota motorcycle instruction permit if you are a new license holder. The fee will drop down to $15 if you already own a South Dakota driver’s license.

For your South Dakota motorcycle license, you are eligible to apply if you are at least 16 years old or older. You must pay a fee of $28 to successfully convert your motorcycle instruction permit into a full motorcycle license.

Listed below are the requirements, restrictions, and details you will need to follow if you wish to obtain the credentials and what you are legally allowed to do with your South Dakota motorcycle instruction permit or motorcycle license:

*While applicants holding a South Dakota motorcycle instruction permit are not required to take a driver’s education course or motorcycle safety course, it is highly recommended.

*If you are a minor, you are required to hold onto the motorcycle instruction permit for 180 days.

*If you complete a driver’s education course, the time required to hold onto the motorcycle instruction permit is cut down to 90 days.

*If you complete a motorcycle safety course, the time required to hold onto the motorcycle instruction permit is cut down to 30 days.

4.2 South Dakota Motorcycle License Test

Written Portion:

• Will be completed on touch-screen computers
• Complete 25 multiple-choice questions
• Questions will be based on content from South Dakota Motorcycle Operators Manual
• Requires a passing grade of 80% or higher

Riding Portion:

• Will be conducted in an actual traffic environment
• Will be graded by a DPS examiner
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of motorcycle operation
• You will be tested on staying within the posted speed limit, adjusting speed, accelerating, braking, turning safely, stopping, turning, swerving, and acting while under stress
• You will be graded based on how well you ride at safe speeds, stay within lanes, and demonstrate riding maneuvers

If you fail the South Dakota motorcycle license test, you are allowed to retake it at least three times within six months without having to repay the testing fees.

5. South Dakota Motorcycle Passenger Laws

As there is no minimum age requirement in South Dakota, you can carry almost anyone on your motorcycle. Although, it is illegal to carry a passenger if he/she is below the age of 18 and does not wear an approved motorcycle helmet. As you are responsible for the well-being of your passenger, you must use your best judgment when determining who can ride with you. It is recommended you do not bring along young children or elderly folk.

Before you can transport a passenger, your motorcycle must be outfitted with equipment to carry another person safely. It must at least have a designated passenger seat, footrests, and handholds or hand straps.

Listed below are the criteria for features needed to keep your passenger securely seated and the characteristics your passenger must have:

• The passenger is seated in a driver’s saddle big enough to fit two people
• Or the passenger is seated in a separate saddle near the rear
• Or the passenger is seated in a sidecar
• There are footholds the passenger can reach
• There are secure handholds or hand straps the passenger can hold onto
• The passenger is facing forward with a leg hanging on each side
• The passenger cannot hold packages that could obstruct the driver
• The passenger can understand and follow your directions

6. South Dakota Motorcycle Lane Splitting Laws

As lane splitting is banned in South Dakota, motorcyclists are not allowed to practice any of the following when riding on laned roads, highways, or freeways:

• You cannot ride on top of the dividing lines between lanes
• You cannot ride in between adjacent rows of vehicles that are stopped
• You cannot overtake a car or truck sharing the same lane

While motorcyclists are subject to the same traffic laws as car and truck drivers, there are legal maneuvers they can pull off thanks to the versatility and size of their motorcycles:

• You are entitled to full use of the space within your current lane
• You can only share a lane with another motorcycle if:
  • Both parties stay apart at least two abreast
  • Both parties consent beforehand

7. South Dakota Motorcycle Safety Features

Depending on how old your motorcycle is and how frequently you operate it, the machinery may start to break down due to overuse. Even if nothing seems wrong at first glance, there could be hidden punctures in the tires or a damaged primary component due to getting hit by debris. If even a single part of your motorcycle is not working properly, then its overall functionality will suffer for it.

To ensure your motorcycle is kept in proper working condition, you should conduct periodic inspections and provide maintenance if need be. Your motorcycle must at least have the following safety features:

• Horn
• Wheels
• Tires
• Handlebars
• Front and rear brakes
• Controls
• Headlight(s)
• Taillight
• Brake light
• License plate light
• Rear Reflector
• Exhaust system
• Muffler(s)
• Turn signals
• Rearview mirrors

8. Sources

www.vikingbags.com
888-208-1949
391 Thor Pl,
Brea, CA 92821