Chapter 10: Your Vehicle

Ensuring your vehicle is legally titled, registered, insured, and properly equipped is a fundamental responsibility of ownership. These requirements are not just administrative hurdles; they are essential for public safety and financial protection in the event of a crash. The driver’s license exam will test your knowledge of insurance minimums and equipment laws, as a safe driver must also be a responsible vehicle owner.

Title, Registration, and Insurance

Before a vehicle can be legally driven on public roads, it must have a valid title, be registered with the state, and be covered by liability insurance.

Vehicle Title vs. Registration

• Title: A Certificate of Title is a legal document that proves ownership of a vehicle. It is like the deed to a house. You must have a title to sell or transfer the vehicle to a new owner. The title should be kept in a safe place, not in the vehicle itself.
• Registration: Registration is the process of officially recording the vehicle with the state’s Department of Revenue, which allows it to be operated on public roads. Upon registration, you receive license plates and a registration certificate. The registration certificate must be carried in the vehicle at all times. New residents have 90 days to register their vehicles in South Dakota.