Laws and Safety Equipment

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REGISTRATION, NUMBERING, AND DOCUMENTATION

Boat Licensing

Boats over 12 feet long and motorboats of any length, including those using electric trolling motors, must be registered to be operated on public waters.  Boat registration, transferring of boat ownership and replacing lost boat registration stickers are done through County Treasurer offices. 

Boats may be registered for either a 1-year or 3-year period.  Fees are based on the length of boat and the type of propulsion.

Boats registered in another state may operate in South Dakota for 60 days before registration is required in South Dakota. However, nonresident boats docked in South Dakota need to be licensed in South Dakota.

Exemptions From Numbering

The following boats are exempt from numbering:

• A boat covered by a number still in effect which was awarded pursuant to federal law or a federally approved numbering system of another state,
• a boat that has not been in this state for more than sixty days,
• a boat that has not been berthed for a contract period of more than sixty days in marina facilities controlled by this state;
• A boat from a country other than the United States temporarily using the waters of this state;
• A boat whose owner is the United States, a state, or subdivision thereof;
• A racing boat competing in a regatta or boat race approved by the Game, Fish and Parks Commission or operating during a period not to exceed forty-eight hours immediately preceding the race and the remainder of the race day; or
• A boat owned or operated by a person who is participating in a fishing tournament permitted by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks, provided the boat has been issued a temporary boat license valid in South Dakota for a period of ten consecutive days at a fee set by rules promulgated by the Game, Fish and Parks Commission.

Registration And License Decals Required On State Waters

The owner shall attach to each side of the bow of the boat a validation decal. At the time of application for the boat license, the owner shall furnish proof of tax paid on the boat. Boat license validation decals expire on December thirty-first of the terminal year for the period issued. The owner can apply for renewal validation decals as early as October first for the following year.

The registration card must be carried on board whenever the boat is underway!

Registration Of Boats--Application--Proof Of Sales Or Use Tax Payment

A boat requiring numbering by this state shall be registered with the department for either a one-year period or a three-year period. The new owner of the boat shall present a manufacturer's statement of origin or assigned certificate of title if a title has been previously issued for the large boat, or if no title is required, the ownership document issued by that jurisdiction; a bill of sale containing a complete description of the large boat; the purchaser's name and address; the previous owner's name and address; the full purchase price as defined by this chapter and how computed; the trade-in allowance and description of the trade, if any; and any other relevant information the department may require to the county treasurer in the county of the owner's residence or if the new owner is a nonresident to any county treasurer.

Exemptions From Numbering Requirement

• A boat covered by a number still in effect which was awarded pursuant to federal law or a federally approved numbering system of another state, a boat that has not been in this state for more than sixty days, or a boat that has not been berthed for a contract period of more than sixty days in marina facilities controlled by this state;
• A boat from a country other than the United States temporarily using the waters of this state;
• A boat whose owner is the United States, a state, or subdivision thereof;
• A racing boat competing in a regatta or boat race approved by the Game, Fish and Parks Commission or operating during a period not to exceed forty-eight hours immediately preceding the race and the remainder of the race day; or
• A boat owned or operated by a person who is participating in a fishing tournament permitted by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks, provided the boat has been issued a temporary boat license valid in South Dakota for a period of ten consecutive days.

Expiration And Renewal Of Registration And Validation Decals

Each registration and validation decal shall expire on December thirty-first of the terminal year for the period issued. Validation decals may be purchased as early as October first for the following year. The registration may be renewed by the owner and new validation decals obtained.

Application For Title

Any resident of this state who purchases or acquires a large boat shall apply to the county treasurer of such person's residence for a certificate of title for the large boat.

Time Limit For Application Of Title--Form And Content Of Application

Each owner of a large boat shall apply to the county treasurer for issuance of a certificate of title for the large boat within thirty days after acquisition. The application shall contain the date of sale and purchase price of the large boat or the fair market value if no sale immediately preceded the transfer, and any additional information the department requires. If the application is made for a large boat last previously registered or titled in another state or foreign country, the application shall contain information the department requires.

Numbering

Registered boats must display assigned numbers properly. The state will issue you a registration number, which is found on your registration card. The number needs to be displayed in the following manner:

• Numbers must be permanently attached to the forward half of the vessel, generally the bow area.
• At least 3” in height. Block letters and numbers.
• Contrasting in color to the hull (black/white, dark red/white, etc)
• Properly spaced. There must be a separation, greater than the width of the number “1” or the letter “I”, between the prefix (state abbreviation), the numbers, and the suffix.
• The state currency decal must be displayed within 6” of the registration number
• N umbers must be painted or permanently attached.
• With the exception of the state decal, no other letters or numbers may be displayed nearby.

Notification of Changes to a Numbered Vessel

The owner of a vessel must notify the agency which issued the certificate of number within 15 days if:

• The vessel is transferred, destroyed, abandoned, lost, stolen or recovered.
• The certificate of number is lost, destroyed or the owner's address changes.
• If the certificate of number becomes invalid for any reason, it must be surrendered in the manner prescribed to the issuing authority within 15 days.

Hull Identification Number

Any boat whose construction began after October 31, 1972, shall have a hull identification number assigned and affixed.

• The Department of Revenue and Regulation establishes the procedures for application and for issuance of the hull identification number for homebuilt boats.
• No person may destroy, remove, alter, cover, or deface the manufacturer's hull identification number, the plate bearing it, or any hull identification number the department assigns to a boat without the department's permission.
• A person other than a manufacturer who constructs a large boat or uses an unconventional device as a large boat for navigation shall submit an affidavit which describes the large boat or device to the department.
• In cooperation with the county treasurer, the department shall assign a hull identification number to the large boat or device.
• The applicant shall cause the number to be carved, burned, stamped, embossed, or otherwise permanently affixed to the outboard side of the transom or, if there is no transom, to the outermost starboard side at the end of the hull that bears the rudder or other steering mechanism, above the waterline of the boat or device in such a way that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious and evident.

Documented Boats

Boats of at least 5 net tons may apply to the US Coast Guard for documentation.

• Official Documentation MUST be carried onboard a documented vessel at all times.
• A Document serves as a certificate of nationality and an authorization for a trade.
• Documented vessels must comply with all state and federal laws.
• Registration fee and display of validation sticker is required in some states.
• Official number must be permanently affixed to an integral structure of the boat. This number is referred to as the “main beam” number.
• The main beam number must match the official number on the document.
• Name and hailing port of the boat must be displayed at least once anywhere on the hull (most boater display this information on the transom) - at least 4” in height, contrasting in color to the hull.
• Name and hailing port must match information on the official document.
• Any owner whose boat is registered and documented in accordance with United States Coast Guard regulations is not required to display a South Dakota boat number nor obtain a South Dakota certificate of title on the boat. However, if the boat is used on the waters of this state the boat shall be registered and shall display South Dakota boat license validation decals.

Periodically check to see that all numbers and decals are in good condition. A missing or improperly display number is a good reason for a law enforcement officer to stop you.