South Dakota Motorcycle Insurance

Motorcycle Insurance Coverage Requirements in South Dakota

• Minimum Liability Limits in SD: 25/50/25 ^[2]
• • 25  Required coverage up to $25,000 for one individual injured in an accident
  • 50  Required coverage up to $50,000 for all persons injured in an accident
  • 25  Required coverage up to $25,000 for property damage in an accident

• Insurer Verification of Insurance in SD ^[2]
• • Insurer must notify Department of Motor Vehicles or other state agency of cancellation or nonrenewal.

South Dakota Motorcycle Insurance Liability Requirements

Mandatory motorcycle insurance coverage for riders in the state of South Dakota.

• Motorcycle Insurance Requirements in SD ^[2]
• • Bodily injury liability coverage
  • Property damage liability coverage
  • Uninsured motorist coverage
  • Underinsured motorist coverage

Motorcycle Helmet Laws in South Dakota

• • Motorcycle helmets required for 17 and younger. ^[3]

Motorcycle License Regulations in South Dakota ^[4]

Detailed information about South Dakota laws and regulations regarding obtaining and maintaining a motorcycle license in the state.

• Motorcycle License Laws in SD
• • A person may not operate a motorcycle, except a moped, without a motor vehicle driver's license or permit upon which a state testing officer has certified that such person is qualified to operate the motorcycle. However, the operator of a moped must have a valid motor vehicle operator's license or permit.
  • The Department may waive the motorcycle testing requirements upon completion of an approved motorcycle safety course.
  • Any minor who has successfully completed the Department approved motorcycle safety education courses, and a driver education course of another state that the Secretary of Public Safety has determined is acceptable, can qualify for a restricted minor's permit in 30 days.
  • A motorcycle restricted minor's permit may be issued, upon application and payment of the proper fee, to a minor who is at least 14 years of age but less than 18 years of age. The applicant must have successfully passed all applicable tests and completed the requirements of an instruction permit and must have not been convicted of any traffic violation during the previous 6 months.

Motorcycle Equipment Laws in South Dakota ^[4]

Various regulations and laws in South Dakota regarding riders and passengers of motorcycles, as well as the equipment used on bikes.

• Motorcycle Equipment Laws in SD
• • All persons under the age of 18 must wear motorcycle safety helmets that are approved by the Department of Transportation. A person riding in an enclosed cab attached to a motorcycle does not have to wear a safety helmet.
  • A motorcycle operator must wear an eye protective device unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen of sufficient height and design that protects the motorcycle operator. When headlights are required to be on, a motorcycle operator cannot wear protective eye devices that are tinted or shaded to reduce the light transmission of the device below 35%.
  • Passenger footrest required if carrying a passenger.
  • The handlebars of a motorcycle must be no higher than the shoulder height of the person operating the motorcycle.
  • Motorcycles must have at least 1 tail lamp, which when lighted emits a red light visible for a distance of 500 feet.