Why People Get South Dakota Tags Before Moving to Mexico (and How You Can Too)

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In this video, I will explain why many people register their vehicles in South Dakota before bringing them to Mexico -- even if they never lived in that state. I will also give you detailed information about how to register your own vehicles in SD.

Clay County Treasurer 211 W. Main St. Suite 201 Vermillion, SD 57069

FORMS
SD Title Application
Common Questions About the Application
SD Title Transfer Checklist
Dealer Sales Tax Verification
Applicant Tax Verification
ATV Speed Verification (not covered in the video)

[blumobean]

I didn't need this information, but I couldn't resist the title. This is so strange, but SD is smart. They get the cash, without the expense.

[kathydavis]

SD is also a state that allows full timers to have a physical address without acutely owning property, this lets you have a PO Box to receive snail mail and other paperwork and registration of vehicles as your residence. America’s Mailbox Box Elder, SD check them out.

[pdzh]

This ease of registration and license is one if the reasons i moved to SD. I used to be a truck driver for over a decade. While I was trucking my license was about to expire in 2019, so I called my state of CA, they said that they need: 1, 2 forms of proof of residence, my address at the time was my parents address. I cound do that. 2. They needed me to do my vehicle inspection and smog check every year. I was home once every 2 years. That didn't work for me.

Then i found that SD can get you residency and registration in 24 hours. Me and my ex drove to sd and got it all done in 24 hours. We got SD CDL and plates in hand.

Now I moved to SD cuz its beautiful here

[azieltobias]

Living in Oklahoma here and the housing market here over the last 7-8 years is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Homes that were bought for $130K in 2015 are now being sold for $590k. I’m talking about tiny, disgusting, poorly built 950 square foot shit boxes in quite mediocre neighborhoods. Then you’ve got Better, average sized homes in nicer neighborhoods that were $300K+ 10 years ago selling for $750k+ now. Wild times.

[TheTwoTravelersInMexico]

Having done this in South Dakota i can say that the information here is absolutely correct. I can all be done online and the don't need to see your car ever since they have no mandatory smog checks. -Marc

[telcobilly]

I've been running SD tags on my truck and motorcycle for years. Saved a ton of money.. good on SD!

[danieldelrancho]

Actually I did notice that when I was in Los cabos Baja California, I saw hundreds of trucks with South Dakota license plates, I just thought ppl from SD were moving to Mexico in big numbers but now it makes sense

[bauerpro]

It is also possible to get an SD driver's license after spending only ONE night in the state. I moved overseas (not Mexico) last September and swapped out my former state for an SD license after only spending one night there. You arrive in the afternoon, spend the night, and then go to the DMV in the morning (make an appt ahead of time - VERY important). Fill out the paperwork and you can walk out with a SD driver's license in hand. This will make you an SD resident from that moment. Depending on the state that you came from (laws vary from state to state), it is likely that if you have not spent more than 183 days of the current calendar year in your former state, you will be entitled to a full refund of all state taxes paid.

Just did my federal and state taxes for 2023 and listed SD as my residence. I filed a part-time state return with my former state and was already approved for a full refund of all state taxes paid. This is not legal or financial advice. It is just my personal experience and knowledge of how the work the system in your favor.

[basspig]

One of my customers had South Dakota plates and I asked him if he had a second home in South Dakota and he said no. He had them specifically to avoid the excise taxes in our state.

[jonthebru]

I live in Hawaii. For the last few years I have wanted to have a small RV on the mainland but the insurance companies wouldn't allow that because logically the vehicle would never be at its "home". So the SD registration is what works.

[AndreAngelantoni]

The people at Clay County (shout out to Sarah and Danielle) are great to work with. The best part? No emissions or safety tests and renewals can be done over the phone/online.

[shaunhall]

Bob Wells from Cheap RV living shared this information first for the Nomadic community. Love South Dakota!

[TDKK]

This is great info for active duty military members where it's normal and legal to have different state tags on their cars than the state they live in. I have one car tagged with Texas and one with NC where I'm currently stationed. NC has annual taxes (though it can get reimbursed with contacting the local county office with military pay LES) and annoying auto safety inspections. I could get a South Dakota tag and avoid both of those.

[RobEJC]

South Dakota made a deliberate decision to be welcoming to full-time travelers, passing legislation to make it happen. More than just having a car registered there, I'm also a registered voter and have a SD drivers license (which I renewed ON LINE for the first time). I also renew my vehicle registration ON LINE, as well. The annual registration fee is higher than my previous residence, but there is no annual personal property tax and vehicle safety inspections. I use a mail forwarding service, so there is no issue getting all my important DOR/County Treasurer's Office information.

[nmead]

I 'moved' to SD from CO prior to seeking residency in Mexico. I wasn't bringing a car, but I got rid of State Income Tax, only have to renew my ID every 5 years (spend one night), and I have virtual mail service.

[colomex]

already registered 3 cars since i first saw this video.
thank you so much.
new york became dificult to pass inspection so all my 3 cars are now registered in south dakota.
thank you so much for video.
easy process

[govinda]

I always thought SD residents liked to travel. Now I know.

[grrscot]

This was an incredibly helpful video, and answered all questions i had about trying to take a car from Virginia and was wondering who to ask 😊

[irvinwilson]

There used to be a business in Madison, SD that basically did all of this for you, very similar to the privately owned license plate service places in a lot of other states. It was called MyDakotaAddress and they were great. I used them for several years as a full-time RVer. There are others out there now but I can't vouch for them as haven't used them. They work pretty much the same way though. Oddly, the only thing that turned out to be a bit more than what I was used to in AZ was car insurance. I think had something to do with hail and/or deer but that might be something I dreamed.

[Mind_Funeral]

I registered my dirtbike as an on-road motorcycle thru SD. (I don't live in SD). The folks at the Pennington County Treasurer's office are super nice too. That reminds me, I have to call and renew my registration!