South Dakota Motorcycle Info: Insurance, Licensing, Safety, and More
Motorcycle Insurance & Requirements
You will need to have motorcycle insurance. South Dakota law also sets a minimum required amount of:
- Bodily Injury Liability Limit for Individual: $25,000
- Bodily Injury Liability Limit for Every Person in Accident: $50,000
- Property Damage Liability Limit: $25,000
When looking for insurance quotes in South Dakota, you may want to begin by looking at our review of insurance companies or get more detailed information on motorcycle insurance companies from the state regulator's website. You can see the full list of licensed insurers in the state plus get many other useful resources including information on how to file a complaint by visiting the state insurance division web site.
Licensing and Registration
In South Dakota you must pass the vision and knowledge car/truck and motorcycle tests to receive a motorcycle instruction permit . To obtain a Motorcycle License, you must be at least 16 years of age and pass the vision, knowledge (car/truck and motorcycle), and motorcycle driving tests. If a minor is at least 16 years of age, but under 18 years of age, they must complete the requirements of the Instruction Permit and not have been convicted of a traffic violation during the past 6 months prior to obtaining the Motorcycle Operator's License.
Please visit these South Dakota websites for updated and detailed information
Helmet Laws
Riders 17 years and younger are covered by helmet law. Riders who are required to wear a helmet include those under this age in South Dakota. We strongly advocate the use of helmets at all times for all riders and passengers to protect from injuries.
Use our specialized search to find South Dakota motorcycle resources
Motorcycle Safety Schools and Training Programs
Many states offer motorcycle safety training programs and most insurance companies will offer discounts to bikers that have completed a certified course.
Below is a partial list of The Motorcycle Safety Foundation Certified Safety courses in South Dakota. See www.msf-usa.org for a complete and updated list
- Sioux Falls - j & l Harley-davidson
- Aberdeen - City of Aberdeen Parks & Recreation
- Watertown - Westside Entertainment, Inc.
- Brookings - Multi-district Vocational School
- Yankton - Yankton High School
- Wagner - Wagner Community School
- Pierre - Expo Center in Ft. Pierre
- Spearfish - Spearfish High School
Accidents and Safety in South Dakota
According to the National Highway Traffic Association and Federal Highway Administration, in 2008 there were 58,296 motorcycles registered in South Dakota with only 14 motorcycle accident deaths in the state.
| State | Registered Motorcycles | Motorcycle Riders Killed | Percent Helmeted | Percent Not Helmeted | Impaired Riders Killed (BAC=.01+) |
| SD | 58.296 | 14 | 29% | 71% | 21% |
| ND | 31.030 | 12 | 25% | 75% | 51% |
| MN | 248.350 | 64 | 19% | 81% | 44% |
| IA | 181.735 | 48 | 15% | 85% | 22% |
| NE | 43.407 | 19 | 84% | 16% | 39% |
| WY | 30.502 | 17 | 41% | 59% | 23% |
| MT | 112.324 | 32 | 40% | 60% | 31% |
Sweet Rides in South Dakota
Here are some of the designated highways to consider for a ride. Enjoy the beautiful vistas the state has to offer bikers.
- Native American Scenic Byway
- Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway
- Badlands Loop Scenic Byway
- Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
- Wildlife Loop Road Scenic Byway
Useful Resources
Learn about motorcycling in neighboring states
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