Five records that make South Dakota ask for proof
The Department of Public Safety reinstatement article names the cases. You need proof of financial responsibility after a revocation or suspension that follows one of these.
- A court judgment against you.
- A conviction for no insurance.
- Vehicular homicide.
- A DUI conviction.
- A second reckless driving offense within one year.
Until that proof is on file, you cannot drive or re-register any vehicle in the state. DPS says most motorists meet the rule with an SR22 filing from their auto insurer.
Three years, then a clean record lets the filing go
After a conviction for failing to maintain insurance, DPS sets the SR-22 at three years from the date of conviction. The conviction itself is a Class 2 misdemeanor, listed as 30 days in county jail, a $100 fine or both. It also suspends your license for 30 days to one year.
The release rule sits in SDCL 32-35-95. Three years after proof was first required, DPS consents on request to cancel the certificate. That works only if no conviction in those three years would allow a new suspension. Proof also ends if you surrender your license and registration to the department.
The 25/50/25 figure behind the certificate
State law defines proof as the ability to pay for crashes that happen after the proof takes effect. SDCL 32-35-2 sets $25,000 for injury or death of one person. Two or more people in one crash are covered to $50,000, and damage to others' property to $25,000.
Under SDCL 32-35-65, the certificate comes from an insurer authorized in South Dakota. It lists every vehicle covered, unless the policy belongs to someone who owns no vehicle. That exception is why a non-owner policy works when you have no car. The policy and the certificate carry the same effective date.
Skipping the policy: a bond or a cash deposit
SDCL 32-35-64 allows four kinds of proof. You can file an insurance certificate, a surety bond, a certificate of deposit of money or securities, or a certificate of self-insurance.
The deposit route runs through the state treasurer. SDCL 32-35-87 sets it at $25,000 in cash, or securities with a market value of $30,000. The treasurer returns the deposit once a release event in SDCL 32-35-95 applies, such as the three clean years.
Fifteen days: the insurer's deadline when coverage ends
If a certified policy is cancelled or terminated, the insurer files written notice with DPS within fifteen days. That duty comes from SDCL 32-35-80, and breaking it is a Class 2 misdemeanor. A newly certified policy ends the old certification on its own effective date for vehicles named in both.
The cost of a missing filing is steep. DPS suspends your vehicle registration, your license plates and your driver's license.
Paying to reinstate once the suspension ends
DPS charges a reinstatement fee on top of the license application fee. Its driver license fee table lists reinstatement fees of $75 to $225, depending on your circumstances. DPS asks drivers to email or call to learn their exact amount. After a revocation, you also retake the vision and knowledge tests. You can check your license status online without phoning.