SOUTH DAKOTA PLATE TYPES - SUMMARY CHRONOLOGICALLY BY INTRODUCTION DATE
(Types researched through 1990)
PLATE TYPE EARLIEST SEEN BEGAN NOTES
Passenger 1913 7/1/13 Ch. 276 P 3/13/1913
Dealer 1913 7/1/13 Ch. 276 P 3/13/1913
Motorcycle 1913 7/1/13 Ch. 276 P 3/13/1913
Blank Listed 1915 order
Temporary (Cardboard) 1917
Lost 1922 1918? Listed 1920
M/C Dealer 1938 1920? Ch. 266 P 3/14/1919
Public Owned 1928 1920 Ch. 266 P 3/14/1919
Truck 1920 1920 Ch. 266 P 3/14/1919
Sample 1924
(City Use Tractor (1939 chart)
City Use Trailer (1939 chart)7/1/31 Ch. 183 P 3/11/1931
City Use Truck (1939 chart)7/1/31 Ch. 183 P 3/11/1931
Highway Maintenance Truck 1934 7/1/31 Ch. 183 P 3/11/1931
Mine & Sawmill Truck 1935 7/1/31 Ch. 183 P 3/11/1931
Seasonal Bus (1939 chart)7/1/31 Ch. 183 P 3/11/1931
Trailer 1931 7/1/31 Ch. 183 P 3/11/1931
Tax Exempt 1932 1932
Special/Implement 1948 1933? Ch. 148 P 3/9/1933
Special Event 1940 1940 No law
Ambulance/Hearse 1951 1940? Listed 1941
Bus 1949 Listed 1941
City Use Bus 1956 Listed 1941
House Trailer 1949 1949
Tax Exempt Trailer 1953 Listed 1949
Amateur Radio 1953 7/1/53 Ch. 241 P 3/3/1953
House Trailer Dealer 1953 1953? Ch. 234 P 3/2/1951
U.S. Represent./Senator 1954
Unknown Type (70) 1954 Only year seen
Special Dealer (77) 1955 7/1/55 Ch. 163 P 2/21/1955
Combination License 1956 1956 Ch. 189 P 3/9/1955
Historical UND. 1956? Ch. 190 P 2/17/1955
Commercial Radio 1959 Ch. 186 P 3/1/1955
Trailer Identification UND. Ch. 189 P 3/9/1955
Governor/Lt. Governor 1957 Reported in 1955
Mine & Sawmill Trailer (1962 chart) Listed 1957
Highway Maint. Trailer 1959
Prorate Sticker 1960 1960
Commercial Television (1962 chart)1962?
Prorate Trailer 1963 Ch. 237 P 2/25/1961
Prorate Truck 1964 Ch. 237 P 2/25/1961
Trailer Dealer 1968 1965? Ch. 205 P 3/9/1965
Construction Equip. Tlr. 1967 Ch. 275 P 3/1/1963
Construction Equip. Trk. 1968 Ch. 275 P 3/1/1963
Paraplegic 1967 7/1/66 Ch. 134 P 1/26/1966
National Guard 1968 1968 Ch. 212 P 3/6/1967
Comm. Fertilizer Trailer 1969 1969 Ch. 174 P 3/14/1969
Comm. Fertilizer Truck 1969 1969 Ch. 174 P 3/14/1969
Truck Dealer (88) 1969 Ch. 169 P 2/10/1968
Tax Exempt SH Trailer UND. Reported 1970
State Highway Patrol UND. Reported 1971
Snowmobile (Decal) 1974 7/1/71 Ch. 182 P 3/16/1971
Snowmobile Dealer (Decal) 1971 7/1/71 Ch. 182 P 3/16/1971
Snow. Tax Exempt (Decal) 1973
Farm Truck 1973 1/1/73 Ch. 174 P 2/17/1972
Handicapped 1975 7/1/74 Ch. 211 P 2/20/1974
Tax Exempt Bus UND.
Apportioned Trailer 1977 1975
Apportioned Truck 1975 1975
Combination License Bus 1976
Personalized 1977 7/1/77 Ch. 250 P 3/10/1977
Personalized Handicapped 1977?
Tax Exempt Tribal UND. 1977
Commercial 1979 1978 Ch. 249 P 3/21/1977
Disabled Veteran 1980 1980 Ch. 216 P 2/8/1980
Rental Trailer 3-31-81
Former Prisoner of War "85" 7/1/82 Ch. 232 P 2/3/1982
Unknown Type (XX) 1985
Pearl Harbor Survivor 1987 1987 Ch. 246 P 2/18/1986
Firefighter "11-92" 1989 Ch. 261 P 2/21/1989
Personalized M/C 1991 Ch. 260 P 2/17/1989
PERMITS:
Compensation 1934/35 7/1/33 Ch. 139 P 3/7/1933
Reciprocity 1960
Sign Permit UND. 1/1/68 Ch. 118 P 3/16/1967
LETTER KEY: (All other letters/years are Passenger)
AH Ambulance/Hearse 1962-77 IM Special/Implement 1957-77
CF Commercial Fertilizer Truck 1969-77 L Lost 1922-23
CL Combination License 1956-77 MS Mine and Sawmill Truck 1967
CO Tax Exempt County 1956-63 MST Mine and Sawmill Trailer 1957-80
CY Tax Exempt City 1956-63 O Public Owned 1928-31
CTR City Use Trailer 1962-80 PAR Paraplegic 1967-73
CUT City Use Truck 1956-77 R U.S. Representative 1954-55
D Dealer 1913-65 S U.S. Senator 1954-55,
GV Tax Exempt U.S. Government 1956-63 Tax Exempt State 1956-63
HM Highway Maintenance Truck 1957-77 SC Tax Exempt School 1956-63
HMT Highway Maintenance Trailer 1962-80 T Truck 1920-27
DETAILED NOTES ALPHABETICALLY BY TYPE:
Numbers assumed to begin at #1 unless noted.
Passenger colors unless noted.
Passenger graphic base issued for all types 1976-80 unless noted.
1943: Tab - All types (3 versions)
Passenger and Truck - horizontal date, hole above "4"
Motorcycle - vertical date center, hole between "3" and 4"
Trailer - vertical date left, hole top center
Windshield sticker - Compensation
1944: Windshield sticker - all types except below
Tab - Dealer
New plate - Motorcycle, M/C Dealer, Trailer
1945-47: Windshield sticker - Passenger front only
1958-59: Tab - All types assumed
1956-73, 1975: Rushmore graphic only on Passenger, Amateur Radio,
Commercial Radio, Commercial Television, Dealer,
Paraplegic, Special Dealer, Truck Dealer,
U.S. Representative/Senator unless noted.
1974: Rushmore graphic on all full-size types.
1975: "SOUTH DAKOTA 75" bottom, non-graphic all full-size types
except Passenger, Bus and Truck.
PASSENGER (See Passenger page)
AMATEUR RADIO
Ch. 241 P 3/3/1953. Began 7/1/1953. $2 extra fee 1953.
152 issued 1953, 132 as of 6/30/54, 196 as of 6/30/56.
Personalized stickers issued 1988.
1953 W0AA - W0ZZZ
1966 K0AAA - K0ZZZ (Verify 1958-65)
1965 WA0AAA - WA0ZZZ (Verify 1963-64)
1973 WB0AAA - WB0ZZZ
AMBULANCE/HEARSE
Registration figures begin 1940. Earliest seen 1951.
(As of 1939, hearses not required to register or display plates.)
100 pairs ordered 1941-42.
Discontinued 1978; replaced by Truck plates.
LEGENDS: "SOUTH DAKOTA" top, vertical "AMB" prefix, vertical "42" right 1942,
Passenger design with vertical "AMB" left 1948, 1951, 1954, 1956-59,
no legend, "AH" prefix 1960-77.
1951 161 1961 1969 AH-106
1952 1962 AH-229* 1970 AH-282*
1953 1963 1971 AH-134
1954 188 1964 AH-121 1972 AH-297*
1955 1965 AH-224* 1973 AH-166*
1956 213 1966 1974 AH-250*
1957-59 108 1967 AH-144 1975
1960 AH-164 1968 AH-298* 1976-77 (AH-1976 ??)
APPORTIONED TRAILER
Began 1975. Previously issued Prorate Trailer plates.
Red/White 1977, Green/White 1978.
1978 seen with White/Green vertical "PERM" sticker.
Reported 1986 dated, Permanent by 1990?
LEGENDS: "SOUTH DAKOTA/APPORTIONED TLR." top left, "77" top right 1977-78.
APPORTIONED TRUCK
Began 1975. Previously issued Prorate Truck plates.
LEGENDS: "SOUTH DAKOTA" top, "19 APPORTIONED 75" bottom 1975-89.
COLORS: Red/White 1975, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1989,
Blue/White 1976, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1987,
Green/White 1978, 1981, 1988.
APPORTIONED TLR. APPORTIONED TRUCK
1975 PR-3517 -
1976 PR-1255 - PR-5456
1977 10746 - PR-2229 - PR-4047
1978 13627 - 17364 PR-3441 - PR-3969
1979 PR-1152 - PR-6700
1980 PR-2726 - PR-5217
1981 PR-1926 - PR-6193
1982 PR-5218 - PR-6199
1983 PR-5445 - PR-6900
1984 PR-4231 - PR-7483
1985 PR-1715 - PR-8244
1986 PR-3056 - PR-8301
1987 PR-4145 - PR-7402
1988 PR-1513 - PR-6440
1989 P/R-05872 - 08945
BLANK
Listed on 1915 plate order as 100 "blanks". None seen.
It is unknown if they were planned for additional dealer sets,
lost plates, or some other purpose.
BUS
Registration figures begin 1928, but Bus not listed on plate orders
for 1928, 1929 or 1930. Ch. 183 P 3/11/1931 provided for Bus fees.
Fees listed 1939, but type not shown on 1939 chart.
100 pairs ordered 1941-42. Earliest seen 1949.
In 1978, also issued Red/White sticker "SOUTH DAKOTA - COMM.- 7 T/O/N"
to cover up state name bottom center. Discontinued 1978.
LEGENDS: "BUS" prefix 1942,
vertical "SD" left, vertical "48" right, "BUS" top 1948,
or passenger design with vertical "BUS" left 1948,
vertical "BUS" left 1949, 1951, 1955,
vertical "BUS" prefix 1956-77 (Graphic base 1975).
COLORS: White/Maroon 1958 TAB, Black/Orange 1959 TAB.
1949 269
1955 291 1964 200 1971 687*
1956 344 1965 235 1972
1957-59 330 1966 292 1973 649
1960 1967 495 1974 741*
1961 370 1968 1975 450
1962 1969 564 1976-77 763
1963 383 1970
CITY USE BUS
Ch. 183 P 3/11/1931 provided for City Use Bus fees.
Fees listed 1939, but type not shown on 1939 chart.
50 pairs ordered 1941. Earliest seen 1956.
LEGENDS: "CU" left followed by vertical "BUS" 1956, 1970-71.
1956 CU 145
1970 CU 160
1971 CU 240
(CITY USE TRACTOR
Ch. 193 P 3/11/1931 provided for City Use Tractor fees.
Type shown on 1939 chart, with legends same as City Use Truck
except "TRACTOR" in place of "TRUCK". Issuance doubtful since
no other tractor types have ever been seen or listed. Not
listed 1941-42, 1962. Would have been issued to tractors used
exclusively within corporate limits of any city or town.)
CITY USE TRAILER
Ch. 183 P 3/11/1931. Began 7/1/1931. Earliest seen 1939 chart.
Earliest seen 1971. Issued to trailers used exclusively within
corporate limits of any city or town.
Full size plates all years. 10 singles ordered 1941-42.
LEGENDS: Vertical "SD" left, vertical "39" right, large "TRAILER" bottom left,
small "CITY/USE ONLY" bottom right 1939,
no legend, "CTR" prefix 1962-80.
1971 CTR-142
1976-80 CTR-19
CITY USE TRUCK
Ch. 183 P 3/11/1931. Began 7/1/1931. Earliest seen 1939 chart.
Earliest seen 1956. Issued to trucks used exclusively within
corporate limits of any city or town. 25 pairs ordered 1941.
Discontinued 1978; replaced by Truck plates.
LEGENDS: Vertical "SD" left, vertical "39" right, large "TRUCK" bottom left,
small "CITY/USE ONLY" bottom right 1939,
no legend, "CU" prefix, small "T" center 1956-74,
no legend, "CUT" prefix 1976-77.
1956 CU T 149
1967 CU T 258
1971 CU T 240
1974 CU T 198
1976-77 (CUT-76 ??)
COMBINATION LICENSE
Ch. 189 P 3/9/1955. Began 1956.
Issued to commercial trucks towing two trailers.
Discontinued 1978; replaced by Commercial plates.
LEGENDS: No legend, "CL" prefix 1956-62, 1971, 1976-77.
1956 CL-279
1971 CL-145
1976-77 (CL-76 ??)
COMBINATION LICENSE BUS
Earliest seen 1976-80 base, "CL" left, vertical "BUS" prefix, #76.
COMMERCIAL (See Truck page)
Ch. 249 P 3/21/1977, E 1/1/1978. Earliest seen 1979.
COMMERCIAL FERTILIZER TRAILER
Ch. 174 P 3/14/1969. Began 1969.
Red/White 1975, Blue/White 1976.
LEGENDS: Small size Trailer plate, "CF" prefix 1969, 1971, 1975-76.
1969 CF-1741
1971 CF-3093
1975 CF-4128
1976 CF-1871
COMMERCIAL FERTILIZER TRUCK
Ch. 174 P 3/14/1969. Began 1969.
Discontinued 1978; replaced by Truck plates.
LEGENDS: Full size, "CF" prefix 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975-77.
1969 CF-5100 -
1971 CF-5086 -
1973 CF-1234 -
1975 CF-5431 -
1976-77 CF-5411 - (CF-1776 ??)
COMMERCIAL RADIO
Ch. 186 P 3/1/1955. Listed 1957. Earliest seen 1959.
Limit of 6 plates per station, although "7" seen 1976-80.
1959 KORN-1, KCCR:2 1970 KBFS:3
1960 WNAX:5 1972 KWYR:2
1961 KELO:5 1976-80 KOBH:7
1967 KGFX:5 1981-86 KIXX:4
1969 KWYR:4
COMMERCIAL TELEVISION
Earliest seen 1962 chart. May have begun 1962, as 1961
#KELO:5, a television station, seen without "TV" on it.
Station call letters followed by vertical "TV" and two vertical
stars, number or letter suffix. Limit of 6 plates per station.
1965 KXAB T/V:L
1967 KDOL T/V:2
1968 KELO T/V:0
CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT TRAILER
Ch. 275 P 3/1/1963. Listed 1966. Earliest seen 1967.
LEGENDS: Small size, vertical "SD" left, vertical "67" right, "CONSTR." top 1967, 1970-71, 1976.
1967 1492
1970 1534
1971 1650
1976 1020
CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT TRUCK
Ch. 275 P 3/1/1963. Listed 1966. Earliest seen 1968.
Red/White 1975, Blue/White 1976, 1978.
LEGENDS: "S.DAK.(CONST.) 68" top 1968-69, 1971-73, 1975-76, 1978.
1968 221 1973 123
1969 180 1975 245
1971 378 1976 252 (1776 ??)
1972 375 1978 331
DEALER
Ch. 276 P 3/13/1913. Began 7/1/1913. Last seen 1965.
May have merged into Special Dealer (77) by 1970.
LEGENDS: No legend, "D" prefix all years. (No slogan 1939, non-graphic 1952-65.)
COLORS: Yellow/Black 1942, White/Red 1944 TAB, Black/Orange 1959 TAB.
1913: Fee $10 for 1 pair, $1 for each additional pair.
1920: Fee $25 for 3 pairs.
ORDERED: 1914 1,500 pairs
1915 600 pairs
1920 1,200 sets (3 pairs) [1 - 1200]
1928-31 1,150 sets (3 pairs)
1935 500 sets (3 pairs)
1937 600 sets
1941 800 sets (3 pairs)
1942 830 sets (3 pairs)
1913 D746- 1931 D462 1950 D 670
1914 D409- 1932 D503 1951 D 274
1915 D342- 1933 D 4 1952 D 480
1916 D 594 1934 1953 D 996
1917 D-924- 1935 1954 D 639
1918 D-294- (D-2-) 1936 D 181 1955 D 818
1919 D1143 1937 D 176 1956 D 768
1920 D1000 1938 1957-59 D 1000
1921 D415 1939 D-622 1960 D 496
1922 D 94 1940 D 742 1961 D 894
1923 D 175 1941 D 824 1962 D 444
1924 D 699 1942-44 D 263 1963 D 747
1925 1944 TAB 98 1964 D 448
1926 D 717 1945 D 134 1965 D 371
1927 D 727 1946 D 688 1966
1928 D 81 1947 D 967 1967
1929 D698 1948 D 1061 1968
1930 D983 1949 D 983 1969
DISABLED VETERAN
Ch. 216 P 2/8/1980. Began 1980.
LEGENDS: Flat except serial, four white stars on blue band left,
six white stripes on red band right with red "80" or blue "87",
county sticker top, vertical "DISABLED" near left,
vertical "VETERAN" near right.
COLORS: Red (serial and stickers) and Blue (legends)/White.
1980-86: "SOUTH DAKOTA" on red sticker bottom or top, #113 - 288
1987-91: Same but Blue script "South Dakota" bottom, #278 - 1688
(Disabled American Veteran 1987 flat base #D/A/V 002, 999 are prototypes.)
FARM TRUCK
Ch. 174 P 2/17/1972. Began 1/1/1973. Discontinued 1974.
County codes same as passenger 1973. (Verify F,N,O,Q,R suffix)
1973 FORMATS: 1F-000A - 9F-999A, 10F-00A - 64F-99S
FIREFIGHTER
Ch. 261 P 2/21/1989. Began 1989. Earliest seen "11-92" sticker,
all screened except serial, Maltese crosses left and right,
vertical "FF" prefix, "South Dakota FIREFIGHTER" above Mt. Rushmore
graphic bottom, Red ("FF" and serial) and Blue/White, #0032 - 1969.
FORMER PRISONER OF WAR
Ch. 232 P 2/3/1982. Began 7/1/1982.
Renewed with personalized stickers 1985.
1982-86: Flat, "19", county sticker and "82" top, "SOUTH DAKOTA" bottom,
U.S. Flag left, "PRISONER/OF/WAR" center, #02 - 171.
1987-91: Flat, "19 Prisoner of War 87" top, "South Dakota 1889-1989" and
Mt. Rushmore graphic bottom, U.S. Flag left, stepped "POW" center, #202 - 438.
GOVERNOR/LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
In 1939, Governor Harland J. Bushfield was issued #30-1000, and in 1942
he was assigned State #1.
Governor reported in 1955 as having #1. Earliest seen 1957.
As of 1963, #1 issued to Governor for use on the state-owned limousine.
LEGENDS: No legend, #1 = Governor, #2 = Lieutenant Governor.
1957, 1966-90 1
1973-86 2
HANDICAPPED
Ch. 211 P 2/20/1974. Began 7/1/1974. Earliest seen 1975.
Previously issued Paraplegic plates.
LEGENDS: No legend, wheelchair inside box left before hyphen if any 1974-91.
1974
1975 180
1976-80 19, 76, 144, 160, 303, 392, 409
(111, 276 have wheelchair at right - for trucks?)
1981-86 2148
1987-91 2809 (739, 2809 have stars, 2469 no stars)
HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE TRAILER
Fees listed 1939. Earliest seen undated 1959 base.
Full size plates all years.
LEGENDS: No legend, "HMT" prefix 1959-80.
UND. 1959 BASE HMT-412
1967 HMT-405 1971 HMT-482 1975
1968 HMT-993 1972 1976-80 HMT-19
1969 HMT-256 1973
1970 HMT-758 1974 HMT-689, HMT-A65
HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE TRUCK
Ch. 183 P 3/11/1931. Began 7/1/1931. Earliest seen 1934.
Issued to trucks used exclusively in highway construction or repair.
100 pairs ordered 1941, 110 pairs ordered 1942.
Discontinued 1978; replaced by Commercial plates.
LEGENDS: Vertical "34" left, vertical "SD" right, large "TRUCK" bottom left,
small "HY./MAINT." bottom right 1934,
vertical "SD" left, vertical "39" right, large "TRUCK" bottom left,
small "HY./MAINT." bottom right 1939,
vertical "53" left, vertical "SD" right, large "TRUCK" top left,
small "HY/MAINT" top right 1953-54,
vertical "SD" left, vertical "55" right, large "TRUCK" top left,
small "HY/MAINT" top right 1955,
no legend, "HM" prefix 1957-77.
1934 1463
1953 427 1957-58 HMt403 (1958 TAB White/Maroon)
1954 273
1955 563, A29
1965 HM-1326 1969 HM-2873 1973 HM-3443
1966 HM-2122 1970 HM-3065 1974 HM-3344
1967 HM-3711 1971 HM-2648 1975 HM-3477
1968 HM-3520 1972 HM-3103 1976-77 HM-3457
HISTORICAL
Ch. 190 P 2/17/1955. 133 issued as of 6/30/1956.
Permanent undated plate issued for $10 fee to vehicles over 30
years old and used for limited purposes.
LEGENDS: Large "HISTORICAL" top left, small "PERMA-/NENT" top right,
vertical "SD" prefix followed by 2 vertical stars.
COLORS: Orange/Black.
Type 1: 1956-62 dies 1 - 797 (797 P)
Type 2: 1963-75/1976+ dies 896 - 9325 (8,430 P)
(Graphic B746)
HOUSE TRAILER
Began 1949. Numbers probably began at #H 1000.
LEGENDS: Small size Trailer plate with "H" prefix 1949-53, 1955-56, 1960-80, 1988,
small size Trailer plate with "HOUSE" below "TRAILER" 1957-59.
COLORS: Same as Trailer all years including 1974-80, 1988.
1963 #H-7209 Black/Green.
1949 H 2606 1962 H-7012 1974 H-19177*
1950 H 2742 1963 H-6705 1975 H-18820*
1951 H 2887 1964 H-2890 1976 H-20120*
1952 H 2902 1965 H-7989* 1977-79 H-18640
1953 H 1153 1966 H-7968* 1980-83 H-21968
1954 1967 H-9326* 1984
1955 H 1154 1968 H-8476 1985
1956 H 5087 1969 H-10822* 1986
1957-59 7757 1970 H-9625 1987
UND. 12130 1971 H-10079 1988 H-4345
1960 H-7705* 1972 H-15775 1989
1961 1973 H-18052 1990-91
HOUSE TRAILER DEALER
Ch. 234 P 3/2/1951. Registration figures begin 1953.
Earliest seen 1953. Small size Trailer plate all years.
Set of 3 seen 1970. "Pair" seen 1972. Blue/White 1978.
LEGENDS: "D" prefix, "HOUSE" below number 1953,
"HTD" prefix 1962 (reported 1962-67),
"MHD" prefix 1968-73.
1953 D 31* 1971 MHD-9
1968 MHD-93 1972 MHD-153
1969 MHD-73 1973 MHD-11, MHD-A13
1970 MHD-71 1978 MHD-A87
LOST
Registration figures begin 1918. Earliest seen 1922.
#1 - 1299 "dollars numbers" listed 1920 ($1 replacement fee).
2,000 pairs ordered 1924. Numbers began at #L 1 1925.
783 pairs issued by 6/30/1924, 685 issued as of 6/1/1925.
Discontinued 7/1/1925; temporary 20-day cardboard plates issued
while replacement of original number manufactured.
1922 L14242
1923 L 2-099 - L 4-200
1924 L 4-331
MINE AND SAWMILL TRAILER
Ch. 183 P 3/11/1931 provided for Mine and Sawmill Trailer fees.
Fees listed 1939 but type not shown on 1939 chart.
Not listed 1941-42. Listed 1957. Earliest seen 1962 chart.
Earliest seen 1976. Full size plates all years.
LEGENDS: No legend, "MST" prefix 1957-80.
1976-80 (MST-76 ??)
MINE AND SAWMILL TRUCK
Ch. 183 P 3/11/1931. Began 7/1/1931. Earliest seen 1935.
Issued to trucks used exclusively for transportation of materials
and products to the vehicle owner's mine or saw mill.
10 pairs ordered 1941, 60 pairs ordered 1942.
Discontinued 1978; replaced by Truck plates.
LEGENDS: Vertical "SD" left, vertical "35" right, large "TRUCK" bottom left,
small "MINE/SAWMILL" bottom right 1935-39,
vertical "SD" left, vertical "51" right, large "TRUCK" top left,
small "MINE/SAWMILL" top right 1951,
vertical "54" left, vertical "SD" right, large "TRUCK" top left,
small "MINE/SAWMILL" top right 1954,
large "MS" left followed by small "T" center 1959, 1962.
(Listed as "MS" 1957, reported as "MS T" prefix 1956-62,
"MS" 1967-on. Samples: 1967 MS-000, 1968 MS T 000.)
1935 2309 1951 114
1936 2306 - 2309 1952
1937 2304 1953
1938 2308 1954 126
1959 MSt137 (1959 TAB Orange/Blue 621525)
MOTORCYCLE (See Motorcycle page)
Ch. 276 P 3/13/1913. Began 7/1/1913.
MOTORCYCLE DEALER
Ch. 266 P 3/14/1919. Registration figures begin 1920.
Listed on 1928, 1935 and 1937 plate orders but not 1929-31.
20 sets ordered 1937. Earliest seen 1938. Triples seen 1971-77.
1976 #MD76 also seen.
Blue/White 1976, 1980, 1986, Red/White 1977, 1979, 1985.
1937 1954 1972 D-126
1938 D15 1955 D 16 1973 D-150
1939 1956 D 14 1974 D-65
1940 D 9 1957-59 D 12 1975 D-15
1941 D 8 1960 D 14 1976 D-55
1942-43 1961 D 14 1977 D-149
1944 1962 D 14 1978 MD-15
1945 1963 D 47 1979 D-114
1946 D16 1964 D 21 1980 MD-81
1947 D 16 1965 D 1 1981 D-15
1948 D 21 1966 D 1 1982
1949 D 16 1967 D-147* 1983
1950 1968 D 146 1984 D-1
1951 D 16 1969 D 143* 1985 D-1
1952 D 16 1970 D-115 1986 D-1
1953 D 42 1971 D-146
NATIONAL GUARD
Ch. 212 P 3/6/1967. Began 1968. $1.50 extra fee.
Numbers began at 1000 1968-84. Annual plates 1976-84.
Renewed with personalized stickers 1986, 1989, passenger stickers 1991.
LEGENDS: "SOUTH DAKOTA" top, "19 NATIONAL GUARD 68" bottom,
soldier graphic left, fighter jet graphic right 1968-78,
same but no "19" 1979-84, same but no dates 1986-91.
COLORS: Passenger colors 1968-73,
Blue/White 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986-91,
Red/White 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983.
1968 3054* 1975 3714 1982 4472
1969 3193* 1976 3522 1983 3564
1970 2143* 1977 3770 1984 2573
1971 2525* 1978 3781 1985?
1972 2599* 1979 3493 1986-91 4911
1973 2441* 1980 4948
1974 4520 1981 3914
PARAPLEGIC
Ch. 134 P 1/26/1966. Began 7/1/1966. Earliest seen 1967.
Discontinued mid-1974; replaced by Handicapped.
LEGENDS: No legend, "PAR" prefix 1966-73.
(1969 non-graphic, all other years graphic)
1966 1969 PAR-145 1972 PAR-168
1967 PAR-195 1970 PAR-143 1973 PAR-174
1968 PAR-196 1971 PAR-174 1974
PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR
Ch. 246 P 2/18/1986. Began 1987.
1987-91: Flat, "19", county sticker and "87" top, "South Dakota REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR" bottom,
"PEARL HARBOR/SURVIVOR" left above seal with eagle and rocket above
"DEC. 7, 1941", Red, Blue and Brown/White and Gold, #10 - 99.
PERSONALIZED
Ch. 250 P 3/10/1977. Began 7/1/1977 with 1977 sticker on 1976 base.
2-6 characters allowed for $50 initial fee and $35 renewal fee.
Unique stickers issued 1982-89, at least: 1985 Green/White, 1986 and
1988 Red/White, 1989 Blue/White.
(1971 and 1973 pre-personalized #BUD seen; souvenirs made for B. G.
"Bud" Welch, Director of Motor Vehicles. Also, 1973 #GENE seen.)
PERSONALIZED HANDICAPPED
Earliest seen 1976-80 base, wheelchair inside box left before hyphen,
#GIMP.
PERSONALIZED MOTORCYCLE
Ch. 260 P 2/17/1989. Earliest seen 1991.
PRORATE STICKER
Began 1960. Stickers issued to trailers and truck tractors using
prorate backing plate. Last seen 1973.
PRORATE TRAILER
Ch. 237 P 2/25/1961. Shown 1962 chart but undated. Earliest seen
1963. Discontinued 1975; replaced by Apportioned Trailer.
LEGENDS: Full size plate, "S.DAK. TR 63" top, "PR" prefix 1963-74.
PRORATE TRUCK
Ch. 237 P 2/25/1961. Shown 1962 chart but undated. Earliest seen
1964. Discontinued 1975; replaced by Apportioned Truck.
LEGENDS: Full size plate, "S.DAK. TK 64" top, "PR" prefix 1964-74.
PRORATE TRAILER PRORATE TRUCK
1963 PR-2013 -
1964 PR-3540 - PR-888 - PR-1370
1965 PR-2880 - PR-906 -
1966
1967 PR-1649 -
1968 PR-3319 - PR-1008 -
1969 PR-3161 - PR-3568 PR-881 - PR-1641
1970
1971 PR-3748 - PR-3749
1972
1973 PR-909 -
1974 PR-4775 - PR-8621 PR-79 - PR-599
PUBLIC OWNED
Ch. 266 P 3/14/1919. Began 1920, #01 - 01000 listed.
Issued to state-owned and federal-owned vehicles 1920.
Ch. 224 P 2/24/1923 expanded issuance to vehicles owned by
counties, municipalities and school districts.
Earliest seen 1928. (1922 #S00523 repaint seen; uncertain prefix.)
1,000 pairs ordered 1928-30, 1,100 pairs ordered 1931.
Discontinued 1932; replaced by Tax Exempt (City, County, Federal,
School District and State).
1928 0846
1930 0994
1931 0819
RENTAL TRAILER
Earliest seen "EXP. 3-31-81". Small size, "RENTAL TRAILER"
above "EXP. 3-31-81" top, vertical "SD" left, Red/White, #1074.
Possibly a 5-year or longer base issued in 1976 or earlier.
Also seen: Small size, Trailer design and colors except screened
"EXPIRES/83" top, #UH-332.
SAMPLE
Earliest seen 1924. 100 pairs ordered 1928. (Verify 1943 Tab)
1918 #00300 sent to Maine Secretary of State in 1918.
1924, 1926, 1950-52 00-000
1925, 1927, 1932, 1934-35, 1961, 1963, 1966 0-0000
1928-29, 1931, 1933, 1936-42, 1945-49 00-0000
1930 4-0000, 00-9999
1950 00-H92
1953 00-0123, 00-5678
1954 00-0012
1954-57 00-1234
1958-60, 1962-75 0-00000
1960 0-12345
1976-80 SA-MPLE, SAMPLE
1981-86 AAA:000
1987-91 0AA 000
SEASONAL BUS
Ch. 183 P 3/11/1931. Began 7/1/1931. Earliest seen 1939 chart.
Earliest seen 1969.
Issued to buses only needing to operate from 4/1 to 9/30.
50 pairs ordered 1942.
LEGENDS: Vertical "SD" left, vertical "39" right, "BUS EXPIRES 9-1-39" bottom 1939,
"SL" left before vertical "BUS" 1962-69.
("SL" seen on UND. Green?/White Tax Exempt base.)
1969 SL 113
SNOWMOBILE (Sticker)
Ch. 182 P 3/17/1971. Began 7/1/1971. Earliest seen 1974.
Numbered decal issued.
SNOWMOBILE DEALER (Sticker)
Ch. 182 P 3/17/1971. Began 7/1/1971.
SNOWMOBILE TAX EXEMPT (Sticker)
Earliest seen 1973.
SPECIAL/IMPLEMENT
Ch. 148 P 3/9/1933. Earliest seen 1948.
Registration figures begin 1933, listed as "Special Truck"
1933-51, "Implements" 1952-54. Not shown 1939 chart; not listed
1941-42 orders. Discontinued 1978; replaced by Truck plates.
LEGENDS: Vertical "SD" left, vertical "48" right, "*SPECIAL*" top 1948-50, 1952, 1955,
(some 1954-55 have "-IMPL.-" top),
vertical "53" left, vertical "SD" right, "*SPECIAL*" top 1953-54,
no legend, "IM" prefix 1957-77.
1948 278 1957-59 IM-1011 1968 IM-2303
1949 342 1960 1969 IM-2266
1950 236 1961 IM-1000 1970 IM-1788
1951 1962 IM-227 1971 IM-1327
1952 201 1963 IM-1050 1972 IM-2288
1953 496 1964 IM-1068 1973 IM-2194
1954 449 1965 1974 IM-1667
1955 411 1966 IM-963 1975 IM-2578
1956 1967 IM-2159 1976-77 IM-3243
1954 IMPL. 237 -
1955 IMPL. 112 - 274
SPECIAL DEALER
Ch. 163 P 2/21/1955. Began 7/1/1955. Issued for flat fee of $20
per pair, for any purpose except use on rental cars or tow trucks.
By 1970, Dealer (last seen 1965) may have merged with this type.
Passenger stickers issued 1977-89, "91" sticker with no month.
"DEALER" sticker top 1981-91.
1955 77-1018 1965 77-2486 1973 77-2497
1956 77-1943* 1966 77-2554 1974 77-2212
1957-59 77-124 1967 77-1204 1975 77-1827
1960 1968 77-2685 1976-80 77-3399
1961 1969 77-2676* 1981-86 77-3227
1962 1970 77-2477* 1987-91 77-2819
1963 1971 77-2576*
1964 1972 77-2521*
SPECIAL EVENT
Began 1940. A paor of plates #5000 with no county prefix were
issued 8/17/1940 to Jim Conway, age 16, winner of the South Dakota
Ford Good Drivers League contest. He was eligible for a $5,000
prize at the national event the following week in New York.
For 1941, two pairs were issued 7/11/1941. #A-5000 was awarded to
Adele Coursey and #B-5000 to Peter Stencil, prior to the national
event in California.
STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
Reported 1971. Previously issued Tax Exempt plates with "SP"
prefix c.1968-70. Undated permanent plates issued:
A. 1971-73?, Red/White, "SOUTH DAKOTA" top, #HP:16
B. 1974-76?, Black/White, "SOUTH DAKOTA" top, #HP:190
TAX EXEMPT
Began 1932. (Previously issued Public Owned plates.)
Issued to city, county, federal, school district and state owned
vehicles (Federal not listed 1939).
Driver's Education (DE) began with Ch. 239 P 3/16/1957, earliest
seen 1962 chart.
Pairs ordered: 1937 Total 1,630.
1941 City ?, County 500, School 300, State 450, U.S. 25,
1942 City 475, County 600, School 300, State 550, U.S. 25.
LEGENDS: Vertical "SD" left, vertical "32" right 1932, 1935, 1937-42, 1945, 1947-52, 1955,
vertical "34" left, vertical "SD" right 1934, 1953-54,
"SOUTH DAKOTA 56" top 1956-62.
Types include "CITY", "COUNTY", "SCHOOL", "STATE" and "U.S.GOV.".
Large "CITY" bottom left, small "TAX/EXEMPT" bottom right 1932, 1934-35, 1937-39,
large "CITY" top left, small "TAX/EXEMPT" top right 1940, "STATE -" top 1940,
"CITY" bottom 1941, 1945, "CITY" top 1942, 1947-55,
no legend, "CY", "CO", "GV", "SC" or "S" prefix 1956-62.
1939 County, 1942 City, 1947 State have long dash after title.
(Verify 1933, 1936, 1946)
Black/Orange 1959 TAB State #900252.
CITY COUNTY SCHOOL STATE U.S. GOV.
1932 817 - 3 -
1933
1934 570 -
1935 606 -
1936
1937 179 - 343
1938 2 -
1939 561 -
1940 985 - 367 -
1941 629 - 1450 - 1452 205 -
1942-44 1502 - 1 - 1776 -
1945 842 -
1946
1947 1047 - 666 -
1948 1232 -
1949 2115 - 1017 - 1299
1950 594 - 380 - 121 -
1951 204 -
1952 164 - 986 -
1953 355 - 436 - 294 -
1954 119 - 616 604 - 101 -
1955 422 - 955 -
1956 CY-845 CO-933 SC-335 S-182 (GV)
1957-59 CO-231 SC-433 S-1096
1960
1961 SC-683
1962 SC-255
1963
Undated Red/White permanent plate issued 1964, according to Rapid City
Journal, 4/1/1964. State Patrol reportedly began 1968.
All Red/White unless noted.
Type 1: "S.DAK." top left, "TAX/EXEMPT" top right.
Type 2: "S.DAK. TAX EXEMPT" top.
TYPE 1 TYPE 2
City CY-1582 - CY-1947
(Black/White) CY:835 - CY:5978
County CO-1647 - CO-1675
(Orange/White) CO-1089 -
(Black/White) CO:111 - CO:5650
Driver's Education DE-449 - DE-521 DE-808 - DE-826
(Black/White) DE:631 - DE:831
Education (Black/White) ED:1183 - ED:2639
Game, Fish & Parks Comm. GFP-334 -
Motor Patrol (1966) (MP)
State S-3 - S-513 S:2340 - S:2527
S-2500 -
(Orange/White) S-750 - S-798
School District SC-257 - SC-789
(Orange/White) SC-620 -
(Black/White) SC:502 - SC:2472
State Highway Dept. (SH)
? (Green?/White) SL-107 -
State Police SP-911 -
Travel Commission (TC)
TAX EXEMPT BUS
UND. Black/White seen with "S.DAK. TAX EXEMPT" top, #BUS:117 (using stars).
TAX EXEMPT STATE HIGHWAY TRAILER
Reported in 1970 photo, small size undated Tax Exempt Trailer
plate, "SH" prefix, #SH-1117.
TAX EXEMPT TRAILER
175 singles ordered 1949. Earliest seen 1953.
Small size plates all years. Undated Red/White 1963-on.
LEGENDS: "TAX EXEMPT" below small numbers, "S.D.TRAILER 53" bottom 1953,
"TAX EXEMPT" above small numbers, "S.D. TRAILER 62" top 1962,
same design but undated 1963-on.
1953 340
UND. (1963) 746
TAX EXEMPT TRIBAL
Began 1977. Issued to vehicles owned by 9 tribal governments.
Undated, Black/White, "S.DAK. TAX EXEMPT" top.
As of 1981, plates issued were:
Crow Creek Sioux Tribe CCT-100 - CCT-120 (21 P)
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe CRT-100 - CRT-235 (136 P)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe FST-100 - FST-106 (7 P)
Lower Brule Sioux Tribe LBT-100 - LBT-118 (19 P)
Oglala Sioux Tribe OST-100 - OST-250 (151 P)
Rosebud Sioux Tribe RST-100 - RST-203 (104 P)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe SRT-100 - SRT-149 (50 P)
Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe SWT-100 - SWT-173 (74 P)
Yankton Sioux Tribe YST-100 - YST-146 (47 P)
(TOTAL 609 P)
TEMPORARY (Cardboard)
Earliest seen 1917. "D" prefix, with dealership name and city.
Term not listed 1917-18, 5-Day plate 1924, 10-Day 194?.
TRAILER
Ch. 183 P 3/11/1931. Began 7/1/1931. Small size all years.
Ch. 145 P 3/7/1933 changed weight classes slightly for 1934.
1937: 19,169 ordered in all classes combined.
1942: 26,735 ordered in 1200 LB class; 3,905 all other weights.
1949: 35,166 ordered in all classes combined.
1955: 44,000 ordered in all classes combined.
LEGENDS: Vertical "SD" left, vertical "31" right, "TRAILER 750 LB" bottom 1931,
vertical "32" left, vertical "SD" right, "TRAILER 750 LB" bottom 1932-34,
vertical "SD" left, vertical "35" right, "TRAILER 1200 LB" bottom 1935-42,
"S.D.TRAILER 44" bottom 1944-56,
"S.D. TRAILER 57" top, "1200-LB." or "OVER 5000-LB." above numbers 1957-59,
"S.D. TRAILER 60" top 1960-69,
"SOUTH DAKOTA/TRAILER" top left, "70" top right 1970-91.
COLORS: Passenger colors 1931-73,
Blue/White 1974, 1976, 1980-83, 1985, 1987, 1989,
Red/White 1975, 1977-79, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990-91.
Waffle aluminum seen 1949, 1951. Orange/Blue FR 1959 TAB.
County codes, same as passenger, used 1944-75.
WEIGHT CLASS 1931 1932 1933
1 - 750 384 - 3939 230 - 6707 325 - 8331
751 - 1250 8417 - 10319
1251 - 1500
1501 - 2000 8958 -
2001 - 2500
2501 - 3000
3001 - 3500
3501 - 4000
4001 - 5000
OVER 5000
WEIGHT CLASS 1934 1935 1936
1 - 1200 253 - 10381 175 - 10755 294 - 10256
16488 - 24777 -
1201 - 1500 11423 - 13501 -
1501 - 2000
2001 - 2500
2501 - 3000
3001 - 3500
3501 - 4000
4001 - 5000
OVER 5000 16257 no weight
WEIGHT CLASS 1937 1938 1939
1 - 1200 491 - 13248 1 - 18305 146 - 18914
1201 - 1500
1501 - 2000
2001 - 2500
2501 - 3000 27121 -
3001 - 3500
3501 - 4000
4001 - 5000
OVER 5000
WEIGHT CLASS 1940 1941 1942-43
1 - 1200 174 - 23991 152 - 23535 772 - 25379
X 810 - X 820 35489 - 38681
1201 - 1500 25308 - 28380 -
1501 - 2000 29054 -
2001 - 2500 27555 -
2501 - 3000 30352 -
3001 - 3500 30595 -
3501 - 4000
4001 - 5000
OVER 5000 32268 - 32280
1942: 32280 has no weight, just "LB.", in envelope "OVER 5000 LB. TRAILER".
1944-59 FORMATS: 1*100 - 64*9999 (including 1944 #42*3000)
(all weights start at 100 1957-59)
1960-70 FORMATS: 1-1000 - 64-9999, 1-100N - 64-999Y
1971-75 FORMATS: 1-1000 - 64-9999
1976 10986 - 63037 (52,052) 1984 1010 - 57923 (56,914)
1985 1010 - 101473 (100,464)
1977-79 Dated 11152 - 70001 (58,850) 1986 T1010 - T105069 (104,060)
(1979) Undated 82986 - 93832 (10,847) 1987 T2278 - T111405 (109,128)
1988 T32644 - T112681 (80,038)
1980-83 Dated 16959 - 99406 (82,448) 1989 T37546 - T117126 (79,581)
(1982) Undated 106721 - 126803 (20,083) 1990-91 T35588 - T110360 (74,773)
WEIGHT CLASS 1946-56 1960-70
1 - 1200 100 - 1999 (No letter)
1201 - 1500 2000 - 2999 N
1501 - 2000 3000 - 3999 P
2001 - 2500 4000 - 4999 R
2501 - 3000 5000 - 5999 S
3001 - 3500 6000 - 6999 V
3501 - 4000 7000 - 7999 W
4001 - 5000 8000 - 8999 X
OVER 5000 9000 - 9999 Y
TRAILER DEALER
Ch. 205 P 3/9/1965. Registration figures begin 1965.
Earliest seen 1968. (1967 Sample #TD-00 seen.)
Three of same number seen 1968.
LEGENDS: Small size plate, no legend, "TD" prefix 1968,
Trailer base, "TD" prefix 1971, 1980, "D" prefix 1981-82.
COLORS: Blue/White 1980, Red/White 1981-82.
1968 TD-148 1980 TD-293
1971 TD-170 1981-82 D-269
TRAILER IDENTIFICATION
Ch. 189 P 3/9/1955. Earliest seen Undated, small size plate,
1957-69 dies, Black/White, "TRAILER IDNF./COMMERCIAL" top,
vertical "SD" left, #11713 - 21124.
Previously, tractor-trailer rig owners had to buy Compensation
plates for both the truck-tractor and the trailer.
TRUCK (See Truck page)
Ch. 266 P 3/14/1919. Began 1920.
Discontinued 1981; replaced by Passenger.
TRUCK DEALER
Ch. 169 P 2/10/1968. Earliest seen 1969.
According to 12/22/1971 DMV letter, these "have been phased out
of our license program."
1969 88-1002
1970 88-1006
UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE/SENATOR
Earliest seen 1954.
South Dakota had 2 U.S. Representatives 1943-82, 1 since 1983,
and has always had 2 U.S. Senators. 1954 #R-3 seen.
LEGENDS: No legend, "R" or "S" prefix 1954-55,
vertical "US" left, "REP-" or "SEN-" prefix 1956-86.
UNKNOWN TYPE (70)
1954 #70-1040 seen.
UNKNOWN TYPE (XX)
1985 #XX-1126, Green/White, "SOUTH DAKOTA" and unique "85" sticker top.
1986 #XX-1238, same base with unique Green/White "86" sticker.
(In Iowa, XX = Restricted Vehicle.)
PERMITS:
COMPENSATION
Ch. 139 P 3/7/1933. Began 7/1/1933. Reported 1933/34.
Earliest seen 1934/35. Supplemental small size plate probably
issued by Board of Railroad Commissioners 1933; became Public
Utilities Commission 1939. Issued to all motor vehicles, trailers
and semi-trailers operated for hire. Reflective 1963, 1971-78.
1942/43: 8,715 pairs, 1,028 singles ordered.
1948/49: 10,021 singles ordered.
Starting 1955, tractor-trailer rig owners could buy one Compensation
plate for the front of the truck-tractor, instead of buying plates
for both units. Trailer Identification plates began 1955.
Discontinued 1978; replaced by tonnage sticker on Commercial plates.
LEGENDS: Vertical "34" left, vertical "35" right, "GROSS 4 TONS" top,
"S.D." left center, "COMPENSATION/CLASS 1" right center,
serial bottom 1934/35-35/36, 1939/40-42/43, 1944/45-49/50,
vertical "SD" left, "GROSS 2 TONS" top, "COMPENSATION" over
"EXPIRES 6-30-51" center, serial bottom 1951-56,
"COMPENSATION" over "EXP. 6-30-57" top, vertical "SD" left,
"2/GROSS" right 1957-77, same, but "EXP. 1-15-78" 1978.
YEAR COLORS CLASS/SERIALS SEEN (G = GROSS 1957-78)
1933/34
1934/35 CLASS ?, 5 TONS 11080
1935/36 White/Red CLASS 1, 4 TONS 2548, CLASS 1 11423, CLASS 3, 8 TONS 500
1936/37 White/Green CLASS 6B, 6 TONS 1380
1937/38
1938/39
1939/40 White/Green CLASS 2, 4 TONS 2497 - 14422
1940/41 Yellow/Black INTERSTATE CLASS 3, 6 TONS 30641
1941/42
1942/43 Yellow/Blue CLASS 4, 8 TONS 13006
1943/44 (Windshield sticker)
1944/45 Black/Orange CLASS 4, 8 TONS 12911
1945/46 Blue?/White CLASS 3, 6 TONS 23331, CLASS 3A, 7 TONS 26731,
CLASS 4, 8 TONS 13004, CLASS 5, 10 TONS 336
1946/47 Red/White CLASS 4, 8 TONS 12911
1947/48 Green/Yellow CLASS 4, 8 TONS 12915 - 26220
1948/49 Yellow/Black CLASS 3, 6 TONS 10231, CLASS 5, 10 TONS 6718 - 13884
1949/50 Green/Aluminum CLASS 3A, 7 TONS 7861, CLASS 12, 4 PASS BUS 18603
1949/50 White/Maroon CLASS 2, 4 TONS 24106, CLASS 6, 12 TONS 13713
6-30-51 Green?/White 10 TONS 13751
6-30-52 Maroon/Cream 11 TONS 13729
6-30-53 Black/Orange 10 TONS 23588, 11 TONS 13732
6-30-54 Green/Cream 4 BUS 18606, 11 TONS 13977
6-30-55 Black/Orange 2 TONS 23670, 11 TONS 12847
6-30-56 Gold/Maroon 2 TONS 8583 - 28237, 10 TONS 7151 - 20211, 11 TONS 13125
6-30-57 Black?/White 2 G 29319, 8 G 15114, 10 G 7144, 11 G 13142, 12 G 23404
6-30-58 White/Maroon 2 G 19772, 4 G 7938, 10 G 7172 - 28118, 11 G 13152
6-30-59 Black/White 10 G 7146, 11 G 13150
6-30-60 White/Maroon 8 G 6052, 10 G 7168, 11 G 13134
6-30-61 Black/White 10 G 7157, 11 G 13125
6-30-62 Red/White 10 G 13151
6-30-63 Red/White 4 G 8860, 10 G 13141
6-30-64 White/Maroon 4 G 24353, 10 G 13112 - 16028
6-30-65 Black/White 4 BUS 19163, 6 G 874, 10 G 13143
6-30-66 Red/White 10 G 13106
6-30-67 Maroon/Yellow 4 G 1574, 12 G 26370
6-30-68 Light Blue/Yellow 6 G 1559, 10 G 2060, 11 G 8939
6-30-69 Yellow/Red 2 G 748 - 13131, 10 G 8918
6-30-70 Dark Blue/White 2 G 13104, 3 G 23506, 7 G 6245,
6-30-70 Dark Blue/White 4 BUS 17608, 2 G 13104, 3 G 23506, 7 G 6245, 10 G 2067
6-30-71 Green/White 8 G 1628, 9 G 18961, 20 G 8937
6-30-72 Red/White 2 G 1551 - 4942
6-30-73 Black/White 7 G 14359, 10 G 21026, 14 G 8893
6-30-74 Blue/White 4 BUS 20377, 3 G 15632, 11 G 14696, 18 G 6933
6-30-75 Red/White 3 G 9348, 6 G 20065
6-30-76 Blue/White 2 G 9620, 3 G 9304, 4 G 10709, 5 G 3130
6-30-77 Red/White 2 G 4832, 6 G 1634, 12 G 29205
1-15-78 Black/White 2 G 8498, 12 G 26331
"BUS 0 PASS COMPENSATION" reported 6-30-54, 6-30-66.
"COMB. COMPENSATION" began 6-30-56. (Ch. 189 P 3/9/1955)
"INTERSTATE" reported 1937/38, seen 1940/41, same colors 6-30-69, 16 GROSS 60147.
"TON MILEAGE/CARN. 67", #80152, "6 GROSS" 1967.
"TON MILEAGE CARN. IDNF." reported 1968.
"TON MILEAGE" reported 6-30-69.
"TRAILER IDNF." reported 6-30-70.
6-30-69: Ton Mileage Sample, same as 6-30-68 but "TON MILEAGE"
in place of "COMPENSATION", 16 GROSS, Red/Yellow.
1933/34 - 1934/35 CLASSES (Ch. 139 P 3/7/1933)
1 4 tons or less
2 Over 4 tons, but not more than 5 tons
3 Over 5 tons, but not more than 7 tons
4 Over 7 tons, but not more than 10 tons
5 Over 10 tons, but not more than 12 tons
6 Bus and livery carrying 7 or more passengers for hire
7 Class 1 - 5 vehicles (now 7A - 7E) carrying farm products only
1935/36 - 1938/39 CLASSES (Ch. 152 P 3/13/1935)
1 4 tons or less
2 Over 4 tons, but not more than 6 tons
3 Over 6 tons, but not more than 8 tons
4 Over 8 tons, but not more than 10 tons
5 Over 10 tons, but not more than 11 tons
6 Over 11 tons, but not more than 12 tons
7 Bus and livery carrying 7 or more passengers for hire
8 Class 1 - 6 vehicles (now 8A - 8F) carrying farm products only
1939/40 - 1943/44 CLASSES (Ch. 176 P 3/8/1939)
1 2 tons or less
2 Over 2 tons, but not more than 4 tons
3 Over 4 tons, but not more than 6 tons
4 Over 6 tons, but not more than 8 tons
5 Over 8 tons, but not more than 10 tons
6 Over 10 tons, but not more than 11 tons
7 Over 11 tons, but not more than 12 tons
8 Bus and livery carring 7 or more passengers for hire
1944/45 - 1946/47 CLASSES (Ch. 161 P 3/11/1943)
1 2 tons or less
2 Over 2 tons, but not more than 4 tons
3 Over 4 tons, but not more than 6 tons
3A Over 6 tons, but not more than 7 tons
4 Over 7 tons, but not more than 8 tons
5 Over 8 tons, but not more than 10 tons
6 Over 10 tons, but not more than 11 tons
7 Over 11 tons, but not more than 12 tons
7A Over 12 tons, but not more than 13 tons
7B Over 13 tons, but not more than 14 tons
7C Over 14 tons, but not more than 15 tons
8 Bus and livery carrying 7 or more passengers for hire
1947/48 - 1978 CLASSES (Ch. 195 P 3/10/1947 unless noted)
1 2 tons or less
1A 3 tons or less (added 1961/62 by Ch. 236 P 3/3/1961)
2 4 tons or less
2A 5 tons or less (added 1968/69 by Ch. 175 P 2/1/1968)
3 6 tons or less
3A 7 tons or less
4 8 tons or less
4A 9 tons or less (added 1961/62, as 1A)
5 10 tons or less
5A 11 tons or less
6 12 tons or less
6A 13 tons or less (added 1961/62, as 1A)
7 14 tons or less
7A 15 tons or less
8 16 tons or less
8A 17 tons or less (added 1975/76 by Ch. 202 P 3/7/1975)
9 18 tons or less
9A 19 tons or less (added 1975/76, as 8A)
10 20 tons or less
10A 21 tons or less (added 1966/67 by Ch. 138 P 2/1/1966)
11 22 tons or less
12 7+ passengers for hire
1967/68 - 1978 CLASSES ADDED (Ch. 206 P 3/7/1967)
13 23 tons or less 17A 32 tons or less
13A 24 tons or less 18 33 tons or less
14 25 tons or less 18A 34 tons or less
14A 26 tons or less 19 35 tons or less
15 27 tons or less 19A 36 tons or less
15A 28 tons or less 20 37 tons or less
16 29 tons or less 20A 38 tons or less
16A 30 tons or less 21 39 tons or less
17 31 tons or less 21A 40 tons or less
1974/75 - 1978 CLASSES ADDED (Ch. 214 P 2/5/1974)
22 41 tons or less 24 45 tons or less
22A 42 tons or less 24A 46 tons or less
23 43 tons or less 25 47 tons or less
23A 44 tons or less 25A 47 1/2 tons or less
RECIPROCITY
Earliest seen 1960.
Issued to out-of-state trucking owners with only one vehicle over
6,000 lbs. in their fleet (two or more got Prorate plates).
Supplemental small size plate 1960-63, 1969. Non-reflective 1969.
LEGENDS: Vertical "SD" left, vertical "60" right, "RECIPROCITY" top 1960-63, 1969,
"PLATE" bottom, no serial number 1960-61, serial number bottom 1962-63, 1969.
1962 35 - 986
1963 1251 - 1252
1969 103 -
SIGN PERMIT
Ch. 118 P 3/16/1967, E 1/1/1968. Undated motorcycle-size plate
issued by Highway Commission. According to the Rapid City Journal,
7/18/1968, the number codes are identified as follows:
1st number = Year of issue (i.e. "8" = 1968)
2nd number = Sign inventory number (001 to 999)
3rd number = Beautification district (1 to 6; 5 = Rapid City area)
4th number = Highway maintenance route
Photo shows plate with large "8 088" top, small "5-002" bottom.
A. UND. Maroon/White, large "8 325" top, small "5-010-1" bottom,
large "8 053" top, small "5-026-1" bottom,
large "8 117" top, small "5-028-1" bottom.
B. UND. White/Green, large "8 075" top, small "5-011-2" bottom.
