605Drive - Electronic Title Project

Electronic Titles in South Dakota: Current Status and What’s Coming

South Dakota is committed to modernizing the way vehicle titles are handled. While the State will continue to print paper titles for the foreseeable future, efforts are underway to expand electronic title (e‑title) technology and develop paperless vehicle‑sale solutions. These improvements help reduce the risk of lost documents, enhance security, curb fraud, speed up the title‑transfer process, and provide greater confidence for both buyers and sellers.

Below is an overview of the upcoming changes and what they mean for South Dakota residents and vehicle dealers.

Dealer Submission of Electronic Title Applications

Beginning July 1, 2026, approved third‑party providers will be able to connect to South Dakota’s title and registration system:

• South Dakota vehicle dealers may voluntarily contract with a provider that will submit title applications on behalf of their customers.
• Providers will develop their own software products for dealers to use; the State will simply provide the system connection.
• Providers may charge a fee for their services.
• Provider software will help dealers prepare title applications, calculate fees, collect and upload required documents, and electronically submit information and payment to the State.
• Customers who purchase vehicles from a dealer using these services will not need to visit their county treasurer’s office to apply for a title or registration.
• Dealers may transfer plates from a trade‑in or order new plates to be mailed to the customer.

These changes do not impact the State’s current process for printing paper titles.

Electronic Title Transfer for Paperless Private‑Party Sales

Later this summer, the Department will launch a new electronic title‑transfer option within my605drive, allowing eligible customers to complete the sale of a vehicle entirely online:

• Available only for South Dakota titled vehicles with no active liens.
• Available initially only for individual (non‑business) customers.
• Both buyer and seller must have access to my605drive and complete identity verification.
• A new enhanced security level will require identity verification using a federally compliant process.

Identity Verification

• An in‑person verification option will be available at county treasurer offices first.
• An online identity‑verification option is being researched and will be added later.

How the Electronic Sale Works

1. The seller starts the sale in their my605drive account by entering details and generating a secure transfer code.
2. The buyer enters that code in their own my605drive account to review and accept the sale details.
3. The seller receives a notification to provide final confirmation and release ownership.
4. The buyer then completes the final confirmation and receives a pre‑application for their new title.

This process replaces the need for:

• Filling out the back of a paper title
• Providing a separate federal odometer statement
• Creating or retaining a bill of sale
• Generate seller's temporary permit / plate
• Submitting a report of sale

After the Electronic Transfer

• Buyers will still need to visit a county treasurer’s office to finalize the title application and pay fees, taxes, and registration.
• An online option for paying these fees is in early development.
• These changes do not affect the State’s current process for printing paper titles.