South Dakota Motorcycle Laws and Information

Legislature | State Motorcyclists Rights Organization (SMRO)

Motorcycle helmet law:

32-20-4.   Protective helmet required for minor

Violation as misdemeanor. No person under eighteen years of age may operate or ride upon a motorcycle on the public streets or highways of this state unless the person wears a protective helmet of a type meeting Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 as in effect on January 1, 1984. No person may operate a motorcycle with any person under the age of eighteen as a passenger if the passenger is not wearing a protective helmet. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Other motorcycle laws:

32-20-1      Definition of terms.
32-20-2      Special qualification required to operate motorcycle--Exceptions--Valid license required to operate moped or all-terrain vehicle--Waiver of test--Violation as misdemeanor.
32-20-3      Required handlebar height--Violation as petty offense.
32-20-4      Protective helmet required for minor--Violation as misdemeanor.
32-20-4.1      Eye protective device or windscreen required--Violation as petty offense.
32-20-4.2      Protective devices not required of riders in enclosed cab.
32-20-5      Muffler required--Modification of muffler prohibited--Violation as petty offense.
32-20-6      Repealed.
32-20-6.1      Operator and passengers restricted to permanent and regular seats--Violation as misdemeanor.
32-20-6.2      Position of motorcyclist--Violation as misdemeanor.
32-20-6.3      Carrying package on motorcycle--Restrictions--Violation as misdemeanor.
32-20-6.4      Rider interfering with control or view of operator--Violation as misdemeanor.
32-20-6.5      Attachment to other vehicles prohibited--Violation as misdemeanor.
32-20-6.6      Carrying firearm on motorcycle or off-road vehicle--Exception for holder of concealed pistol permit or disabled hunter permit--Enforcement--Violation as misdemeanor.
32-20-7      Renting motorcycle to unauthorized person--Violation as petty offense.
32-20-8      Permitting other person to operate rented motorcycle--Violation as petty offense.
32-20-9      Operation of motorcycle in park or recreation areas as petty offense.
32-20-9.1      Motorcycle entitled to full traffic lane--Violation as misdemeanor.
32-20-9.2      Motorcycle prohibited from overtaking in same lane--Violation as misdemeanor.
32-20-9.3      Motorcycle operation between lanes prohibited--Violation as misdemeanor.
32-20-9.4      Policemen exempt from restrictions on use of lanes.
32-20-9.5      Restriction to two abreast--Violation as misdemeanor.
32-20-10      Motorcycle use on special occasions.
32-20-11      Repealed.
32-20-12      Off-road vehicles--Operation on certain lands as misdemeanor--Registration--Title certificate.
32-20-12.1      Ordinances prohibiting operation of off-road vehicles in ditches--Exceptions-- Regulatory signs.
32-20-13      All-terrain vehicle licensed as motorcycle--Requirements--Use on interstate highway system prohibited--Violation as misdemeanor.
32-20-14      Motorcycle safety education--Standards and procedures--Funding.
32-20-15      Budget and appropriation of revenue available for motorcycle safety education.
32-20-16      Display of blue light as part of rear brake light authorized.