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Origin record closeout

What to do with South Dakota plates after moving to Colorado

The answer can be return, cancel, destroy, recycle, or keep. Follow the reviewed South Dakota instruction only after the Colorado registration and insurance handoff are safe.

Colorado comes first

Complete the replacement record

Register the vehicle through the county motor vehicle office within 90 days after becoming a resident.

Bring proof of Colorado-compliant insurance for the vehicle.

South Dakota closeout

Update the South Dakota record and keep the old plates

After the destination registration is active, update the address in South Dakota's vehicle record through the online portal or your county treasurer. Remove and retain the South Dakota plates; the state describes them as staying with the owner. Keep the address-update confirmation with the new registration.

Open the official South Dakota instructionReviewed 2026-07-31
  1. 1. Activate acceptable destination coverage

    Confirm the effective date with the new insurer.

  2. 2. Register in Colorado

    Keep the issued registration or official receipt.

  3. 3. Complete the South Dakota plate action

    Keep the surrender, cancellation, mailing, destruction, or retention record the state provides.

  4. 4. End or rewrite the old policy

    Ask the insurer to use dates that do not create an uncovered active registration.

Sources for this closeout sequence

Open the complete routeCheck the insurance handoff