Bikerstrip.com 

This information has been gathered from the
Sturgis Police Department's Web Site.

We get a lot of questions concerning the Sturgis-Rally and the local Police, so here is a list of the most common laws that are violated on a regular basis, of which the Police Strictly Enforce. This is to help you, the public, become aware of these City Ordinances and State Laws so you can have a more enjoyable time while visiting here.

These fine amounts are as of July 1st  2006....

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City Ordinances
Ordinance                                                                                                                                                  Code                                       Bond Amount
Indecent Exposure #12.0802  $111.00
Open Container In Public  #13.0155   $61.00
Deposit of  Filth  #12.0601 $86.00
Disorderly Conduct  #13.0102  $111.00
Careless Driving  #16.0219 $91.00
City Parking Violations #16.0507  $10.00
City Trespassing   #13.0113   $111.00
Dog Running at Large #1.0209 $56.00
Parking in Handicapped Zone  #16.0507 $100.00
Reckless Driving #16.0218  Custody Arrest
Truck Route Violations  #16.0222  $91.00
Use of  Sound Amplification Device: #13.0116  Court Appearance Req.
Driving on Bike Path / Sidewalk #14.0303/16.0216 $111.00
Exhibition Driving  #16.0225 $66.00

Notice: All parking violations are subject to being towed away at owners expense.

 

State Laws

    State                                                                                                                SDCL                                                           Bond Amount

Driving while license cancelled   #32-12-65(3)  $144.00
Violation of Restricted License #32-12-74  94.00
Revoked Drivers License #32-12-65(1) Custody Arrest
Furnish Alcohol to Minor (18-21) #35-9-1.1 Court Appearance Req
Open Container in Motor Vehicle #35-1-9.1  $94.00

Notice: The Sturgis Police Department has "zero" tolerance on all Drug Arrests no matter how small and will not relax charges on any violations of the following laws...

Possession of Controlled Substance #22-42-5  Custody Arrest
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia  #22-42A-3   $244.00
Possession of Marijuana #22-42-6   Custody Arrest
Poss of Substances for High Abuse (Distribution): #22-42-2  Custody Arrest

Juvenile Laws

   State                                                                                                                   SDCL                                                          Bond Amount

Underage Alcohol Possession/Consumption #35-9-2  Court Appearance Req
(Alcohol Continued) in Motor Vehicle #32-12-52.4  Court Appearance Req
Underage Purchase/Poss/Consumption of Cigarettes #34-46-2  /  34-46-5  $69.00

Motorcycle Laws

     State                                                                                                                  SDCL                                                        Bond Amount

Carrying pistol or revolver without a permit #22-14-9  Custody Arrest
Cyclists Overtaking in Same Lane #32-20-9.2 $94.00
Eye Protection Required #32-20-4.1 $20.00
Helmet Required (under age 18)  #32-20-4  $94.00
Illegal Handlebar Height #32-20-3 $20.00
Illegal Exhaust Motorcycle #32-20-5 $20.00
Operation W/O Motorcycle Endorsement #32-20-2   $94.00


 

South Dakota Motorcycle Driving Laws

Equipment: 

  • Every motorcycle must be equipped with at least one but no more than two headlamps.

     
  • The handlebars of a motorcycle must be no higher than the shoulder height of the person operating the motorcycle.

     
  • All persons under the age of 18 must wear motorcycle safety helmets that are approved by the South Dakota Department of Transportation.

     
  • A person riding in  an enclosed cab attached to a motorcycle does not have to wear a safety helmet.

     
  • A motorcycle operator must wear an eye protective device unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen of sufficient height and design that protects the motorcycle operator. When headlights are required to be on, a motorcycle operator cannot wear protective eye devices that are tinted or shaded to reduce the light transmission of the device below 35 percent.

     
  • Motorcycles must have at least one tail lamp, which when lighted emits a red light visible for a distance of 500 feet.
     

Noise Limits: Every motorcycle must at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise.

Source: AAA Motor Law Digest, 68th (2002) Edition.

Licensing:

    Anyone who operates a motor vehicle or motor-driven cycle on public roadways in South Dakota is required to have a driver license. You are required to have a South Dakota driver license if you live here for more than 90 days. If you are a commercial driver license holder, you must apply for a South Dakota license within 30 days. The following people can drive on a valid license from their home state, so long as they are at least 16 years old. South Dakota law (SDCL 32-12-39) states that every licensee shall have their Drivers License in their immediate possession at all times when operating a motor vehicle.

    Military - Members of the Armed Forces on active duty or members of foreign military on temporary duty with the Armed Forces, as well as their spouse and children.

    Student - Students who are here to further their education and who are considered a non-resident for tuition purposes.

    Motorcycle License — To obtain a Motorcycle License, you must be at least 16 years of age and pass the vision, knowledge (car/truck and motorcycle), and motorcycle driving test. If a minor is at least 16 years of age, but under 18 years of age, they must complete the requirements of the Instruction Permit and have not been convicted of a traffic violation during the past six months prior to obtaining the Motorcycle License. The license is valid for 5 years, for a cost of $8.00 for car/truck test plus $8.00 for motorcycle test.

The are many other common State Traffic Laws that are too numerous to mention which are enforced by all Law Enforcement agencies. If you have any questions regarding these laws or ones that are not listed, please feel free to contacts the Sturgis Police Department at our e-mail address or by using one of the methods below:
Sturgis Police Department
1400 Main Street
Sturgis, South Dakota
Phone# (605) 347-5070 or (605) 347-2573
Fax# (605) 347-6828
E-Mail info@SturgisPolice.com