Honestly, I’m right there with you. I always keep a paper card tucked in the glove box too—can’t trust tech 100% when you’re out in the sticks.
That cracked me up, but I totally get it. I’d rather be over-prepared than trying to explain a dead phone to a trooper in the middle of nowhere.“if I could tattoo my policy number on my arm without looking nuts, I’d probably consider it.”
I totally get the backup plan—paper cards have saved me more than once. But I’ve always wondered, does South Dakota actually require you to show a physical card, or will a digital copy on your phone cut it if you’re pulled over? I’ve heard mixed things from friends, but never found a clear answer. Anyone ever had a trooper insist on the paper version? I’d hate to get stuck arguing about it on the side of the road...
I’ve heard mixed things from friends, but never found a clear answer. Anyone ever had a trooper insist on the paper version?
This is exactly what’s been bugging me. I got pulled over near Sioux Falls last month (speed trap, of course), and I showed the officer my insurance card on my phone. He didn’t even blink—just took a glance and handed it back. But my cousin swears her friend got hassled about not having a paper card somewhere out west. Maybe it depends on the cop?
Honestly, it feels like we should be way past needing to carry around a flimsy piece of paper. I mean, everything else is digital now. The law says digital is fine, but that doesn’t stop some officers from being old-school. Personally, I keep both versions just in case, but it’s kind of ridiculous to worry about whether your phone battery will die at the wrong moment.
It’s probably safer to have the paper backup, but I still think the whole thing is outdated. If they’re gonna allow digital, it should be 100% accepted, no questions asked.
I get where you’re coming from about digital being the way to go, but honestly, as someone who’s just gone through buying insurance for the first time, I’m not totally comfortable leaving it up to chance. I mean, what if your phone dies or the app just won’t load? Stuff like that always seems to happen at the worst possible moment. Plus, I’ve read in a few places that while South Dakota law says digital is fine, there are still some counties or officers who want to see a paper copy—guess it’s just not 100% consistent yet.
Here’s how I’m handling it: I keep a printed card in my glove box (just in case), and I have the digital version saved on my phone—not just in the app, but also as a screenshot so I don’t need cell service. It’s a bit of extra work, but for me, the peace of mind is worth it. Maybe it’s overkill, but until every cop is on board with digital, I’d rather play it safe than risk getting hassled or ticketed.
Honestly, I’m right there with you on this. I’ve had just enough “technology fails at the worst time” moments to not trust my phone 100%. One time, my battery died while I was waiting for a tow truck in the middle of winter—never again am I relying solely on digital for anything important.
I do the same as you: printed card in the glove box, digital copy on my phone, and even a backup in my email just in case. Might sound paranoid, but like you said, not every officer is on the same page yet. I’ve actually had a friend get pulled over near Pierre and the trooper flat-out asked for a paper copy, even after seeing the digital version. It wasn’t a huge deal, but it definitely made me double down on carrying both.
Maybe someday it’ll all be streamlined, but until then, a little extra prep feels worth it for that peace of mind.
