Confused about insurance rules in South Dakota—help me figure this out

I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve had a different experience in my neck of the woods. Here’s how I handle it, just to be safe:

1. Keep the official card from my insurer in the glovebox—yeah, it’s paper, but it’s the one they mail me.
2. Snap a pic on my phone as backup.
3. Double-check the expiration date every renewal.

I’ve heard stories like yours—

“One time, I even showed a digital copy on my phone and the trooper didn’t bat an eye.”

Confused about insurance rules in South Dakota—help me figure this out

That’s pretty much my approach too, just to keep things simple. I’ve been driving in SD for decades, and honestly, I’ve seen it all—paper cards, digital copies, even a guy who tried to show his info on a smartwatch (that one didn’t go over well). I totally get what you mean about it depending on the cop or county. Some seem super chill, others act like you’re trying to pull a fast one if your card looks even a little off.

“One time, I even showed a digital copy on my phone and the trooper didn’t bat an eye.”

I’ve had that happen too, but then last winter, my neighbor got pulled over for a busted taillight and the officer wouldn’t accept his phone screenshot. Wanted the actual paper card. My neighbor’s not exactly tech-savvy, so he ended up digging through his glovebox for five minutes while traffic backed up behind him. Not fun.

I’m with you on the “better safe than sorry” thing. I keep the original card in the glovebox, plus a backup in my wallet just in case. I’ve also started writing the renewal date on my calendar because I’ve spaced it before and almost got caught with an expired card. That would’ve been a headache.

One thing I’ve noticed—some of the smaller towns seem to be sticklers for the rules, while highway patrol is more flexible. Maybe it’s just luck of the draw. Either way, I’d rather have too many copies than not enough. Paper might be old-school, but it’s never failed me yet.

Funny thing is, my insurance company keeps pushing their app, but I still trust the stuff they mail me more. Maybe I’m just old-fashioned, but I’d rather not risk it if I don’t have to.

That bit about the smartwatch made me laugh—haven’t seen that one yet, but I can imagine the look on the officer’s face. I’ve definitely noticed the same thing with the smaller towns versus highway patrol. There’s this little spot I pass through on my way out to the Black Hills, and I swear, the local cops there are all about the paperwork. Last summer, I got pulled over for a rolling stop (my bad), and the officer wanted to see the actual paper card, not the digital one. He even squinted at it like he was checking for forgeries or something. Meanwhile, I’ve shown my phone to highway patrol a couple times, and they just hand it back without a second glance.

“Paper might be old-school, but it’s never failed me yet.”

That sums it up for me too. I keep a paper copy in the glovebox, another in my center console, and I’ve even got a photo on my phone just in case. Maybe it’s overkill, but after a buddy of mine got a ticket for “failure to provide proof” because his card was wedged between some receipts, I’m not taking chances. He tried to argue, but the officer just shrugged and wrote him up.

I get that insurance companies want everyone to use their apps, but I’m with you—if my phone’s dead or I’m in a spot with no service, I’d rather have the real thing handy. Plus, those apps are always updating or logging me out at the worst times. Old-school isn’t always a bad thing.

Funny how something as simple as an insurance card can turn into a whole ordeal, depending on where you are and who you run into. I guess the best bet is to just be over-prepared and hope you don’t have to dig through a mountain of napkins and gas receipts to find what you need.

- 100% agree on having the paper backup. I drive a couple of high-end cars and, trust me, the last thing I want is to get hassled over paperwork when I’m already getting extra attention from local cops.

- The apps are convenient—until they’re not. Had my phone freeze up once right as I was pulled over. Not a fun conversation.

- You’re not being paranoid with the glovebox/console/photo routine. If anything, you’re smarter than most. I keep mine in a folder with my registration, just to avoid digging through junk.

- Small towns seem to love their rules and paperwork. Highway patrol is usually more chill, but you never know who you’ll run into.

- Honestly, it’s not overkill if it saves you a ticket or some hassle. Better to be that “over-prepared” person than the one arguing on the shoulder of the road.

- Only thing I’d add—make sure your info is up to date everywhere. Had a buddy get dinged because his insurance card had an old address.

You’re doing it right. Sometimes old-school just works better, especially when tech decides to flake out at the worst moment.

Couldn’t agree more about the paper backup. I’ve had cops in SD flat-out refuse to look at my phone, even though technically it’s supposed to be fine. Not worth the argument on the side of the road, especially if you’re running late or it’s freezing out. One thing I’d add—don’t just toss stuff in the glovebox and forget it. I found an expired card once when I thought I was good to go... doesn’t matter how organized you *think* you are if your paperwork’s out of date. Double-check before road trips, saves a ton of headache.