IS MY MOD LEGAL?

Light Bars & LED Lighting in South Dakota

Conditional

South Dakota permits three auxiliary driving lamps but only if mounted 12 to 24 inches above the surface — a narrow window that a roof or upper-bumper bar cannot meet. No cover is required.

Verified against primary sources · August 2026

What the law says

No auxiliary driving lamp other than a fog lamp may be lit while the headlamps are on low beam. Contrary to widely repeated advice, no cover is required in this state — the rule is simply that the lamps are off on the highway. Mounting a light bar is legal everywhere; what states regulate is using it on public roads, and the usual constraint is a mounting-height ceiling plus a per-type lamp count.

Specific Limits

Use rule
no auxiliary driving lamp other than a fog lamp may be lit while headlamps are on low beam
Max lamps
3 auxiliary driving lamps mounted 12-24 in above the surface
Cover required
No

Statute

SDCL § 32-17-17

Read the statute →

Frequently Asked Questions

Are light bars & led lighting legal in South Dakota?
South Dakota permits three auxiliary driving lamps but only if mounted 12 to 24 inches above the surface — a narrow window that a roof or upper-bumper bar cannot meet. No cover is required.
What are the exact light bars & led lighting limits in South Dakota?
Use rule: no auxiliary driving lamp other than a fog lamp may be lit while headlamps are on low beam. Max lamps: 3 auxiliary driving lamps mounted 12-24 in above the surface. Cover required: No. Source: SDCL § 32-17-17.

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