South Dakota Plates in Cabo?

What is up with all of those South Dakota plates you see around Cabo?

Well, its complicated, but the short answer is: Its because it is hard to change a US plated car to a Mexico plated car, or to “import” one. Then, there are rules on who can drive a US plated car. In general, a Mexican citizen or permanent resident cannot drive a US plated car.

Why South Dakota? Well its cheaper, there is no smog test, and they don’t care where the car is.

If you are one of those that wants to change your plates, here is how:
Contact info. Call either Mary Taggert or Cathy Powell at the Clay County Treasurers Office . 605 677 7123. You will need to ask for the papers to transfer the auto into a SD Registration. They will require the pink slip to the vehicle and the registration information. They will send you either via USPS mail or via email, whichever is easiest.
The women in that office are very helpful. Turn around time is a few weeks. The plates and registration come quite quickly but the pink slip will take a few weeks longer. Depending on the age and vehicle the price wil vary, but it is relatively inexpensive.

Website: https://www.claycountysd.org/treasurersoffice.cfm
The instructions are pretty straight forward.