_Needless to say, South Dakota law enforcement is both heavy and vigilant during the rally. We’re offering this list of laws and penalties to show you what to expect if you get a little too wild _

The following tips are offered to help you have an uninterrupted vacation:

1. Don’t drink and drive. That’s why they started a biker campground in the first place-so you can party safely. Crash at the Buffalo Chip and not on the highway.

2. Make certain you have photo identification with you.

3. Make certain all the lights and safety devices are functioning properly on your bike.

4. Inspect your bike before you come to SD, especially if you’ve purchased an older bike and you know it has pieces of other motorcycles on it. There will be motorcycle theft specialists here from all over the continent who will walk around the town’s streets and inspect serial numbers. The law requires them to seize any motorcycle that has parts with inconsistent numbers, or if the serial numbers look like they’ve been altered. If you have such a bike, either ride a different bike, or be certain to bring along written documentation to prove the legality of the inconsistent or altered-looking numbers.

5. Do not, if you’re driving a four-wheeled vehicle, hang anything from the mirror. Not even a crucifix or a thread.

6. Check SD law if you’ve any questionable equipment on your bike.

The Buffalo Chip is not located within the city of Sturgis; therefore, the Sturgis municipal ordinances do not apply at the campground. The following information is provided so you’ll know what Sturgis expects when you are in town.

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

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

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

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

5. 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.

6. 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.

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

Ordinances and Fines
Indecent Exposure

12.0802

$111

Open Container In Public

13.0155

$61

Deposit of Filth

12.0601

$86

Disorderly Conduct

13.0102

$111

Careless Driving

16.0219

$91

City Parking Violations

16.0507

$10

City Trespassing

13.0113

$111

Dog Running at Large

1.0209

$56

Driving on Bike Path/Sidewalk

14.0303/#16.0216

$111

Exhibition Driving

16.0225

$66

Parking in Handicapped Zone

16.0507

$100

Reckless Driving

16.0218

Custody Arrest

Truck Routes Violations

16.0222

$91

Use of Mechanical and Electronic Sound Amplification Device

13.0116

Court Appearance Required

State Laws
Cancelled License

32-12-65(3)

$144

Violation of Restricted License

32-12-74

$94

Revoked Driver’s License

32-12-65(1)

Custody Arrest

Furnish Alcohol to Minor

35-9-1.1

Court Appearance Required

Open Container in Motor Vehicle

35-1-9.1

$94

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

Possession of Marijuana

22-42-6

Custody Arrest

Possession of Substances for High Abuse (Distribution):

22-42-2

Custody Arrest

**Juvenile Laws **
Underage Alcohol Possession/Consumption

35-9-2

Court Appearance Required

Underage Alcohol Possession/Consumption in Motor Vehicle

32-12-52.4

Court Appearance Required

Underage Purchase/Possession/Consumption of Cigarettes

34-46-2

$69

**Motorcycle Laws **
Carrying a Loaded Pistol or Revolver Without a Permit

22-14-9

Custody Arrest

Cyclists Overtaking in Same Lane

32-20-9.2

$94

Eye Protection Required

32-20-4.1

$20

Helmet Required (under age 18)

32-20-4

$69

Illegal Handlebar Height (must be shoulder height or shorter)

32-20-5

$20

Illegal Exhaust Motorcycle (must have baffles)

32-20-5

$20

Operation w/o Motorcycle Endorsement

32-20-2

$94