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A South Carolina vehicle registration is documentation that connects Palmetto State residents to the type of transportation they own or lease, including a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or boat.

Residents of South Carolina can register their car with the South Carolina DMV either by mail or in person. They’ll need to be able to provide their vehicle title, proof of insurance, vehicle property tax receipt, and payment for the registration fees.

South Carolina residents can also transfer their license plates from their previous vehicle to their new one. Temporary vehicle registration permits are available for certain situations.

How to Register a Vehicle in South Carolina

New residents and new car owners must register their vehicle(s) with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) in a timely fashion. Below, South Carolina residents will find all the information needed to obtain a South Carolina registration certificate and license plate.

New to South Carolina?

New South Carolina residents have 45 days to apply for a South Carolina vehicle registration certificate after moving to the state. An SC registration is valid for 2 years.

Before registering, South Carolina residents must first pay their county’s vehicle property tax with their county auditor. Be sure to secure an original paid vehicle property tax receipt after paying because it is required to register a vehicle. Residents of this state will also have to pay the one-time $250 Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF).

Once the necessary receipts have been obtained, they’re ready to register and title their vehicle, which can be accomplished simultaneously. SC resident can register their vehicle in person or by mail.

Register in Person

To register in person, visit a local SCDMV office and provide:

  • A completed Application for Certificate of Title and Registration for Motor Vehicle or Manufactured Home/Mobile Home (Form 400).
  • The name of your auto insurance company. The SCDMV will verify coverage electronically. Be sure to update your new address with your car insurance provider before registering.
  • Paid vehicle property tax receipt.
  • Payment for SC vehicle registration fees (See “South Carolina Vehicle Registration Fees” below).

Register by Mail

To register by mail, send the documents listed above, along with a check or money order, to the address posted on the Application for Certificate of Title and Registration for Motor Vehicle or Manufactured Home/Mobile Home (Form 400).

How to Register a Car in South Carolina

After buying a vehicle – new or used – residents of this state have 45 days from the purchase date to register it. A South Carolina car registration certificate is valid for 2 years, starting with the month the resident initially registered it with the SCDMV.

Vehicles Purchased from an South Carolina Dealership

When buying from a dealer, the dealership will forward the South Carolina vehicle registration documents to the SCDMV.

Vehicles Gifted or Purchased from a Private Party

Before registering, SC residents need to pay their county’s vehicle property tax with their county auditor. South Carolina residents need an original paid vehicle property tax receipt when registering their vehicle.

SC residents can apply by mail or in person. The requirements are the same for both. If residents opt for mail, they can send the required documents and check to the address listed on the Application for Certificate of Title and Registration for Motor Vehicle or Manufactured Home/Mobile Home (Form 400).

Otherwise, visit a local South Carolina DMV office with:

  • A completed Application for Certificate of Title and Registration for Motor Vehicle or Manufactured Home/Mobile Home (Form 400).
  • Proof of car insurance. Provide the name of the auto insurance provider, not the agent. The SCDMV will verify your information electronically.
  • Paid property tax receipt.
  • Payment for SC vehicle registration fees (see “South Carolina Vehicle Registration Fees” below).

If the vehicle was gifted, residents are exempt from paying the Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) on it. To qualify for this exemption, be sure to complete Section G on the Application for Certificate of Title and Registration for Motor Vehicle or Manufactured Home/Mobile Home (Form 400).

If residents opt to register by mail, adhere to the same steps and send all required documents, along with a check or money order, to the address listed on the Application for Certificate of Title and Registration for Motor Vehicle or Manufactured Home/Mobile Home (Form 400). If SC residents are in a hurry to obtain SC license plates, they should consider registering in person.

Registering a Leased Vehicle

If the vehicle residents are registering has been leased, the lessor will need to fill out Section 4 on your Application for Certificate of Title and Registration for Motor Vehicle or Manufactured Home/Mobile Home (Form 400).

Registering a Foreign Vehicle

Non-residents who are temporarily visiting South Carolina driving a foreign vehicle do not have to apply for South Carolina vehicle registration, provided:

  • The vehicle is currently registered with your home country.
  • You do not own or lease property in South Carolina.
  • You do not drive the vehicle within the state for more than 150 days.

Should SC vehicle registration be required, follow the steps described in “New to South Carolina?” above.

Temporary SC Vehicle Registration

Depending on the situation, residents of this state may apply for a temporary registration permit, valid for 45 days. To apply, submit a completed Application for 45-Day Temporary Plates (Form 45-A) to the local DMV office, along with the $5 payment fee.

While driving with the temporary plate, keep these items in the car:

  • Bill of Sale or the car’s title.
  • Rental contract, if applicable.

If stopped by the police, SC residents need one of these documents for date-of-purchase verification.

Transferring a Vehicle Registration

To transfer an existing set of license plates to a new vehicle, visit any SCDMV office with:

  • The name of the car insurance company (not the insurance agent’s name). The SCDMV will use this information to electronically verify valid car insurance coverage.
  • The signed-over title, if it’s a used vehicle.
  • If the title does not provide an odometer reading and purchase information, SC residents also need to include a bill of sale.
    • If residents cannot find the title, they can learn how to order a duplicate on our “Replacing a Lost Title” section.
  • A Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) if the vehicle is new.
  • A completed Application for Certificate of Title and Registration for Motor Vehicle or Manufactured Home/Mobile Home (Form 400).
  • Payment to cover Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) and SC car registration fees. See “South Carolina Vehicle Registration Fees” below.

The state will allow residents to transfer the license plate to their new vehicle on the day of purchase. Until residents register this plate with their new vehicle (they have days from the purchase date), they must carry when driving:

  • The bill of sale.
  • The plate’s corresponding registration certificate.

Should you be stopped by law enforcement, both documents will be needed.

Vehicle Registration Fees

In South Carolina, there are various registration fees that need to be paid. South Carolina vehicle registration fees are as follows:

  • Passenger vehicles: $40.
  • Vehicle owners 64 years old: $38.
  • Vehicle owners 65 years old and older or disabled: $36.
  • Motorcycles: $10.
  • RVs: $40.
  • License plate transfer: $10.
  • Infrastructure Maintenance Fee: 5% of the purchase price ($500 maximum). This is a one-time fee, paid when registering your vehicle for the first time.

NOTE: The IMF is no required for gifted vehicles. Fill out Section G on the registration application.

  • Infrastructure Maintenance Fee: $250 (Fee is only required for new residents registering for the first time in South Carolina).

Late Vehicle Registration Fees

  • 46 to 60 days: $10.
  • 61 to 75 days: $25.
  • 76 to 135 days: $50.
  • More than 135 days: $75.

Accepted Payment Methods

South Carolina DMV offices accept:

  • Cash.
  • Checks.
  • Credit and debit cards.

South Carolina Vehicle Inspections

South Carolina does not mandate safety inspections or emission checks, so South Carolina residents do not have to worry about a vehicle inspection.

Obtain a Duplicate South Carolina Registration

If the registration certificate has been lost, damaged, or stolen, residents of this state may obtain a duplicate through the SCDMV online through the Public Services website, or in-person at their local DMV office.

Online

To replace a registration online through the DMV’s Public Services portal, it must be in good standing with the South Carolina DMV, and residents must have a valid MasterCard, VISA, or Discover credit card to pay the duplicate fee. SC residents need to enter their license plate number, and follow the rest of the prompts within the online service.

In-Person

To replace a registration in person, the local DMV office will provide residents with the required forms.

License Plates in South Carolina

When it comes time to register a vehicle, SC residents will be given the option to choose from a variety of license plates under the following categories:

  • Military.
  • Sports.
  • Organizations.
  • Colleges and universities.
  • Specialty.

Motorcycle Registration in South Carolina

All residents of South Carolina are required to register their motorcycles with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Use this guide to learn more about motorcycle registration for new and current residents of this state.

New to South Carolina

Upon establishing South Carolina residency, individuals must title AND register their motorcycle either in person or by mail with the South Carolina DMV within 45 days.

Residents of SC need to pay vehicle property tax in their SC county of residence before registering their motorcycle. Individuals can pay these taxes at their county auditor’s office. Keep the receipt for proof of taxes paid.

After paying the vehicle property tax, start the registration process by gathering the following items:

  • A Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (new motorcycles) or the title signed by the buyer and seller (used motorcycles). If the motorcycle’s title was issued prior to June 19, 1989, you must also provide a bill of sale.
  • A completed Application for Certificate of Title and Registration for Motor Vehicle or Manufactured Home/Mobile Home (Form 400).
  • The acceptable documents to prove your identity.
  • If applicable, the lienholder’s name and address.
  • Proof of South Carolina motorcycle insurance.
  • The receipt for proof of vehicle property tax paid.
  • Payment for the $10 base motorcycle registration fee PLUS any other applicable taxes and fees.

To complete the motorcycle’s registration, SC residents can:

  • Take the items above in-person to your local South Carolina DMV office.

OR

  • Mail the required items to:

South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016

Once accepted, the motorcycle registration will be valid for 2 years.

Registering An SC Motorcycle

When purchasing a motorcycle in South Carolina, residents have 45 days from the sale date to register it with the SC Department of Motor Vehicles.

The steps required for motorcycle registration vary depending on whether residents purchased their motorcycle from a dealer OR a private seller. Regardless of how individuals register, South Carolina motorcycle registrations are valid for 2 years.

Motorcycles Purchased at a Dealership

When SC residents buy a new or used motorcycle at a South Carolina dealership, the dealer can handle the registration. For a breakdown of the motorcycle registration costs, see below.

The dealer may provide a temporary registration while residents wait to receive their official license plates and registration in the mail.

Motorcycles Purchased from Private Sellers

If residents purchase a motorcycle from a private seller in SC, they’ll need to handle the registration process themselves. The South Carolina DMV allows residents to register their motorcycle in person, online, OR by mail.

Once residents have paid their vehicle property tax at their county auditor’s office, SC residents can begin the registration process by gathering:

  • The motorcycle’s Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (new bikes) or title signed by the buyer and seller (used motorcycles). South Carolina residents must also submit a bill of sale, if the motorcycle has a title issued prior to June 19, 1989.
  • The lienholder’s name and address, if applicable.
  • A completed Application for Certificate of Title and Registration for Motor Vehicle or Manufactured Home/Mobile Home (Form 400).
  • Proof of SC motorcycle insurance.
  • Acceptable proof of identity.
  • The receipt for paying the vehicle property tax.
  • The $10 base motorcycle registration fee AND any other applicable taxes and fees.

Once the above items are obtained, South Carolina residents can:

  • Take them in person to their local DMV office.
  • Visit the state’s online registration and titling portal.

OR

  • Mail them to:

South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016

Temporary Motorcycle Registration

If the motorcycle does not have license plates, SC residents may need to apply for temporary registration and plates while they wait for their permanent documents to arrive in the mail.

To apply for a temporary registration permit, which is valid for 45 days, visit the local SC DMV office branch with:

  • A completed Application for 45-Day Temporary Plates (Form 45-A).
  • Proof South Carolina motorcycle insurance.
  • The documents accepted by the DMV to prove your identity.
  • Payment for the $5 temporary registration fee.

While operating a bike with temporary registration and license plates, residents must have the motorcycle’s bill of sale OR title with them. These documents will be needed for a date-of-purchase verification if individuals are stopped by law enforcement.

Motorcycle Registration Fees & Taxes

Residents of South Carolina may be required to pay the following fees and taxes when they register their motorcycle with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles:

  • Motorcycle registration: $10.
  • Vehicle property taxes: Vary according to your county of residence—check with your county auditor’s office for specifics.
  • Sales tax: 5% of the motorcycle’s purchase price.
  • Temporary registration: $5.
  • Late fees for initial registration—Varies by delinquency period:
  • 46 to 60 days: $10.
  • 61 to 75 days: $25.
  • 76 to 135 days: $50.
  • Over 135 days: $75.
  • Title fee: $15
  • License plate transfer fee: $10

Boat Registration and Licenses in South Carolina

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) handles all vessel titling and registrations. Continue scrolling for complete instructions on how to title and register a boat and to learn about the qualifications needed to operate watercraft on The Palmetto State’s waters.

South Carolina Boats You Must Register & Title

The South Carolina DNR requires ALL vessels propelled by mechanical devices to be registered.

Additionally, residents of this state are required to title ALL watercraft used primarily on SC waters, including:

  • Sailboats.
  • Outboard motors with 5 horsepower or more.

Exemptions to the DNR’s titling requirement include:

  • Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard.
  • Windsurfers.
  • Watercraft propelled by humans (with instruments like oars or paddles).
  • Outboard motors with less than 5 horsepower.

SC residents who aren’t sure whether their vessel requires a title and/or registration can call the SC Department of Natural Resources at (843) 953-9300.

Boat Registration in South Carolina

After purchasing a vessel, SC residents have 30 days to title and/or register it with the SC Department of Natural Resources before late fees apply.

In general, to title and/or register a boat in South Carolina, residents of this state need to present the following items at a DNR boating office location:

  • A completed Watercraft/Outboard Motor Application (Form SCDNR BTR-1).
  • A notarized bill of sale, which is included in the application.

Any of the following proof of ownership documents:

  • The boat’s current, properly assigned title. If your vessel did not require a title, provide a written explanation of why your boat is exempt and a tracing or photograph of the hull identification number (HIN).
  • A Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin for brand new boats purchased from a dealer.

If the watercraft was previously titled, registered, OR purchased out-of-state:

  • The current registration card.
  • A pencil tracing or photograph of the vessel’s HIN.
  • Payment for all boat title and registration fees and taxes.

Depending on how individuals acquire the vessel (e.g. if the boat is homemade, or if the boat was inherited), SC residents may need to take additional steps to complete their title and registration application.

For specifics on what is required in these special situations, call the SC Department of Natural Resources’ boater registration office at (843) 953-9300.

SC Vessel Registration & Title Fees

The costs to title and/or register a boat with the South Carolina DNR are as follows:

South Carolina title and registration for:

  • New boats: $20.
  • Transferring ownership of a vessel: $20.
  • Sailboats with motorized propulsion: $20.

Title only for:

  • Sailboats propelled only by the wind: $10.
  • Non-motorized vessels: $10.
  • Boat registration renewal: $10.

Replacement:

  • Boat title: $5.
  • Registration card: $5.
  • Vessel decals: $5.

Additional late fee for:

Initial title/registration applications received AFTER:

  • 30 days have passed from the boat’s purchase date: $15.
  • 60 days have elapsed since the sale date: $30.
  • Registration renewals received MORE THAN:
  • 30 days after the vessel’s expiration date: $15.
  • 60 days after the registration’s expired: $30.
  • Casual excise tax (for all watercraft EXCEPT those purchased from an out-of-state dealer): 5% of the boat’s sale price.
  • Maximum casual excise tax: $300.
  • Use tax (for vessels bought from out-of-state dealers): 5% of the boat’s purchase price.

Renew A South Carolina Boat Registration

South Carolina boat registrations are renewed annually. Residents can renew their boat registration:

By providing details about their vessel and payment information:

  • Online

OR

  • By submitting a completed Boating Renewal, Duplicate Decals and Registration Cards (Form BM-402) AND the necessary renewal fees:
  • In-person at a DNR boating office.
  • By mail to:

SCDNR Boating
Attn: Renewal
P.O. Box 167
Columbia, SC 29202

SC residents who have questions about renewing their vessel registration can call the SC Department of Natural Resources’ boat registration office at (843) 953-9300.

Replacement SC Title & Registration

If the boat title, registration card, or decals are lost or damaged, residents of this state can request replacements by submitting a completed:

  • Boating Renewal, Duplicate Decals, and Registration Cards (Form BM-402) for duplicate registration cards AND/OR decals.
  • Watercraft/Outboard Motor Application (Form SCDNR BTR-1) for a duplicate title.
  • The applicable fees for duplicate registration, title, or decals.

You can turn in the items above:

  • In-person at a South Carolina Department of Natural Resources boating office.

OR

  • For replacement registration cards and/or decals, by mail to:

SCDNR Boating
Attn: Renewal
P.O. Box 167
Columbia, SC 29202

Boater Qualifications in South Carolina

In South Carolina, residents of this state who are younger than 16 years old can ONLY operate a boat with 15 hp or more if they:

  • Complete a state-approved boating safety class.

OR

  • Are supervised by an adult who’s at least 18 years old.

SC residents can fulfill the Department of Natural Resources’ boating education requirement:

  • Online—Check out the DNR’s boater education page for approved online education providers.
  • In the classroom—Register for an instructor-led course approved by the DNR.

Taking a boating safety course in South Carolina could save SC residents a boatload on insurance!

Accepted Forms of Payment

The South Carolina DMV accepts these forms of payment:

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit card (American Express is not accepted.)
  • Debit card (American Express is not accepted.)

Before heading to a South Carolina DMV, residents of this state need to make sure they have the proper payment ready to avoid late fees and other penalties.

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