How To Register a Car In South Carolina
If you’ve purchased a vehicle in South Carolina, you’ll have 45 days from your purchase date to get it registered. Here’s what you’ll need to do it.
Written by Melanie Mergen
Reviewed by Claire Beaney
If you recently bought a vehicle in South Carolina, you’ll have 45 days from your purchase date to get it registered. Once it’s registered, you’ll need to continue making vehicle property tax payments annually and renew your registration every two years.
The process of registering a car can be confusing—especially if you’re doing it for the first time. Fortunately, the process is relatively simple once you figure out what documents you need and how much you’ll need to pay.
Whether you’ve just relocated to South Carolina or purchased a new vehicle, licensed
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How to register a car in South Carolina
The process of registering a vehicle for the first time in South Carolina is pretty straightforward, but what you’ll need to provide depends on your circumstances. Generally, that will include valid identification, a vehicle property tax payment receipt, proof of insurance, a completed title application form, and of course, payment for any applicable fees.
If you just moved to South Carolina
If you’re new to the Palmetto state, you’ll need to
get a South Carolina driver’s license
and get your vehicle’s title and registration transferred.Before you can transfer your title and registration, you’ll first need to:
- Contact your county auditor and provide them with your vehicle’s VIN
- Pay for any property taxes you owe via your county treasurer
You’ll need your paid property tax receipt to register your vehicle at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Depending on what county you live in, you might be able to
pay your tax online
.Once you’ve gotten that taken care of, here’s the complete list of what you’ll need when you make your trip to the DMV:
- A completedtitle application (Form 400)
- Your most recent vehicle registration
- Your vehicle’s out-of-state title—or, if you’re paying off a loan on your vehicle, you’ll need to provide the lienholder’s name and address
- Acceptable proof of identity (in-state or out-of-state driver’s license, passport, permanent residency card, etc.)
- Proof ofminimum required car insurance
- A power of attorney if you’re leasing your vehicle and the title application is signed by the registrant on behalf of the leaseholder
- Your vehicle property tax payment receipt
- $250 for theinfrastructure maintenance fee (IMF)
- Payment for your title and registration
According to the South Carolina DMV, the cost to title and register a vehicle for the first time in the state will typically be about $305 per vehicle, which includes the $250 IMF, a $15 title fee, and a $40 registration and license plate fee. It doesn’t, however, include the vehicle property tax you’ll owe to your county treasurer. Additionally, vehicles with higher gross vehicle weights may owe more, and hybrid and electric vehicles can come with additional fees.
That $250 IMF might seem especially disheartening, but fortunately, you’ll only owe it once per vehicle. So, as long as you’re driving the same set of wheels, it’s not a cost you’ll have to worry about every time you renew your registration. The registration and plate fee applies every two years.
You can review the list of title and registration fees that apply to you, as well as their associated costs, on the
South Carolina DMV website
.If you just bought a car
If you recently
bought a new or used vehicle
, you’ll also have 45 days from the purchase date to register it. Many of the documents you’ll need are shared in the list above. They include:- A completedtitle application (Form 400)
- A title with the first assignment completed (buyer’s name and address, any lienholder information, odometer reading, sales price and date, seller’s and buyer’s signatures)
- A bill of sale, if the title doesn’t include the sales price
- Current license plate number, if plates are being transferred (but the transfer can’t be between owners)
- IMF and sales tax payments, if applicable
- Payment for applicabletitle and registration fees
Documents and payments can be presented in person at a DMV location (which you can find on the
DMV website
) or via certified mail
. How much insurance coverage do you need in South Carolina?
You’ll need to provide proof of insurance the first time you register a vehicle in South Carolina, as well as whenever you need to renew your registration. The same goes for applying for or renewing your driver’s license.
In South Carolina, that proof of insurance, at minimum, needs to have the following coverages:
- At least $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
This coverage can give you some financial security in case you’re ever found at fault for an accident, but it won’t cover damage to your own vehicle. That’s why it’s usually a good idea to consider purchasing additional coverage, like
collision insurance
and comprehensive coverage
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How to renew your South Carolina vehicle registration
As a South Carolina resident, you’ll need to renew your vehicle registration every two years. But keep in mind you’ll still need to pay vehicle property taxes yearly, and your tax payments must be up-to-date before you can renew your registration.
Ahead of your registration expiration date, you should receive a notice that your vehicle registration is about to expire—as long as your mailing address on file with the DMV is up to date.
To renew your South Carolina vehicle registration, you’ll need:
- Up-to-date payment status on vehicle property taxes (your county should notify the DMV after you’ve made your payment)
- Proof of adequate car insurance coverage
- Payment for applicable registration renewal fees
If you’ve moved and the address on your current registration is no longer current, you’ll also need to
update your address
with the DMV. Both property taxes and registration renewal fees can be paid at your county treasurer's office. Once they’ve been paid, the DMV will mail you your plates and/or registration decals.
How to replace a lost registration sticker or license plate
To replace a lost or stolen registration sticker and/or license plate, you can request a replacement from the DMV. You’ll have to meet the following criteria:
- The current license plate is in “good standing” with the DMV
- You must be able to provide your current vehicle registration
- Your address on file with the DMV must be current
If you can check all those boxes, you can
request a replacement plate online
, and the same goes for replacement license plate decals
.How to save on auto insurance in South Carolina
Having adequate
car insurance
is an important part of keeping your South Carolina vehicle registration up-to-date. Whatever level of coverage you’re looking for, the Jerry
app makes it quick and easy to find—and it can help you ensure you don’t overpay for your South Carolina insurance costs
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FAQs
What are the requirements to register a vehicle in South Carolina?
Generally, the documents required to register a vehicle in South Carolina will include a completed title application, a vehicle property tax payment receipt, proof of identification, and proof of car insurance. You’ll also need to have payment ready for any applicable fees.
Depending on the circumstances of your registration, like if you just moved to South Carolina or you’re registering a newly purchased vehicle for the first time, you might need to provide additional documents.
How much does it take to register a car in South Carolina?
How much it costs to register your vehicle in South Carolina depends on what
fees
are applicable to you. Most passenger cars will have a $40 registration fee and a $15 title fee. If the IMF applies to you, that fee is $250 for new South Carolina residents, or 5% of the vehicle’s purchase price up to $500. Additional fees might apply depending on your gross vehicle weight. Electric vehicles come with a $120 road-use fee, and hybrid vehicles have a $60 road-use fee.
You’ll also need to account for annual vehicle property taxes.
What is the cost to register a truck in South Carolina?
The cost to register a truck in South Carolina will largely depend on its gross vehicle weight. For example, trucks weighing between 4,001 and 5,000 pounds have a $40 fee, while trucks that weigh between 9,001 and 10,000 pounds will have a $100 fee.
The DMV’s
schedule of license fees
documents outlines registration costs for trucks and trailers based on weight.Who is exempt from registering their vehicle in South Carolina?
Active duty military personnel who aren’t South Carolina residents are exempt from annual vehicle property taxes, as long as they can meet the necessary criteria.
However, vehicle registration is still required. When registering your vehicle, you’ll need to provide a
statement of vehicle operation in South Carolina form
, valid proof of identification, your military ID card, the orders indicating your duties in the state, and your leave and earnings statement (LES) showing your assignment. An IMF might also apply.Reduce your monthly car payments in minutes?
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