|LastUpdated:May2022
VEHICLE REGISTRATION IN
SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina requires current registration and licensing of every motor vehicle driven, operated, or moved on
its roads and highways. In order to register a vehicle, the owner of the vehicle must provide (either by mail or in
person) the vehicle’s title, proof of insurance, vehicle property tax receipt and payment for the registration fees
to the South Carolina DMV.
PERMANENTLY MOVING TO SOUTH CAROLINA
If you move to South Carolina you must first get a South Carolina driver’s license and transfer your vehicle’s
title and registration. Once your title is cleared through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System,
your new South Carolina title will be mailed to your new South Carolina address.
You have 45 days to apply for a South Carolina vehicle registration certificate after moving to the state. Your
registration will be good for 2 years.
*If you are titling/ registering your vehicle in South Carolina for the first time then you must follow the
following steps:
1. Update your vehicle insurance company with your new SC address. The company must be licensed to do
business in SC.
2. Contact your county of residence auditor's office and share the VIN of the vehicle you're registering in
SC. You will visit the auditor's office, and he or she will generate a property tax bill for the vehicle.
You must pay the property tax bill to the county treasurer before you can register your vehicle in this
state. You must bring the original paid property tax receipt to the SCDMV.
3. Visit the SCDMV with all of the following:
Completed Title Application (SCDMV Form 400)
Out-of-state vehicle title and/or registration
If there is a lien on your vehicle, you must bring the name and address of the company that holds
the lien. You will need your most recent registration.
Acceptable identification
Includes your valid SC or out-of-state beginner's permit, driver's license, or identification card,
a valid passport with visa, Employment Authorization Document, or a permanent residency card.
Liability insurance company information
Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney is needed if you're leasing your vehicle and if the Title Application
(SCDMV Form 400) is signed by the lessee (registrant) on behalf of the lessor (title holder).
Original paid vehicle property tax receipt from your county treasurer's office
$250 Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF)
Title and registration payment
* http://www.scdmvonline.com/Vehicle-Owners/Moving-To-SC
|LastUpdated:May2022
Once you have the receipts, you're ready to register and title your vehicle, which can be accomplished
simultaneously.
The SCDMV gives you two ways to register:
In person.
By mail.
VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS DURING ACTIVE DUTY
If you own a vehicle and you're on active duty military orders in South Carolina, you must have the Statement
of Vehicle Operation in South Carolina (SCDMV Form TI-006) with your valid out-of-state identification and
at least one of the following:
Military identification card
Orders indicating duties in SC
Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) showing deployment in SC
VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES*
South Carolina vehicle title and registration fees are as follows:
Passenger vehicles: $305 per vehicle ((vehicles with a higher gross vehicle weight may have a
higher fee)
to the SCDMV upon entering the state. This includes the $250 IMF, $15 title fee, and
$40 registration/license plate fee but does not include the property tax you will pay to your county
of residence.)
http://www.scdmvonline.com/Vehicle-Owners/Moving-To-SC
Hybrids (Road use fee): $60 + registration fee.
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 purchase price ($500 maximum). This is a one-time fee, paid
when registering your vehicle for the first time. (You will pay the IMF once per vehicle, but you will not
have to pay it again. You will pay the registration/plate fee every two years.)
http://www.scdmvonline.com/Vehicle-Owners/Moving-To-SC; http://www.scdmvonline.com/Fees
USEFUL NUMBERS/ WEB-ADDRESSES
Sumter Branch DMV office: 803-775-8559. Sumter County Auditor: 803-436-2136.
South Carolina DMV: http://www.scdmvonline.com/ DMV: https://www.dmv.org/
DISCLAIMER: THIS HANDOUT PROVIDES A GENERAL EXPLANATION OF VEHICLE
REGISTRATION. DO NOT RELY EXCLUSIVELY ON THIS HANDOUT. IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS OR SEEK ADVICE REGARDING THIS SUBJECT PLEASE:
CONTACT THE LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE, OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA BAR, AT 1-800-868-2284
(IN SUMTER: 803-799-6653) FOR A REFERRAL TO A LAWYER WHO PRACTICES IN THIS AREA OF
LAW. IF YOU ARE INDIGENT AND UNABLE TO PAY FOR A LAWYER’S SERVICE, YOU MAY WANT
TO CONTACT THE LEGAL AID TELEPHONE INTAKE SERVICE AT 1-888-346-5592 TO SEE IF YOU
QUALIFY FOR FREE OR REDUCED LEGAL SERVICES.
