Buying and Selling FAQs in South Carolina

I found a car across the border in Tennessee that I want to buy. How do I get a South Carolina tag for it?

Complete an Application for Certificate of Title and Registration and submit it by mail to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV):

• South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles

• P.O. Box 1498

• Blythewood, SC 29016-0024

You can transfer a valid license plate from a previous car, but you'll still need to register the vehicle within 45 days of purchase.

I'm moving out of state. What should I do with my South Carolina car tags?

You'll need to surrender those license plates to the S.C. DMV. You can drop them off at your local DMV, or you can return them by mail to:

• South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles

• Mail-In Section

• P.O. Box 1498

• Blythewood, SC 29016-0019

One of my friends got a cool car from Italy, so now I'm thinking of buying one. How do I import a car to S.C.?

For general information about importing a vehicle, explore the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. After studying all its resources, contact your local DMV to get specifics about which forms you'll need to present during the registration and titling process, and whether you'll need to have the vehicle inspected.

The dealer put a temporary tag on my car when I bought it. How long is it valid?

Temporary license plates are valid for 45 days in South Carolina. When driving with one of these tags, be sure to carry the bill of sale, title, and rental contract (if applicable) with you at all times. You don't have to keep the originals in the car (in fact, you should never keep an original title in the car); copies will suffice.

How much will it cost to register my new car in South Carolina?

The registration fee for a regular passenger vehicle is $24, but thanks to a senior discount, you'll only pay $22 if you are 64 years old and $20 if you are 65 or older. The title fee is $15, and you'll also pay property taxes on your purchase. For more information, visit DMV.org's registration and titling pages.

Be sure to register on time. The DMV assesses stiff penalties for being late; these late fees range from $10 to $75, depending on how late you are to register or renew.

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