Car Registration in South Carolina

SUMMARY: How to Register Your Vehicle in South Carolina

You can register your car with the SC DMV either by mail or in person. You'll need to be able to provide your vehicle title, proof of insurance, vehicle property tax receipt, and payment for your registration fees. You can also transfer your license plates from your previous vehicle to your new one. Temporary vehicle registration permits are available for certain situations.

New residents and new car owners must register your vehicle(s) with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) in a timely fashion.

To assist you, below you'll find all the information needed to obtain a South Carolina registration certificate and license plate.

NOTE: For information about special vehicle types, such as motorhomes, trailers, and custom-built cars, visit our guide to Other Vehicle Registrations.

New to South Carolina?

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.

Before registering, you must first pay your county's vehicle property tax with your county auditor. Be sure to secure an original paid vehicle property tax receipt after paying. You'll need this to register. You will also have to pay the one-time $250 Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF).

Once you have the receipts, you're ready to register and title your vehicle, which can be accomplished simultaneously. For more on titling, jump over to our Title Transfer page.

The SCDMV gives you two ways to register: 

  • In person.
  • By mail.
Just Moved?

Find all the information you need to finish your moving requirements with the DMV.

Register in Person

To register in person, visit your local SCDMV office with:

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 – you have 45 days from the purchase date to register it. Your South Carolina car registration certificate is valid for 2 years, starting with the month you initially registered it with the SCDMV.

Make sure you have an active car insurance policy when registering your vehicle.

Compare rates and buy your policy online: Visit the Insurance Center >>

Vehicles Purchased from a SC Dealership

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

Vehicles Gifted or Purchased from a Private Party

Before registering, pay your county's vehicle property tax with your county auditor. You will need an original paid vehicle property tax receipt when registering your vehicle.

You can apply by mail or in person. The requirements are the same for both. If you opt for mail, send 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 your local South Carolina DMV office with:

If the vehicle has been gifted, you 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 you 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 Application for Certificate of Title and Registration for Motor Vehicle or Manufactured Home/Mobile Home (Form 400). If you're in a hurry to obtain SC license plates, consider registering in person.

Registering a Leased Vehicle

If the vehicle you're 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

If you're a non-resident temporarily visiting South Carolina driving a foreign vehicle, you 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 your situation, you 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 your local DMV office, along with payment for $5 fee.

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

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

If stopped by the police, you'll need one of these documents for date-of-purchase verification. 

Transferring a Vehicle Registration

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

The state will allow you to transfer the license plate to your new vehicle on the day of purchase. Until you register this plate with your new vehicle (you have days from the purchase date), you 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 for SC Military

South Carolina Military Residents

If you're a South Carolina resident who was disabled due to military combat, your license plate fees will be waived by the SCDMV. To claim this waiver, follow the exact steps described in “ Registering a Vehicle Gifted or Purchased from a Private Party" above. In addition, you'll also need to provide supporting documents from the Veterans Administration or your county's Veterans Affairs officer as well as a completed Application for Military License Plate (Form MV-37).

Should you also qualify for a handicapped license plate, your special disabled war veteran plate will reflect your handicapped status.

Free license plates also apply to SC residents who were prisoners of war (POW). This covers:

  • World War I.
  • World War II.
  • Korean War.
  • Vietnam War.

In addition to the regular vehicle registration requirements as described above, you'll also need to provide a Application for Military License Plate (Form MV-37). For more information, contact your local SCDMV office.

Military Residents Stationed Out of State

If you're stationed outside of South Carolina, you may register a vehicle with the SCDMV via mail. Follow the steps described in “ Registering a Vehicle Gifted or Purchased from a Private Party" above.

Non-Resident Military Stationed in South Carolina

If you're an out-of-state military member stationed in South Carolina, you do not have to register your vehicle with the South Carolina DMV. You may drive with your out-of-state plates provided your registration is current and you carry car insurance.

Vehicle Registration Fees

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 purchase price ($500 maximum). This is a one-time fee, paid when registering your vehicle for the first time.
  • NOTE: The IMF is NOT REQUIRED for gifted vehicles. Fill out Section G on your 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. To learn more about what you can do to help reduce car emissions, visit our Smog & Emission Checks page.

Obtain a Duplicate SC Registration

If your registration certificate has been lost, damaged, or stolen, you may obtain a duplicate through the SCDMV online through the Public Services website, or in person at your local DMV office

Online

To replace your registration online through the DMV's Public Services portal, it must be in good standing with the South Carolina DMV, and you must have a valid MasterCard, VISA, or Discover credit card to pay the duplicate fee.

You'll need to enter your license plate number, and follow the rest of the prompts within the online service.

In Person

To replace your registration in person, the local DMV office will give you the required forms.

License Plates in South Carolina

When it comes time to register your vehicle, you'll be given the option to choose from a variety of license plates under the following categories:

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

Want more information on South Carolina's license plate options? Check out our License Plates & Placards page.

Replace a Lost SC License Plate

If your SC license plate is lost, stolen, or damaged to the extent that it's unreadable, the responsibility falls on you to replace it immediately.

You can submit a replacement request online, provided it's for the same license plate type and your current address is on file with the SCDMV. If you've recently moved and have not notified the SCDMV, learn what to do on our Changing Your Address page.

To use the online form, you'll need:

  • Your SC car registration certificate.
  • Visa, Discover or MasterCard to cover $6 per plate replacement fee.

If you want to replace it with a different license plate type, call the SCDMV at (803) 896-5000 for assistance.

Forms

400
Application for Certificate of Title and Registration for Motor Vehicle or Manufactured Home/Mobile Home
Apply for an original, transferred, OR duplicate (title only) South Carolina vehicle title and registration with this DMV form.
45-A
Application for 45 Day Temporary License Plate
Apply for temporary South Carolina license plates on a vehicle you recently purchased and have not yet registered.
MV-37
Application for Military License Plate
Application for South Carolina military license plates.
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