Car Registration

You must register a new car purchase in South Carolina within 45 days of the sale. The state requires that all vehicles display either a license plate or temporary tag, so pick up an application for a temporary tag immediately at your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Many of the applications needed to register your vehicle in South Carolina can be obtained online using the free Adobe Reader.

When you register and tag your car, you will need to provide certain documents, some of which are available online using the free Adobe Reader:

• Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, or current title signed over to you.

• Bill of Sale―SC has certain security features in their Bill of Sale document, so you must pick up an original form at the DMV; you can view a sample Bill of Sale online.

• Name and address of lienholder, if applicable.

• Proof of insurance―South Carolina requires that you provide the name of the insurance company, not the agent.

• Completed registration application Form 400.

• Receipt for your paid property taxes―you must pay the taxes before you register.

• Appropriate fees―the title fee is $15 for all vehicles; the registration varies per vehicle―passenger cars and RVs must pay $24; persons 64 years old pay $22; persons 65 or older, or disabled, pay $20; while motorcycles, camp and utility trailers pay $10.

• Casual Sales Tax, which is 5% of the purchase price of the vehicle to be paid at the time of registration.

Although vehicles in South Carolina don't have to undergo smog and emission checks, it's a good idea to be as environmentally conscious as possible when it comes to driving.

Temporary Tags

You can apply for a 45-Day Temporary Tag when you purchase a vehicle in South Carolina, or move into the state. This tag is valid for 45 days from the date of purchase.

While driving with this tag, be sure to keep the current registration papers, your Bill of Sale, and any other documentation of the purchase in the vehicle with you. Law enforcement may request to see the documents if you are stopped or involved in an accident during those 45 days.

Insurance

Your insurance company and policy number are required when you register your vehicles with South Carolina. If you elect not to carry insurance, you may be eligible to file as an Uninsured Motorist by paying a $550 fee each year. This fee is not insurance; it is a privilege tax which allows you to drive legally without insurance.

You are not eligible if you have been convicted of any vehicle offense.

Renewals

Your SC property taxes must be paid before you can renew your license plates, but the state allows you to pay both at the same time at your County Treasurer. The paperwork will be processed overnight and your decal or license plate will be mailed to you the very next day.

Note that property taxes are collected every year, but vehicle registrations are only required every other year. The fee to renew your registration is $24.

Nonoperational Vehicles

There's no special registration for nonoperable vehicles in South Carolina.

Should you decide to cancel the registration on a vehicle, surrender your plates at a DMV location. If you're going to cancel the insurance, wait until after you've turned in the plates.