If you purchase a new or used vehicle or move to South Carolina from another state, you must apply for a new vehicle title and registration. You may apply for the title and registration by mail. The Form 400, Application for Certificate of Title/Registration, which must be completed, contains the proper mailing address for the department. Please use your legal name from your Driver's License or if you are a business use your legal name from your business license.

Please note that South Carolina will only issue a certificate of title for a vehicle that is physically located in South Carolina.

Vehicles must be registered every two years. Passenger vehicle registrations are renewed every other year in the month you first registered your vehicle in South Carolina. A renewal sticker will be issued each year after you pay your vehicle property taxes. You may renew your vehicle registration through the mail when you pay your vehicle property taxes.

When you purchase a new or used vehicle in South Carolina, you may either purchase a new plate for your vehicle or transfer a plate from a vehicle you already own. You have 45 days to title and register your vehicle from the date of purchase.

Beginning January 1, 2003, all vehicles operating on the streets or highways of South Carolina must display a regular license plate or a temporary license plate. The temporary plate is only valid for 45 days from the date of purchase of the vehicle and will be available at your local DMV office or county auditor's office beginning December 16, 2002. While operating a vehicle with a temporary plate, you must keep the bill of sale, title, rental contract or a copy of either document in your vehicle all times to verify the dates of purchase to law enforcement. You may also transfer a license plate from another vehicle, but you must properly register the vehicle within 45 days from the date of purchase. During the 45-day period, you must keep a copy of the registration for the old vehicle and the bill of sale, title, rental contract or a copy of either document in your vehicle all times to verify the dates of purchase to law enforcement. Temporary license plates cannot be used to test drive a vehicle or to operate a vehicle until it is sold.  

The 45-Day temporary license plates are now available at your local DMV branch office. You can download Form 45-A, Application for 45-Day Temporary Plates and submit this form to your nearest DMV office.

You may apply for your vehicle title and registration by mail. The Form 400, Application for Certificate of Title/Registration which must be completed, contains the proper mailing address for the department.

You must have the following to purchase a new plate and title for a newly purchased vehicle:

• Title or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin.  If you have purchased a used vehicle, you must have the title of the vehicle and the previous owner of the vehicle must have signed the title over to you. If the title was issued prior to June 19, 1989, you must also submit a Bill of Sale. If you have purchased a new vehicle, you must have the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin.
• Lien Information.  If there is a lien on your vehicle, you must provide the name and address of the lienholder and the date of the lien.
• Liability Insurance information.  You must provide the name of your automobile liability insurance company, not the name of the agent.
• Completed Form 400, Application for Certificate of Title/Registration.  To complete the form, you must have your vehicle odometer mileage reading and any current lien information.
• Original Paid Vehicle Property Tax Receipt.  Before you can register your vehicle in South Carolina, you must first pay the vehicle property taxes that are required in the county in which you reside.
• Casual Sales Tax.  Sales tax totaling 5% of the vehicle purchase price ($300.00 maximum) must be paid when you register a newly purchased vehicle in South Carolina. Truck fees may vary according to the gross vehicle weight of the truck.
• Title and Registration Fees.

Flood-damaged vehicles from areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita may be in South Carolina and some dishonest businesses and individuals may try to sell them without revealing the true history of the vehicle. To learn more about how you can avoid purchasing one of these damaged vehicle, visit the SC Department of Consumer Affairs website and get tips from the experts.

When you purchase a vehicle in South Carolina, you may wish to transfer the plate from trade-in vehicle to your newly purchased vehicle. You have 45 days to title and register your vehicle from the date of purchase.

Beginning January 1, 2003, all vehicles operating on the streets or highways of South Carolina must display a regular license plate or a temporary license plate. The temporary plate is only valid for 45 days from the date of purchase of the vehicle and will be available at your local DMV office or county auditor's office beginning December 16, 2002. While operating a vehicle with a temporary plate, you must keep the bill of sale, title, rental contract or a copy of either document in your vehicle all times to verify the dates of purchase to law enforcement. You may also transfer a license plate from another vehicle, but you must properly register the vehicle within 45 days from the date of purchase. During the 45-day period, you must keep a copy of the registration for the old vehicle and the bill of sale, title, rental contract or a copy of either document in your vehicle all times to verify the dates of purchase to law enforcement.

The 45-Day temporary license plates are now available at your local DMV branch office. You can download Form 45-A, Application for 45-Day Temporary Plates and submit this form to the DMV.

You may apply for your vehicle title and registration by mail. The Form 400, Application for Certificate of Title/Registration, which must be completed, contains the proper mailing address for the department.

You must have the following to transfer your vehicle registration to your newly purchased vehicle:

• Title or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin.  If you have purchased a used vehicle, you must have the title of the vehicle and the previous owner of the vehicle must have signed the title over to you. If this title does not have the Bill of Sale and odometer information on the back of the document, you must also submit a Bill of Sale. If you have purchased a new vehicle, you must have the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin.
• Lien Information.  If there is a lien on your vehicle, you must provide the name and address of the lienholder and the date of the lien.
• Liability Insurance information.  You must provide the name of your automobile liability insurance company, not the name of the agent.
• Completed Form 400, Application for Certificate of Title/Registration To complete the form, you must have your vehicle odometer mileage reading and any current lien information.
• Casual Sales Tax.  Sales tax totaling 5% of the vehicle purchase price ($300.00 maximum) must be paid when you register a newly purchased vehicle in South Carolina. Truck fees may vary according to the gross vehicle weight of the truck.
• Title and Registration Fees.  There is a $10.00 fee to transfer a plate from one vehicle to another. The title fee is $15.00.  If you would like to expedite the title process and receive your title within three business days, you must pay an additional expedited title fee of $20.00.

When you lease a vehicle in South Carolina, you may either purchase a new plate for the vehicle or transfer a plate from a vehicle you already own. You have 45 days to title and register the  vehicle from the date of lease.

You may apply for the title and registration by mail. The Form 400, Application for Certificate of Title/Registration, Section 4 (Leasing Information) must be completed by the lessor (leasing company). Use your legal name from your driver's license or, if you are a business, use the legal name on your business license.  If this form is being signed on behalf of another individual, a Power of Attorney must be included.

If you do not plan to drive your vehicle, you may wish to obtain a title only for your newly purchased vehicle. You have 45 days to title your vehicle from the date of purchase. It is important to note that South Carolina will only issue a certificate of title for a vehicle that is physically located in South Carolina. If the seller’s title to the vehicle is from another state or the vehicle will not be registered in South Carolina, a DMV staff member must verify the vehicle identification number (VIN) before a title can be processed.

You may apply for the title by mail. The Form 400, Application for Certificate of Title/Registration, which must be completed, contains the proper mailing address for the department.

To obtain a title only, you must have the following:

• Title or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin.
  If you have purchased a used vehicle, you must have the title of the vehicle and the previous owner of the vehicle must have signed the title over to you. If this title does not have the Bill of Sale and odometer information on the back of the document, you must also submit a Bill of Sale. If you have purchased a new vehicle, you must have the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin.
• Lien Information.
  If there is a lien on your vehicle, you must provide the name and address of the lien holder and the date of the lien.
• Completed Form 400, Application for Certificate of Title/Registration.
  To complete the form, you must have your vehicle odometer mileage reading and any current lien information.
• Paid Vehicle Property Tax Receipt.
  Before you can register your vehicle in South Carolina, you must first pay the vehicle property taxes that are required in the county in which you reside.
• Casual Sales Tax.
  Sales tax totaling 5% of the vehicle purchase price ($300.00 maximum) must be paid when you register a newly purchased vehicle in South Carolina. Truck fees may vary according to the gross vehicle weight of the truck.
• Title Fee.
  The title fee is $15.00.

If you have lost your title, you may obtain a duplicate title from the Department of Motor Vehicles. You may apply for the duplicate title by mail or by visiting your local SCDMV field office. The Form 400, Application for Certificate of Title/Registration, which must be completed, contains the proper mailing address for the department.

To obtain a duplicate title, you must have the following:

• Completed Form 400, Application for Certificate of Title/Registration.
  To complete the form, you must have your vehicle odometer mileage reading and any current lien information.
• Title Fee.
  The title fee is $15.00.

Important note: If there is a lien on your vehicle, the duplicate title will be sent to the lien holder.

If you have inherited a vehicle, you may obtain a title and registration with or without a probated will or estate. You may apply for the vehicle title and registration by mail. The Form 400, Application for Certificate of Title/Registration, which must be completed, contains the proper mailing address for the department.

Beginning January 1, 2003, all vehicles operating on the streets or highways of South Carolina must display a regular license plate or a temporary license plate. The temporary plate is only valid for 45 days from the date of purchase of the vehicle and will be available at your local DMV office or county auditor's office beginning December 16, 2002. While operating a vehicle with a temporary plate, you must keep the bill of sale, title, rental contract or a copy of either document in your vehicle all times to verify the dates of purchase to law enforcement. You may also transfer a license plate from another vehicle, but you must properly register the vehicle within 45 days from the date of purchase. During the 45-day period, you must keep a copy of the registration for the old vehicle and the bill of sale, title, rental contract or a copy of either document in your vehicle all times to verify the dates of purchase to law enforcement.

The 45-Day temporary license plates are now available at your local DMV branch office. You can download Form 45-A, Application for 45-Day Temporary Plates and submit this form to your nearest DMV office. If you are applying for a title and registration for an inherited vehicle, you must have the following:

• Original Court Appointment or Completed Form 4036, Inheritance Affidavit.
  If there is a probated will or estate, you must have the original court appointment. The court appointment can be obtained from the County Probate Court and should state the name of the personal representative of the estate. If there was no probated will or estate, you must complete Form 4036, Inheritance Affidavit, which is available on this website or by visiting any DMV branch office. Unless the heir is a spouse, all surviving heirs must sign the Form 4036.
• Vehicle Title
  If there is a probated will or estate, the personal representative of the estate must sign the title to transfer the ownership of the vehicle.
• Original Paid Vehicle Property Tax Receipt.
  Before you can register the vehicle, you must first pay the vehicle property taxes that are required in the county in which you reside. To pay the taxes, you should take a copy of the court appointment or Form 4036 and the title that has been transferred to you to your county tax office. You must provide your tax receipt to the DMV.
• Completed Form 400, Application for Certificate of Title/Registration.
  To complete the form, you must have your vehicle odometer mileage reading and any current lien information.
• Liability Insurance information.
  You must provide the name of your automobile liability insurance company, not the name of the agent.
• Title and Registration Fees

In South Carolina, payment of personal vehicle property taxes is required before a license plate can be issued or renewed. The taxes are paid directly to the county treasurer of the county where you live in South Carolina. Tax rates vary and are determined by the county auditor in each county.

If you are a first-time registrant, you will need to take your title or current registration to the county auditor's office in order to receive a tax bill. The amount due is paid to the county treasurer who will issue a paid vehicle property tax receipt.

If you are renewing your South Carolina registration, you will receive a vehicle property tax bill/renewal reminder from the county treasurer's office. You may pay your vehicle property taxes directly to the county treasurer's office in the county where you reside. See Registration Renewals below for additional information.

In South Carolina, payment of personal vehicle property taxes is required before a license plate can be renewed. Citizens can pay both the vehicle property taxes and renewal fees at the county treasurer's office. After this is done, the license plate or validation number is issued in an overnight program and mailed to the customer from the DMV the next working day.

If you do not receive your license plates and/or decal within ten working days, you may obtain one at a DMV branch office. If you have an adjusted tax bill, owe a penalty or must have your registration corrected to reflect a senior citizen discount, you may also visit a DMV branch office.  You may be issued a license plate or validation that shows a different expiration date than shown on your vehicle registration. This is necessary because personal vehicle property taxes must be paid on a yearly basis while registration fees are collected on a two-year basis. SCDMV accepts only original paid property tax receipts. Printed receipts for online county tax payments are not accepted.

When registering your vehicle, you must provide the name of your insurance company and policy number. If you are issued a driver's license for the first time in South Carolina, you will be required to provide vehicle insurance information.

If your liability insurance is cancelled or expired, you must return your vehicle's license plate and registration to DMV or reinstate your coverage. Otherwise, your driver license and vehicle plate will be suspended and you will be subject to a reinstatement fee of $200 and $5 penalty for each day the vehicle was uninsured or plate(s) was not turned in. The maximum penalty for the first offense is $400 per vehicle.

As of February 1, 1999 vehicle owners can pay a $550.00 Uninsured Motorist Fee. The $550.00 fee is not an insurance premium and the owner is not purchasing any insurance by paying this fee. The $550.00 Uninsured Motorist Fee is for the privilege to drive and operate an uninsured motor vehicle on the South Carolina roads. Owners that pay the $550.00 Uninsured Motorist Fee are liable for damages if they are at fault in an accident.

If you and every driver in your household has held a driver's license for three or more years, you may qualify to register as an uninsured motorist. However, you are not qualified to participate if you (the owner) are presently required to file SR-22 insurance or have been convicted of any of the following violations within the past three years:

• Disobeying any official traffic device or officer directing traffic
• Failing to stop for a law enforcement officer when signaled
• Failing to stop for a school bus
• Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury or property damage
• Theft or unlawful taking of a vehicle
• Racing on public highways
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Reckless driving
• Reckless homicide, homicide or assault involving the operation of a motor vehicle
• Felony involving the use of a motor vehicle
• Transporting illegal whiskey, unlawful drugs, or other controlled or narcotic substances
• Willfully making false statements when applying for a license or registration
• Impersonating an applicant or obtaining a license or registration by impersonating himself or another
• Three or more moving traffic violations
• Two or more accidents that resulted in injury exceeding $600 or property damage exceeding $1,000.

You may obtain the application to register as an uninsured motorist by clicking here.

If you discover that you reported the odometer mileage on your vehicle incorrectly when you registered it, there are steps you can take to correct the title. To request a correction, you must provide a copy of the incorrect title, complete the required forms, provide documentation proving an error was made, and pay the required title fee.

The following documents are required to request an odometer mileage correction:

1. Form 400, Application for Certificate of Title/Registration,
2. Form TI-008, Odometer Correction Request, and
3. The incorrect title

When you submit your paperwork to correct the title, you must also provide documentation proving that an error was made. If you do not provide supporting documentation, DMV may be unable to change the title. Acceptable forms of proof are as follows:

1. A series of repair records that show the vehicle mileage.
2. A series of oil change records that show the mileage history.
3. Statements from previous owners certifying mileage of the vehicle at the time of transfer. These statements cannot be used to certify the actual mileage of the vehicle and will require an indication of “Warning – not actual mileage” be added to the title.

All requests for odometer corrections will be processed at the Headquarters’ Title Section and may take ten to fifteen business days to process.