Renewing a Dealer License

The agency is currently transitioning from issuing plates in the branch offices (BO) to issuing plates on-demand. This process will ensure a seamless changeover for the upcoming (EDRP) implementation. Effective immediately, please prepare for the changes in issuance of your dealership decals and registration cards and new plates and registration cards. Review changes here.

Renewing a Dealer License

To renew your dealer or wholesaler license, you mail all of the following to the SCDMV:

• Completed Application for a Dealer or Wholesaler License (SCDMV Form DLA-1)
• Certificate of Liability/Garage Insurance document
• Form Certification of Vehicles Sold By a Dealer (SCDMV Form DLA-1C) (to record any dealer-to-dealer or out-of-state sales)
• Bond Continuation Certificate
• A National Criminal Report (for any individual who owns or controls 10% or more of the business. The report cannot be more than 90 days old and can be obtained at National Criminal Report.)

*The National Criminal Reports are individually based and fees will vary. Reports are emailed to your submitted email address within a minimum of three to five days of purchase.

If you are requesting dealer demonstration plates with your license renewal, you must provide the following documents:

• A list of vehicle sales to qualify for demonstration plates.
  • You must have sold at least 15 vehicles during the previous 12 months (dealer license year) to receive two demonstration plates. Each additional 15 sales will allow you to receive another plate. Your plate eligibility will be determined from the SCDMV's system which calculates the total sales to SC retail buyers. If the number of SC retail sales does not warrant any or enough sales for plates, you can submit an out-of-state retail buyers or dealer to dealer sales.
    Out-of-state sales or dealer-to-dealer buys are the only sales to be submitted at an SCDMV branch.
• These sales can be listed on one of the following:
  • Certification of Vehicles Sold (SCDMV Form DLA-1C)
  • EVR Sales Volume Verification letter
  • Letter size paper listing a minimum of 15 numbered transactions with date of sale, complete name and address of buyer, vehicle year, make, and vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Paper copy of valid commercial (garage) liability insurance. Personal liability insurance policy is not acceptable.
  Name and physical address of insured must match name and physical address of dealership.
• $20 per plate

Renewals may be completed in person, as well.

Find an SCDMV branch

If you purchased a new surety bond since your last application, you must submit your original bond and Power of Attorney to the address below:

SCDMV
Dealer License Unit
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0023

Inspections for Renewals

Some dealer applicants require facility inspection upon renewal. The following criteria determines whether or not an inspection will be required:

• The dealer or wholesaler license has been expired for more than 90 days.
• The business type changed from a dealer to a wholesaler or from a wholesaler to a dealer.
• The name and/or address of the dealer or wholesaler changed.
• The ownership or location of the dealer or wholesaler changed.

Electronic Dealer Renewal Project (EDRP)

The SCDMV is working on a project for the electronic renewal of dealer and wholesaler licenses. This project’s purpose is to enhance the customer experience by streamlining the dealer license renewal process through an online platform that not only saves time and effort but also gives dealers more control in managing and viewing dealership profile information during the renewal period.

With electronic renewals, dealers will have the ability to verify their insurance and transmit a National Criminal Report electronically, submit additional sales volume, view dealership plates and sales history, and update dealership profile information at any time without having to travel to a branch office.

While a detailed timeline for the EDRP is provided in the below documents, the project will be rolled out in the following three phases: 

• Phase I:  Pilot (for pilot dealers to test the system) - March 20, 2024 - June 11, 2024
• Phase II:  Full Rollout (for all dealers to operate the new system) - June 12, 2024 - October 14, 2024
• Phase III:  Mandatory Online Renewal Only - October 15, 2024

To prepare for the upcoming change, the agency is asking dealers to review the below information.

Informational Resources about Project Details

• EDRP Need-to-Knows
• EDRP Flyer
• EDRP Information Sheet (with project timeline) 
• EDRP Questions & Answers

Training Sign Up

Training and testing opportunities will be provided to all dealers in the coming months. It is highly encouraged that every dealer takes advantage of the training and testing to ensure you are comfortable with and understand how the new system works and ask any questions for clarification.

All training will be held virtually via a Microsoft Teams and requires registration to secure your seat. 

The deadline to sign-up for training is December 13, 2023. Please reference the training dates below and submit an email, providing all the below information. For ease, copy and paste the below list in your email (dealerdocuments@scdmv.net) and fill in the information accordingly.

Email Subject: SIGN-UP FOR TRAINING
Dealership's Name:
Dealer #:
Contact Name:
Contact Number:
Contact Email:
Training Date you're signing up for:
License Type:
Franchise? (Yes or No)
Expiration Month:

Testing

Testing the new renewal system will also be a resource available to every dealer. You will be able to test the new system virtually, via an emailed link. Testing will take place between February and October 2024.

Updating Contacts and Employee List

Dealers should update their contact and employee list on a regular basis.

To update your dealership's contact and employee list, you may send the completed letter of request on a business letterhead by email or by fax to (803) 896-8172. In the letter of request, include the following information: 

• A request to add/remove the individual(s) who are authorized to make changes or updates to your dealer license. 
• The individual(s) full name, driver’s license number, address, and date of birth.
• If the individual resides out of state, include a front copy of their driver's license.

To add or remove an owner, please contact Dealer License and Audit Unit at (803) 896-2611 or dealerdocuments@scdmv.net to inquire of the documents needed.