Register a vehicle in South Carolina

Online or in person

No online option described · Branch or certified mail, after the county property taxSCDMV describes a branch visit, or certified mail, after you pay the county property tax. You must pay your county property tax first and bring the original paid receipt. You may instead mail (certified only) your documents and payment to SCDMV.

Cost

Title fee, registration fee and IMF or sales taxInfrastructure maintenance fee or sales tax is 5% of the purchase price, but no more than $500. The page does not state the title or registration fee amounts.

You leave with

Plate, decal and registration cardA registration cannot be issued without a title first being issued. When you move in from another state, the new SC title is mailed after the out-of-state title is cleared.

Your plan

1. Gather your documents

   • Completed Title Application (SCDMV Form 400) · all that apply
   • Title signed over to you by the seller · all that apply
     The price and odometer reading at the time of sale must be on the back of the title; if not, you need a Bill of Sale.
   • Original paid property tax receipt from your county treasurer · all that apply
     Contact your county auditor with the VIN to get the property tax bill, and pay it to the county treasurer first.
   • Statement of Vehicle Operation in South Carolina (Form TI-006C) · all that apply
     Only if you do not have an SC driver's license or ID.
   • Payment · all that apply
     Title fee, registration fee, and the infrastructure maintenance fee or sales tax. Hybrid and electric vehicles owe an additional fee for a license plate.

2. Pay the county property tax

   Contact your county auditor's office with the vehicle's VIN (and your most recent registration card, if moving in). A property tax bill is generated. Pay it to the county treasurer and keep the original paid receipt.

   Registration on dmv.sc.gov ↗

3. Visit an SCDMV branch

   Bring the documents and pay the title and registration fees to title and register at the same time. You may instead mail (certified only) your documents and payment, made out to the SCDMV, to SCDMV, Titles and Registration, PO Box 1498, Blythewood, SC 29016-0024.

   Find an SCDMV branch ↗

4. Need a plate right away?

   A traceable 60-day temporary plate needs the title, bill of sale or lease contract from the seller and a completed Application to Issue or Replace 60-Day Temporary Plates (Form 60-A), brought to a branch.

   Registration on dmv.sc.gov ↗