How to Register Your Car in SC From Another State

To register a car in SC from another state, you’ll pay your county vehicle property tax first, then bring your out-of-state title, proof of South Carolina insurance, and your paid tax receipt to an SCDMV branch, where you’ll pay a one-time $250 Infrastructure Maintenance Fee plus a $15 title fee and a $40 registration fee. The county stop before the DMV stop is the part that trips up most new residents.

When You Have to Register

South Carolina requires registration once you establish domicile in the state, or once you’ve operated the vehicle here for more than 150 accumulated days without establishing domicile.1South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code Title 56 Chapter 3 Section 56-3-210 – Time Period for Registration In practice, getting a South Carolina driver’s license is what signals domicile for most people.

Late penalties escalate quickly: $10 if you’re under 15 days late, $25 for 15 to 30 days, $50 for 30 to 90 days, and $75 past 90 days. Driving an unregistered vehicle on public roads more than 30 days after registration is required is a misdemeanor.2South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code Title 56 Chapter 3 Section 56-3-840 – Delinquent Registration and License Penalties Once you’re registered, your plates are good for 24 months before renewal.3South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code Title 56 Chapter 3 Section 56-3-253 – Establishment of Biennial Registration and Licensing

What to Bring

Assemble these before you leave the house:4SCDMV. Moving To SC – Vehicle

  • Your out-of-state title. You’ll surrender it. If there’s a lien, bring the lienholder’s name and address.
  • Proof of South Carolina residency. A South Carolina driver’s license is easiest. A current lease or utility bills showing your SC address also work. If you live in someone else’s home, that person must come with you to the SCDMV and sign an affidavit (Form TI-006A) confirming the vehicle is primarily garaged there.
  • Proof of South Carolina liability insurance from a company licensed in the state. State minimums are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. The SCDMV verifies coverage electronically, so activate the policy before your visit.5South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code Title 38 Chapter 77 Section 38-77-140 – Bodily Injury and Property Damage Limits
  • A completed Title Application, SCDMV Form 400, downloadable from the SCDMV site or available at any branch.6SCDMV. Titles
  • Your original paid property tax receipt from the county treasurer. See below.

Pay Your County Property Tax First

You cannot get a plate at the SCDMV until your county vehicle property tax is paid. South Carolina taxes vehicles annually as personal property, and the receipt is required before a plate can be issued.7Horry County SC.Gov. Vehicle Tax

Take your vehicle’s title or registration to your county auditor’s office. The auditor writes a tax bill based on the vehicle’s fair market value, set by the South Carolina Department of Revenue using standardized assessment guides. Personal cars and light trucks are assessed at 6% of fair market value; other motor vehicles are assessed at 10.5%. That figure gets multiplied by your local millage rate, which varies by county and municipality.8County of Greenville, SC. Vehicle FAQs Auditor offices generally won’t quote a number over the phone because too many variables feed into it.

Take the bill to your county treasurer and pay it. Most counties accept cash, check, money order, and major credit cards. Keep the original paid receipt for the SCDMV.

What You’ll Pay at the SCDMV

On top of your county property tax, expect these charges at the counter:

For a typical gasoline car, that’s about $305 at the SCDMV counter, plus whatever your county tax bill was.

At the SCDMV Counter

You have to go in person. Bring Form 400, the original out-of-state title, your paid property tax receipt, and proof of insurance.4SCDMV. Moving To SC – Vehicle The clerk verifies your insurance electronically, collects your fees, and hands you your South Carolina plates and registration card that day.

The new South Carolina title is not issued on the spot. The SCDMV runs your out-of-state title through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System to clear it, then mails the new title to your address. If there’s a lien, the title goes to the lienholder.6SCDMV. Titles

Leased Vehicles

If you lease, the process is the same with one addition: you’ll need a Power of Attorney from the leasing company, because you’re signing the Title Application on the lessor’s behalf. Ask the leasing company for it well before your SCDMV visit; some are slow to send it. You’ll also need the leasing company’s name and address as the lienholder.4SCDMV. Moving To SC – Vehicle

Active-Duty Military

Active-duty service members stationed in South Carolina who keep legal residency in another state don’t pay the $250 IMF, and the exemption extends to spouses and dependents.9South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code Title 56 Chapter 3 Section 56-3-627 – Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicles

Vehicle property tax may also be waived under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, provided you’ve claimed another state as your domicile on your Leave and Earnings Statement. Leased vehicles can qualify too, as long as the service member is stationed in South Carolina with a home of record elsewhere. Your county auditor makes the final call on eligibility, so contact them before paying.13South Carolina Department of Revenue. Exempt Property

No Safety or Emissions Inspection

South Carolina does not require a safety inspection or emissions test to register your vehicle, no matter where it came from. Once you’ve completed South Carolina registration, you can peel any old inspection sticker off the windshield.