South Carolina Car Registration — IMF, Form 400 & 45-Day Rule

Registering a Car in South Carolina

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South Carolina vehicle registration is split between two agencies: the county Treasurer or Auditor assesses and collects the annual personal property tax, and the SCDMV issues the title, plate, and registration card. New residents have 30 days from establishing residency to register, and any new vehicle purchase must be registered within 45 days of the sale.

Step 1: Pay county property tax

South Carolina is one of a handful of states that taxes personal property on vehicles every year. The county Treasurer or Auditor's office assesses the tax based on the SCDMV's depreciation schedule. The bill must be paid before the SCDMV will issue or renew the registration. Charleston, Richland, and Greenville counties typically have the highest assessments; rural counties run lower. Many counties accept online payment with a credit card.

Step 2: The Infrastructure Maintenance Fee

South Carolina charges an Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) instead of a traditional sales tax on vehicles. The IMF is 5% of the purchase price, capped at $500 per vehicle. A $9,000 used car pays 5% × $9,000 = $450. A $40,000 SUV pays the $500 cap. The fee was created by the 2017 Roads Bill and applies to:

  • Vehicles purchased in South Carolina from a dealer or private seller.
  • Vehicles brought into South Carolina from another state and titled here for the first time.
  • Most vehicle transfers between non-immediate-family parties.

The IMF is paid at the SCDMV branch when titling the vehicle, not at the dealership. A few transactions are exempt — gifts between certain immediate family members, transfers to/from a revocable trust, and inheritance transfers.

Step 3: Title and registration application

Bring the following to any SCDMV branch:

  • Out-of-state title (or in-state title for transfers) signed over to the new owner.
  • Bill of sale showing purchase price (used to calculate IMF).
  • Lien information, if the vehicle is financed.
  • Proof of South Carolina liability insurance at 25/50/25 minimums — see SC insurance.
  • Driver's license or SC ID for each owner on the title.
  • County property tax receipt (paid before the SCDMV visit).
  • Completed Form 400 — Application for Certificate of Title and Registration.

The SCDMV verifies the VIN, calculates the IMF, charges the title and registration fees, and issues a temporary plate or your permanent plate the same day. The metal title is mailed in 7-10 business days.

Fees

  • Title fee — $15.
  • Registration fee — $40 for a passenger car (biennial fee available).
  • IMF — 5% of purchase price, capped at $500.
  • County property tax — varies by county; a few hundred dollars on a typical mid-priced vehicle.
  • Lien recording fee — $15 if the vehicle is financed.
  • Plate transfer fee — $10 if you're moving plates from another vehicle.

New residents

If you've moved to South Carolina from another state, you have 30 days to retitle and register your vehicle in SC. Bring the out-of-state title (or a copy if it's held by a lienholder), proof of SC residency, proof of SC insurance, and a current odometer reading. The SCDMV will charge the IMF (capped at $500) on the vehicle's value when retitling, even though the vehicle was previously titled out of state.

Inspection requirements

South Carolina has no annual safety inspection and no emissions inspection requirement for passenger vehicles. A VIN inspection is performed at the SCDMV branch on out-of-state vehicles being titled in South Carolina for the first time, but no further inspection is required at any subsequent renewal — see SC registration renewal for the simplified annual cycle.

Common reasons for delay

  • The county property tax wasn't paid before the SCDMV visit.
  • The bill of sale doesn't show the purchase price (the SCDMV uses NADA values to calculate IMF when the bill of sale is missing or under-reported).
  • The lienholder has not released a previous lien on the title.
  • The insurance policy hasn't been activated and reported to the SCDMV's verification system.

For a national perspective on registration, see our national vehicle registration guide.

Official sources

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