Trailers, Motorcycles, RVs and More in South Carolina

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

South Carolina registers a wide range of non-passenger vehicles — trailers, motorcycles, mopeds, recreational vehicles, antique cars, and farm trucks — through the SCDMV under specialized fee schedules. Most of these registrations follow the standard process described on the SC car registration page, but each category has its own quirks worth knowing.

Motorcycles

South Carolina motorcycles register through the SCDMV with the same Form 400 used for cars. The annual registration fee for a motorcycle is $10, lower than the $40 passenger-car rate. To operate the motorcycle, the rider needs a Class M endorsement on the SC driver's license, obtained by passing a separate motorcycle skills test or completing an approved Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. Helmet use is required for riders under 21 (no universal helmet law). The IMF still applies to motorcycle purchases at 5%, capped at $500.

Mopeds

South Carolina classifies a moped as a two- or three-wheel vehicle with an engine displacement of 50cc or less and a top speed of 30 mph or less. Mopeds require an SCDMV registration with an annual fee of $5, plus an SC moped operator's license (Class G) for riders without a regular driver's license. Helmet use is required for moped operators under 21. Mopeds cannot be operated on interstate highways.

Trailers

South Carolina trailer registrations are split by weight:

Utility and small trailers with a gross weight of 2,500 lbs or less — annual registration fee around $12, with a permanent plate option in some cases.
Travel trailers and larger utility trailers — annual fee scales with gross weight.
Commercial trailers — fee varies by weight class and use.

Trailers without titles (the original purchase came without a manufacturer's certificate of origin) can sometimes be registered through a bonded title process — bring a notarized bill of sale, photos, and a surety bond covering the assessed value to the SCDMV.

Recreational vehicles (RVs)

Class A, Class B, and Class C motorhomes register as passenger vehicles in South Carolina, but with elevated fees that scale with gross weight. RVs over 26,000 lbs may require a non-commercial Class E driver's license; the SCDMV publishes the threshold rules in the SC Driver's Manual. Travel trailers and fifth wheels register as trailers under the weight schedules above. Both trailer-style and motorized RVs pay the IMF on first titling, capped at $500.

Antique and historic vehicles

Vehicles 30 years old or older can be registered with an Antique Plate. The plate carries a one-time registration fee in lieu of annual renewal — this is a meaningful saving over standard plates. Antique plates restrict the vehicle to:

Exhibitions, shows, parades, and tours.
Maintenance trips of limited distance.
Other occasional non-commuter use.

Daily commuting and routine errands are not permitted on an antique plate. Owners who want full daily-driver use should register the vehicle with a standard passenger plate even if it qualifies as antique.

Farm vehicles

Farm trucks used primarily for transporting agricultural products to and from farms register with a Farm Plate. The annual fee is reduced and the IMF cap still applies on first titling. Farm plates limit operation to roads within a defined radius of the farm and prohibit hauling for hire. Farms operating fleets of trucks should consult the SCDMV for special-use rules and weight limits.

Off-highway vehicles

Off-highway motorcycles, ATVs, and golf carts have separate rules:

ATVs and dirt bikes — not registered for road use; the SCDMV doesn't issue plates. Use is restricted to private property and approved off-highway areas.
Golf carts — can be operated on public roads with a posted speed of 35 mph or less if registered with an SCDMV "Golf Cart Permit," carry liability insurance, and operated only during daylight by a licensed driver age 16 or older.

Personalized and specialty plates

South Carolina offers hundreds of specialty plates for organizations, military service, alumni groups, and causes. The annual specialty fee adds $30 to $100 on top of the standard registration fee, and personalized text adds another $30 to $100. Order through the SCDMV portal; production takes 4-8 weeks for new specialty plates.

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