New Plate and Registration – Purchased or Leased Vehicle

You have 45 days to title and register your vehicle from the date of purchase.

You must have the following to purchase a new plate and title for a newly purchased or leased vehicle:

  • Title or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin. If you have purchased a used vehicle, you must have the title of the vehicle and the previous owner of the vehicle must have signed the title over to you. If this title does not have the Bill of Sale and odometer information on the back of the document, you must also submit a Bill of Sale. If you have purchased a new vehicle, you must have the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin.
  • Lien Information. If there is a lien on your vehicle, you must provide the name and address of the lien holder and the date of the lien.
  • Liability Insurance information. You must provide the name of your automobile liability insurance company, not the name of the agent.
  • Completed Form 400, Application for Certificate of Title/Registration. To complete the form, you must have your vehicle odometer mileage reading and any current lien information.
  • Paid Property Tax Receipt. Before you can register your vehicle in South Carolina, you must first pay the property taxes that are required in the county in which you reside.
  • Casual Sales Tax. Sales tax totaling 5% of the vehicle purchase price ($300.00 maximum) must be paid when you register a newly purchased vehicle in South Carolina. Truck fees may vary according to the gross vehicle weight of the truck.
  • Title and Registration Fees. The regular license plate is fee $24.00. The title fee is $15.00.
Transferring a Plate and Registration – Purchased or Leased Vehicle

You have 45 days to title and register your vehicle from the date of purchase.

You must have the following to transfer your vehicle registration to your newly purchased or leased vehicle:

  • Title or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin. If you have purchased a used vehicle, you must have the title of the vehicle and the previous owner of the vehicle must have signed the title over to you. If this title does not have the Bill of Sale and odometer information on the back of the document, you must also submit a Bill of Sale. If you have purchased a new vehicle, you must have the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin.
  • Lien Information. If there is a lien on your vehicle, you must provide the name and address of the lien holder and the date of the lien.
  • Liability Insurance information. You must provide the name of your automobile liability insurance company, not the name of the agent.
  • Completed Form 400, Application for Certificate of Title/Registration To complete the form, you must have your vehicle odometer mileage reading and any current lien information.
  • Paid Property Tax Receipt. Before you can register your vehicle in South Carolina, you must first pay the property taxes that are required in the county in which you reside.
  • Casual Sales Tax. Sales tax totaling 5% of the vehicle purchase price ($300.00 maximum) must be paid when you register a newly purchased vehicle in South Carolina. Truck fees may vary according to the gross vehicle weight of the truck.
  • Title and Registration Fees.There is a $10.00 fee to transfer a plate from one vehicle to another. The title fee is $15.00.