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South Carolina Guide

Titling a Car in South Carolina After Moving From Another State

Last verified: October 2026 against SCDMV sources

When you move to South Carolina, you transfer your vehicle’s title and registration after paying the county property tax.

Most passenger cars pay $305 at the SCDMV: the $250 IMF, the $15 title fee, and the $40 registration.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Update your insurance

    Give your insurance company your new SC address. The company must be licensed to do business in South Carolina.

  2. 2

    Pay the county property tax

    Contact your county auditor’s office with the vehicle’s VIN and your most recent registration card. Pay the property tax bill to the county treasurer and keep the original paid receipt.

  3. 3

    Gather your documents

    Bring the Title Application (SCDMV Form 400), your out-of-state title or registration, acceptable ID, your insurance company information, and the paid property tax receipt. If there is a lien, bring the lienholder’s name and address.

  4. 4

    Pay the IMF and fees

    A vehicle first titled in another state pays a $250 IMF once. With the $15 title and $40 registration, most passenger cars pay $305. Active duty military members and their spouses and dependents do not pay the $250 IMF.

  5. 5

    Wait for the title check

    You get your registration right away. Your SC title is mailed after your out-of-state title clears the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System.

What to bring

  • Title Application (SCDMV Form 400)
  • Your out-of-state title and/or registration
  • Acceptable identification
  • Insurance company information
  • Original paid property tax receipt

Estimate your South Carolina costs

The calculator does not apply the $250 new resident IMF. Enter $0 as the price for the title and registration, and add the $250 IMF and county property tax.

Open the full South Carolina calculator

Vehicle & Transaction Details

Enter purchase information to calculate true out-of-pocket costs in South Carolina.

51 Jurisdictions Active
South Carolina 5% tax base
$
7 years old
South Carolina tag options
2-Year Term (South Carolina registers for two years)
EV surcharge rules
Lien fee: $0.00
South Carolina: Deductible
$

South Carolina Statute: South Carolina allows trade-in value on private sales to be deducted from the purchase price before applying the 5% fee.

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Estimated taxes & fees

Estimated taxes & fees

Jurisdiction

South Carolina

Estimated taxes & fees
$555.00

Sales/Excise Tax + Title Certificate + Tags & Registration

Itemized Line ItemEstimated Fee
1Vehicle Sales / Excise Tax (5%)

Statutory maximum tax cap applied ($500.00)

$500.00
2Certificate of Title Fee

Standard state title certificate issuance

$15.00
3Lien / Security Filing Fee

Unfinanced / cash purchase (waived $0.00)

$0.00
4Registration & Tag Fee

Base license plates & tags

$40.00

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South Carolina rates last verified: October 2026
Official Notice & Statutory Disclaimers

Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Verify with the SCDMV.

The estimate uses the price you enter. The SCDMV may use a used-vehicle guide value instead, so the fee can differ.

County vehicle property tax, due before registration, is not included.

A vehicle first titled in another state pays a $250 IMF instead when registered here, which the estimate does not apply.

Registration is $36 instead of $40 at age 65 or with a disability.

South Carolina’s sources do not say whether its electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid fees apply to motorcycles, so the estimate leaves them out for a motorcycle. Confirm with the SCDMV.

County & Local Tax Note: South Carolina charges a one-time 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF), up to $500, instead of sales tax. Before you can register, you pay the county property tax on the vehicle, which is not included here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this SCDMV process.

Most passenger cars pay $305 at the SCDMV ($250 IMF, $15 title, $40 registration), plus county property tax.

Sources

Last verified: October 2026. Rules change, so check with SCDMV before you go.

More South Carolina guides

How to Title a Private Car Sale in South CarolinaThe title, Form 400, property tax, 45 days, and the IMF.How to Gift a Car in South CarolinaThe family and heir exclusion, the title, and the fees.
South Carolina Private Party Car Tax Calculator