TRANSPORATION / MOTOR VEHICLE INFORMATION
Drivers License
New residents must apply for a South Carolina driver license within 90 days. If your license from your home state has expired, you must also pass the knowledge and road tests in addition to the eye exam. Upon receiving your new license, you must relinquish your out-of-state license. Your South Carolina driver license is valid for five years and must be renewed by your birthday in the fifth year. Drivers who are at least 15 years of age and have held a beginner’s permit for at least 180 days are eligible to apply for a conditional license. Drivers who are at least 16 years of age and have held a beginner’s permit for at least 180 days can apply for a restricted license. Drivers who are at least 17 years old and have held a beginner’s permit for 180 days are eligible to apply for a South Carolina driver license with full privileges.
Vehicle Registration & Title
Newcomers from another state must register and title their vehicles in South Carolina within 45 days. You may apply for the title and registration by mail, completing the Form 400 and mailing it to the address listed on the form. To complete the form, you must have your vehicle odometer mileage reading and any current lien information. The documentation necessary to register and title a vehicle includes your out-of-state vehicle title and registration. If there is a lien on your vehicle, you must bring the name and address of the company that holds the lien. You will need liability insurance information including the name of your automobile liability insurance company. 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 and have a receipt. You must also pay all associated title and registration fees.
For more information on driver licenses or vehicle services in South Carolina or answers to specific questions, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles. SCDMV operates a number of convenient field offices around the metro region:
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV)
803-896-5000
https://scdmvonline.com
SCDMV Field Offices
Ashley Oaks Office
1119-G Wappoo Road
Charleston 843-769-5879
Berkeley County Office
135 Wimberly Drive
Ladson 843-572-7854
Charleston Office
180 Lockwood Boulevard
Charleston 843-727-6477
East Cooper Office
1189 Sweetgrass Basket Parkway
Mt. Pleasant 843-884-9760
Moncks Corner
445 North Highway 52
Moncks Corner 843-761-5385
North Charleston Office
3790 Leeds Avenue
North Charleston 843-740-6168
Online SCDMV Services
South Carolina has expanded the number of services that are available online to include address changes, license renewals and duplicates, identification card renewals, viewing driver license status, obtaining your driver record, and paying reinstatement fees. Simply visit the following website and follow the instructions:
SCDMV Public Services Site
https://scdmvonline.com
Vehicle Property Tax
Personal property taxes are paid directly to the county treasurer in your county of residence. These tax rates vary and are determined locally. First-time registrants must take their title and current registration to the county auditor’s office in order to receive a tax bill. The amount due is paid to the county treasurer who will issue a paid property tax receipt.
County Auditors
Berkeley County
1003 Highway 52
Moncks Corner
843-719-4309
Charleston Area
843-723-3800
St. Stephen Area
843-567-3136
https://berkeleycountysc.gov
Charleston County
101 Meeting Street
Charleston 843-958-4200
https://charlestoncounty.org
Dorchester County
201 Johnston Street
St. George
843-563-0118
843-832-0118
https://www.dorchestercountysc.gov
County Assessors
Charleston County
101 Meeting Street
Charleston 843-958-4100
https://charlestoncounty.org
Dorchester County
201 Johnston Street
St. George
843-563-0162
843-832-0162
https://www.dorchestercountysc.gov
Insurance Requirements
Providing the name of your insurance company is required to register a vehicle. To register as an uninsured motorist, you must pay a $550 Uninsured Motorist Fee. This fee does not purchase insurance coverage. It only allows the driver to operate an uninsured motor vehicle on the South Carolina roads. Owners that pay the $550 Uninsured Motorist Fee are liable for damages if they are at fault in an accident.
Safety Regulations
South Carolina’s seat belt law requires that every driver and every occupant of a motor vehicle must wear a fastened seat belt that complies with all provisions of federal law for its use. The driver is charged with the responsibility of requiring every occupant 17 years of age or younger to wear a seat belt or be secured in a child restraint system as required by law. The seat belt law is secondary for persons 18 and older. This means that a law enforcement officer may not stop a vehicle for a violation of the seat belt law in the absence of another traffic violation. However, the law becomes primary for persons 17 and younger. An officer may stop a vehicle and issue a citation when he observes an occupant 17 or younger who is not wearing a seat belt or secured in a child safety seat. For more information or answers to questions, contact:
Auto Safety Information
888-327-4236
https://nhtsa.dot.gov
South Carolina Highway Patrol
803-896-7920
https://scdps.sc.gov
