TRANSPORTATION / MOTOR VEHICLE INFORMATION

Drivers License
New residents must apply for a South Carolina drivers 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 drivers 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’s license with full privileges. For questions about licensing, contact:

South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
803-896-5000
www.scdmvonline.com

DMV Office Locations
http://scdmvonline.com/Locations

Download Drivers Manual
http://scdmvonline.com/Forms-And-Manuals

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. The following documentation is necessary to register and title a vehicle:

*           The 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.
*           Liability insurance information including the name of your automobile liability insurance company.
*           The completed Form 400 with the vehicle odometer mileage reading and current lien information.
*           Receipt for paid property tax on the vehicle. 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.
*           Pay all associated title and registration fees.

South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
803-896-5000
www.scdmvonline.com

DMV Office Locations
http://scdmvonline.com/Locations

Online DMV 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:

DMV Public Services Site
www.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.

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:

South Carolina Highway Patrol
803-896-7920
www.schp.org