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A Motor Vehicle Registration — or more simply, a car registration — connects a car to its owner for identification purposes, and is proof that the car owner has paid the required taxes and obtained the minimum auto insurance coverage required in their state. Each state requires you, by law, to register your car with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or transportation agency.
The vehicle registration process involves providing some personal information and details on your car and paying a registration fee. If you fail to register your car or renew your registration, you could face penalty fees, a ticket and possibly impoundment.
The most common scenarios wherein you’d need to register a car are:
The South Carolina Transportation Department’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) oversees vehicle registration in the state. Find out more about car registration on the South Carolina DMV page here.
In South Carolina, you must register any cars or motor vehicles you own or operate with the South Carolina Transportation Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
The first time you register your car in South Carolina, you’ll receive a license plate for your vehicle and a registration card. Additionally, you will receive a registration sticker that needs to be attached to your vehicle’s license plate.
When you renew your registration, you’ll receive a new registration card. In South Carolina, drivers are required to keep the registration card with them when operating a vehicle. If you drive a commercial vehicle, you can carry the digital version of the card.
To register a car in South Carolina, you must:
Find out more about the requirements to register a vehicle and the personal information requirements here.
The main difference between a car title (or pink slip) and a car registration is that while the first proves your legal ownership of a vehicle, the second allows your vehicle to be driven on public roads. Both documents are mandatory in all 50 U.S. states.
Unlike the car title, which does not need to be renewed, the car registration has to be renewed every one or two years, depending on the state. In South Carolina, registrations have to be renewed every year.
The car title only needs to be changed when the vehicle is sold and the owner changes, or if you have finished paying the car loan and the vehicle is now officially yours. In these cases, you must complete a transfer of ownership by transferring the title.
Learn more about your car title in South Carolina here.
If you purchase a new or used vehicle at a car dealership in South Carolina, the dealership will handle the vehicle registration on your behalf but will charge the applicable registration fees.
If you purchased a used car from a private seller or are a new resident of the state, you will need to obtain a car registration yourself.
To register your car in South Carolina, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents and information you need here.
To register your car in person. Click here to find your nearest South Carolina DMV Office location.
Note: Due to COVID restrictions, it is highly encouraged to make an appointment before going to apply at a DMV office.
To register your car by mail, send the necessary payment and all your supporting documents to the following address:
SCDMV
Titles and Registration
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0024
Note: If you do not have a title, you will not be able to register your vehicle. To apply for a title in South Carolina, fill out the title application form here and mail it to the address on the form or drop it off at your local DMV office here.
The cost to register a vehicle in South Carolina will depend on the age, type and weight of the vehicle, as well as your county of residence. You can pay the DMV fees in cash, with a check or with a credit card if you apply in person. If you apply by mail, you will need to send a check or money order addressed to the South Carolina DMV.
If you have questions about the car registration process or require assistance, contact the South Carolina Transportation Department by phone at (803) 896-5000.
To renew your car registration in South Carolina, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the documents needed to renew your registration here.
To renew your registration online, click here to access the Vehicle Registration Renewal Portal.
To renew your registration in person, click here to find your nearest DMV Office.
In addition to standard fees, you will need to pay an online service charge if you choose to renew your registration online.
If you have further questions about the vehicle registration renewal process or require assistance, contact the South Carolina Transportation Department by phone at 803-896-5000.
If you applied for a new vehicle registration or requested a vehicle registration renewal for your car, check the status of your application or request with the South Carolina DMV by calling (803) 896-5000.
You can also visit or call a local DMV Office for further assistance. Find your nearest local DMV office location and contact information in South Carolina here.
Any missing or stolen vehicle title or registration must be replaced and reported to the local authorities immediately. This includes license plates. You can replace lost or stolen title and registration documents in person or by mail.
To replace your registration online, click here.
To replace your title online, click here.
To replace documentation in person, click here to find your nearest DMV Office.
To replace documentation by mail, print and complete the South Carolina Title Application here and send it to the following address:
SCDMV
Titles
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0044
After requesting your replacement title or registration, you can check the status of your request on by calling your local DMV office here or by calling (803) 896-5000.
If you move to a new address within the state, you will need to update the address on your vehicle registration within 10 days of relocation.
To change your address with the DMV online, click here.
To change your address in person, click here and find the DMV office closest to you.
Complete the South Carolina Change of Address Request form here and by mail to:
SCDMV
Alternative MediaPO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0035
Note: You are not required to obtain a replacement registration if you change your address with the DMV. However, if you wish to update the address on your registration before your renewal date, you can pay the $40 replacement fee.
If you need to update your name on your registration, you must change your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) first. Learn more about how to change your name with the SSA here.
After changing your name with the SSA, you must visit a local DMV Office in person to update your registration. Find your nearest office location and contact information here. You will need documents that confirm the legal name change, such as a marriage or divorce certificate or court order.
You may also apply for a name change by mail by filling out the application for name or address change here and mailing it to:
SCDMV
Alternative Media
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0035
Learn more about changing your name with the South Carolina DMV here.
If you have recently moved to South Carolina, you will need to register and title your car with the South Carolina DMV within 90 days of moving to the state. Follow the same car registration steps outlined above to complete the process.
If you have not yet obtained a South Carolina-issued driver’s license or ID card, you will need to provide your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number with your legal name and address to submit your car registration application.
Learn more about what to expect as a new South Carolina resident here.
If you move out of South Carolina, you will need to register your vehicle in your new state. Your new state may have different requirements for vehicle services. Click here to access your new state’s official DMV website for more information.
The total cost to register or renew your vehicle depends on:
Other registration and title fees include:
Any person driving a vehicle without a valid car registration in South Carolina can be detained up to 72 hours and will need to pay the applicable fees to be released. As of 2020, late registration or late registration renewal fees increase from $10 to $75 depending on how long the registration has expired.
To learn more about South Carolina fees and penalties in 2020, click here.
For help with the car registration process, or for any further questions about your car registration, call the South Carolina Transportation Department by phone at (803) 896-5000.
Or, visit or call a local DMV Office for further assistance. Find your nearest office location and contact information here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the car registration process and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get familiar with the process by providing useful information.
Our free Car Registration Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
