How to Gift a Car in South Carolina in 2026

In South Carolina, gifting a motor vehicle is a transfer of ownership without monetary compensation. The process follows the same title application requirements used for other ownership transfers, with the donor signing over the title and the recipient applying for a new title in their name using SCDMV Form 400. The recipient must register the vehicle with liability insurance and comply with the 45-day registration deadline at the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV).

How Does Gifting a Car in South Carolina Work?

A vehicle gift in South Carolina follows the same administrative process as a sale or other transfer of ownership. The current owner must sign the title assignment to transfer legal ownership to the recipient. Once the recipient obtains the signed title, they submit a completed Title Application (Form 400) to an SCDMV branch office or by mail. The Department verifies ownership, assesses applicable fees and taxes, and issues a new certificate of title in the recipient's name upon payment and completion of required documentation.

South Carolina Car Gifting Rules You Should Know

Title Status

A motor vehicle gift requires the same title documentation as any other ownership transfer. The recipient cannot register the vehicle without a current certificate of title unless the vehicle is exempt from titling requirements under South Carolina law. Most vehicles operated on public roads must be titled. If the donor possesses the current title, the recipient's application process begins immediately after obtaining the signed title. If the donor does not have a title—such as when a vehicle originates from a non-title state—the recipient may apply for a title by submitting Affidavit of Ownership for a Motor Vehicle, Trailer, or Mobile Home (Form TI-021A) along with photographs of the vehicle from all four sides, inspection verification, and supporting ownership documentation to establish when and how the vehicle was acquired.

License Plates

When a vehicle changes ownership through a gift, the original owner must remove the existing license plate. If the plate is valid (not expired) and the recipient intends to transfer it to the gifted vehicle, the transfer can proceed. An active plate may be transferred to a replacement vehicle of the same type and classification. The recipient must maintain the bill of sale, a copy of the original registration, and the transferred plate to verify the purchase date to law enforcement. Any plate transfer or new plate issuance occurs through the registration process. If the original owner does not transfer the existing plate to another vehicle, the plate should be surrendered to an SCDMV branch office.

Taxes and Fees

A bona fide gift between family members or to a legal heir receives preferential tax treatment. Under Section 12-36-1710, transfers characterized as gifts with no consideration are exempt from casual excise tax. The Department of Revenue recognizes transfers to immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild) and transfers to legal heirs, legatees, or distributees as qualifying transfers not subject to casual excise tax.

However, the recipient remains responsible for paying the title application fee of $15, applicable registration fees, the Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) if applicable, and any ad valorem property tax due to the county. The IMF is calculated as 5% of the purchase price up to a maximum of $500 when the vehicle is purchased from an individual and titled in South Carolina. For a gift, the IMF calculation depends on how the transfer is documented; if the gift is documented as a transfer with no consideration, the IMF applies based on fair market value as determined by the county auditor using the Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Values Guide.

Late registration penalties apply if registration is not completed within 45 days of the acquisition date. Penalties range from $10 for 46 to 60 days late to $75 for over 135 days late.

Step-By-Step Process To Gift a Car in South Carolina

Step 1: Complete the title assignment.

The owner signs the back of the current certificate of title, entering the recipient's name, the odometer reading at the time of transfer, the date of transfer, and any purchase price (or indicating the transfer was a gift). The owner's signature must match the name printed on the title. If the title lists two owners joined by "or," either owner may sign alone. If joined by "and," both owners must sign. If the title shows a lien, the lienholder's signature and release may be required.

Step 2: Gather supporting documents.

The recipient collects the signed title, bill of sale or written statement indicating the vehicle was a gift, the odometer disclosure statement (if applicable to vehicles under a certain weight), proof of liability insurance, and any other supporting ownership documentation such as registration records from the vehicle's previous state of title.

Step 3: Complete the Title Application (Form 400).

The recipient completes SCDMV Form 400, selecting "gift" in the transaction type section if available, entering all vehicle identification information, the new owner's complete legal name matching identification documents, odometer reading, and indicating whether immediate family members or a legal relationship qualifies for tax exemption. The recipient enters the insurance company name, as insurance must be in force before registration.

Step 4: Submit application and documents to an SCDMV office or by mail.

The recipient delivers the completed Form 400, signed title, bill of sale, or gift documentation, proof of insurance, and any required supporting documents to an SCDMV branch office or mails them to the address provided on the form. The application can be submitted in person at any SCDMV location or mailed to the Titles and Registration unit. Payment must accompany mail submissions (check or money order only; in-person payment accepts cash, check, or card).

Step 5: Pay applicable fees.

The recipient pays the $15 title fee, applicable registration fees (e.g., $40 for most passenger vehicles), the IMF (if applicable, based on fair market value), and any ad valorem taxes assessed by the county auditor.

Step 6: Receive the title and registration certificate.

Upon processing, the SCDMV mails a new certificate of title to the recipient's residence address on file. A registration certificate and license plate are issued upon completion of all fee and tax payments.

Step 7: Operate the vehicle within the 45-day deadline.

The recipient must register the vehicle and place it in service within 45 days from the date of acquisition. Proof of liability insurance must be active on the registration date.

Documents Needed for Gifting a Car in South Carolina

• Current certificate of title signed by the owner(s) with odometer reading and transfer date
• Bill of sale or written statement identifying the transfer as a gift (if the title does not indicate the transfer price)
• Title Application (SCDMV Form 400) completed and signed by all new owners
• Odometer Disclosure Statement if required (federal and state law require odometer disclosure on transfers)
• Proof of liability insurance in the recipient's name with a company licensed in South Carolina
• Identification documents (driver's license or identification card) for the recipient
• Vehicle registration records from the previous state (if the vehicle was titled outside South Carolina)
• Form TI-021A (Affidavit of Ownership) if no current title exists (along with photographs and inspection verification)
• Documentation supporting the qualifying relationship (if claiming immediate family exemption)

Applicable Fees and Taxes When Gifting a Car in South Carolina

The casual excise tax does not apply to gifts transferred "by love and affection" to immediate family members or legal heirs. However, the title fee, registration fee, IMF, and ad valorem property taxes are separate obligations, independent of the exemption, and apply to all vehicle transfers, regardless of whether the transfer qualifies as a tax-exempt gift.

Contact Information

South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
10311 Wilson Boulevard, Blythewood, SC 29016
Phone: (803) 896-5000
Official Website: South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles