How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in South Carolina in 2025
South Carolina operates a complex vehicle registration system combining state fees, weight-based charges, infrastructure maintenance fees, and mandatory county property taxes.
Base Registration Fees
South Carolina determines registration fees primarily through biennial (two-year) periods, with costs varying by vehicle type and weight. SCDMV's official fee schedule provides the foundation for all registration calculations.
Standard Passenger Vehicle Registration
| Vehicle Category | Biennial Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Most passenger cars | $40 | Standard registration |
| People aged 64 | $38 | Age-based discount |
| People aged 65+ or disabled | $36 | Senior/disability discount |
| RVs (Recreational Vehicles) | $40 | Same as passenger cars |
Specialty Vehicle Registration
| Vehicle Type | Biennial Fee |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles and Mopeds | $10 |
| Utility or Camper Trailers | $10 |
| Trailers (empty weight over 2,500 lbs) | $20 |
| Permanent Trailer Plate | $87 |
| Hybrid Vehicles | $60 + base registration fee |
| Electric Vehicles | $120 + base registration fee |
Weight-Based Commercial Vehicle Fees
South Carolina implements a detailed weight-based fee structure for commercial vehicles and trucks, as outlined in the Schedule of License Fees.
| Gross Vehicle Weight | Biennial Fee |
|---|---|
| 1-4,000 lbs | $30 |
| 4,001-5,000 lbs | $40 |
| 5,001-6,000 lbs | $60 |
| 6,001-7,000 lbs | $70 |
| 7,001-8,000 lbs | $80 |
| 8,001-9,000 lbs | $90 |
| 9,001-10,000 lbs | $100 |
| 10,001-11,000 lbs | $110 |
| 20,001-21,000 lbs | $273 |
| 30,001-31,000 lbs | $468 |
| 50,001-51,000 lbs | $770 |
| 75,001-76,000 lbs | $1,410 |
| 79,001-80,000 lbs | $1,600 |
Local/County Fees
South Carolina requires all vehicle owners to pay annual property taxes to their county of residence before registering or renewing vehicle registration. These taxes vary significantly by county and represent a substantial portion of total vehicle ownership costs.
Vehicle Property Tax Structure
Counties assess property taxes on vehicles using two different assessment ratios:
- Personal automobiles and light trucks (GVW ≤11,000 lbs, net weight ≤9,000 lbs): 6% assessment ratio
- All other motor vehicles: 10.5% assessment ratio
Vehicle property taxes are calculated using this formula: Fair Market Value × Assessment Ratio × Millage Rate ÷ 1,000 = Annual Tax
Sample County Millage Rates (2024)
Property tax rates vary dramatically across South Carolina's 46 counties. Based on available county data:
Higher Tax Counties:
- Charleston County: Approximately 57 mills
- Greenville County: Approximately 56 mills
- Richland County: Approximately 55 mills
- Horry County: Approximately 53 mills
Moderate Tax Counties:
- Lexington County: Approximately 47 mills
- York County: Approximately 45 mills
- Anderson County: Approximately 42 mills
Lower Tax Counties:
- Oconee County: Approximately 38 mills
- Pickens County: Approximately 36 mills
Property Tax Examples
For a $25,000 vehicle (personal automobile):
- Charleston County: $25,000 × 0.06 × 57 ÷ 1,000 = $85.50 annually
- Greenville County: $25,000 × 0.06 × 56 ÷ 1,000 = $84.00 annually
- Oconee County: $25,000 × 0.06 × 38 ÷ 1,000 = $57.00 annually
Vehicle property taxes must be paid annually by the last day of the month when your registration decal expires.
Mandatory Processing Fees
Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF)
South Carolina's unique Infrastructure Maintenance Fee applies to most vehicle transactions:
- New vehicle purchases: 5% of purchase price (maximum $500)
- Out-of-state vehicles brought to SC: $250 flat fee
- Used vehicle purchases from dealers: 5% of purchase price (maximum $500)
Title and Administrative Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Title (standard processing) | $15 |
| Expedited Title (in-person only) | $35 |
| Returned Check Fee | $30 |
| Credit/Debit Card Processing | $1 + 1.7% of transaction |
Late Registration Penalties
South Carolina imposes escalating penalties for late registration:
Initial Registration:
- 46-60 days late: $10
- 61-75 days late: $25
- 76-135 days late: $50
- Over 135 days late: $75
Registration Renewal:
- 1-14 days late: $10
- 15-30 days late: $25
- 31-90 days late: $50
- Over 90 days late: $75
Special Requirements by Region
South Carolina maintains uniform registration requirements statewide without regional variations for emissions testing or safety inspections.
No Emissions or Safety Inspections Required
South Carolina eliminated mandatory vehicle inspections in 1995. The state does not require:
- Annual safety inspections
- Emissions testing
- Periodic vehicle inspections of any kind
This represents significant cost savings compared to states with mandatory inspection programs.
Weight Restrictions and Commercial Requirements
Commercial vehicles over 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight and buses holding 16+ passengers for hire must show a Social Security Number or Federal Employer Identification Number but do not require property tax receipts for registration.
Title Fees
South Carolina maintains consistent title fees statewide regardless of vehicle type or county location.
| Title Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| New Title | $15 |
| Title Transfer | $15 |
| Duplicate Title | $15 |
| Expedited Title Processing | $35 |
| Lien Recording | Included in title fee |
| Lien Release | No additional fee |
Specialty License Plates
South Carolina offers extensive specialty plate options with additional fees beyond standard registration costs.
Personalized Plates
| Plate Type | Additional Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard Personalized Plate | $30 (biennial) |
| Specialty Design + Personalization | $30 + specialty plate fee |
Specialty Organization Plates
Most specialty organization plates in South Carolina follow a standard fee structure:
- Initial Fee: $70 (biennial)
- Renewal Fee: $70 (biennial)
- Portion to Organization: Typically $40 of each fee
Popular specialty plates include:
- University and college plates
- Sports team plates (various professional teams)
- Military and veteran plates
- Charitable organization plates
- Environmental and conservation plates
Military and Veteran Plates
South Carolina offers various military-themed plates with different fee structures:
- Some veteran plates may have reduced fees
- Active military personnel may receive fee discounts
- Disabled veteran plates may have special pricing
Specific eligibility requirements and documentation vary by plate type.
For current registration information and online services, visit the South Carolina DMV website or contact your local county treasurer's office for property tax information.
