A South Carolina Trailer Bill of Sale is a document that legally establishes the ownership in a carrying platform transaction.
The state requires all trailers operated, moved, or driven on South Carolina highways to be licensed and registered.
REQUIREMENTS
Bill of Sale: Required
Registration: Not Required
Title: Not Required
Insurance: Not Required
Signing: Buyer and seller
LAWS
Statutes: § 56-3-110
Registering a Trailer in South Carolina
All South Carolina vehicles, including trailers, are registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the county where the owner resides. You can find your nearest DMV office and estimated wait times online. Some offices may require appointments if an inspection is required for your trailer.
Newly purchased vehicles must be titled and registered within 45 days of the purchase date. New residents to South Carolina must title their vehicles within 45 days after establishing residency. They must obtain a South Carolina driver’s license and proof of insurance before registering their cars (but not trailers).
What Paperwork Is Required To Register a Trailer in South Carolina?
To register your camper, horse trailer, or utility trailer, it must be titled. To title your trailer, you will need to present the following:
- Proof of identification/driver’s license
- South Carolina trailer bill of sale
- Previous title with owner’s signature and price
- Title application form
- Registration fees
The seller must complete a Notice of Vehicle Sold form and mail or drop off the form with the DMV. If the lien has not been paid, the title application must include the section on Notice of Lien Transfer (Section F).
If you do not have a South Carolina driver’s license, you may title and register a vehicle in South Carolina if:
- You are active military
- You are enrolled in school
- Your vehicle will be kept in the state and driven by someone who does not own it.
There may be other situations where you may need to title a vehicle without a driver’s license. Contact the DMV if you have questions.
Trailer Registration Fees
Registration fees are paid at the county DMV office. Fees are based on the gross vehicle weight. There are permanent and annual registrations and an annual rate for campers and utility trailers.
Title for Trailer
The complete list of trailers that must be registered and titled includes the following:
- Camper trailers
- Travel trailers
- Horse trailers
- Boat trailers
- Utility trailer
- Pole trailer
- Farm trailer
- Semitrailer
To title any of these trailers, you will need the bill of sale and original title or an Affidavit of Ownership for a Motor Vehicle, Trailer, or Mobile Home and Vehicle Identification Verification for Title without a Previous Title if the title is not available.
Insurance
South Carolina does not require insurance for trailers as long as they are towed behind an insured vehicle. Drivers are required to have basic liability and collision insurance. It is recommended that all drivers who own trailers have additional insurance for their trailers in case of a serious accident or severe weather incidents.
Exemptions
A trailer under 2500 pounds empty weight does not need to be registered for use on public roads unless it will be taken out of state. Any trailer over 2500 pounds empty weight and any trailer that will travel out of state must be registered.
South Carolina Trailer Bill of Sale Sample
Download a South Carolina trailer bill of sale template below in PDF or Word format:
