A South Carolina motor vehicle bill of sale is a form used to document the transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle in South Carolina.
It lists information about the vehicle, the conditions surrounding its purchase, and contact information for both the buyer and the seller. The bill of sale is used to ensure the legitimacy of the vehicle sale and aid in the transfer of title.
Vehicle Registration
When selling or buying a vehicle in South Carolina, you must register your vehicle with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles in person or by mail.
Anyone who purchases a vehicle in South Carolina has 45 days from the purchase date to register it with the state, and the registration is valid for two years.
License plates in South Carolina cannot be transferred from one owner to another, but you can transfer an old plate registered to your new vehicle. When registering the vehicle, you need to take your current license plate number.
Where to Register Your Vehicle
All initial vehicle registrations and titling must be done in person at a South Carolina DMV office or sent via certified mail along with the accompanying documentation to the main DMV branch office at:
You can do that online when it’s time to renew your vehicle registration.
Documents Required by the DMV Office
Vehicles purchased from a dealership will typically be registered and titled by the dealership, but if you purchase a car from an individual who holds the title, you will need the following paperwork to transfer the vehicle properly:
- Bill of Sale
- Title Application (SCDMV Form 400)
- Certificate of title signed over to the new owner (including odometer reading at the time of sale, purchase date, and sales price)
- Completed Statement of Vehicle Operation in South Carolina (SCDMV Form TI-006), if applicable
- Required only if you do not have an SC Driver’s License or ID.
- Paid property tax receipt in the new owner’s name (if requesting a new license plate)
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Title and registration fee
- Infrastructure Maintenance Fee or Sales Tax, if applicable.
- Additional fees for Hybrid and Alternative Fuel vehicles.
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Proof of insurance with minimum requirements
- $25,000 for bodily injuries per person
- $50,000 for bodily injuries per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
Sellers must notify the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles of any vehicle sale by completing the Notice of Vehicle Sold (Form 416) and submitting it either in person at a DMV branch office or via mail to:
Free South Carolina Vehicle Bill of Sale Sample
See our free South Carolina Vehicle Bill of Sale template below. It’s printable and available in both PDF and Word formats.
