How to Register a Car Bought From a Private Seller in South Carolina
Bought a car from a private seller in South Carolina, not a dealer? You're the one who has to handle the paperwork now. Nobody does it for you. This guide walks you through it step by step, in plain language, including the two costs that confuse almost everyone: the Infrastructure Maintenance Fee and county property tax.
To register a car you bought from a private seller in South Carolina, you need the vehicle title signed by the seller, a completed SCDMV Form 400, proof of insurance, and a paid county property tax receipt. You'll pay a 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (up to $500), a $15 title fee, and county vehicle property tax. You have 45 days from the purchase date to get this done.
This guide covers private sales. For dealer purchases, new residents and a full fee breakdown, see our South Carolina Vehicle Registration Guide
The Two Costs That Confuse Everyone: IMF and County Tax
Before we get into the steps, let's clear up the two things that trip up almost every first-time buyer. These aren't the same thing, and you pay them to two different places.
What Is the IMF?
IMF stands for Infrastructure Maintenance Fee. Think of it like South Carolina's version of sales tax on a vehicle. It's a one-time fee you pay when you title the car in your name.
For a private sale, the IMF is 5% of what you paid for the car, up to a maximum of $500. For example, if you buy a car for $8,000, 5% is $400, so your IMF is $400.
But if you buy a car for $20,000, 5% would normally be $1,000. You don't pay the full $1,000, though. The IMF has a $500 maximum, so you pay $500. The same $500 maximum applies even if you pay $30,000, $40,000, or more for the car.
The one difference from a dealer purchase: a dealer can apply a trade-in deduction to reduce the amount the IMF is calculated on. A private sale has no trade-in, so the IMF is always calculated on the full purchase price — the $8,000 you paid is $8,000, with nothing subtracted.
Simple way to remember it:The IMF is based on what you paid for the car. It is separate from your county property tax and your registration fee.
What Is County Property Tax?
County property tax is different from the IMF. Before the SCDMV will register your car, you have to pay a property tax on the vehicle to your county. You don't pay this tax to the state or the SCDMV.
Your county taxes a small percentage of your car's value, then applies the local tax rate for your area. Because that rate differs from county to county, two people with similar cars can end up paying different amounts.
You pay the tax to your county, get a receipt showing that you've paid it, and take that receipt to the SCDMV. The SCDMV needs proof that the county property tax has been paid before it can finish your registration.
The big difference is that the IMF is a one-time fee you pay when you title the vehicle, while county property tax is something you'll generally pay every year as long as you own the car.
What to Check Before You Leave the Seller
1. The Vehicle Title
The seller should have the vehicle title in their name and sign it over to you before you leave.
Before you leave, check a few things:
- The seller's name is on the title.
- The VIN on the title matches the VIN on the car.
- The title is signed and filled out correctly for the sale.
- The sale date is entered where required.
- The purchase price is entered where required.
- The odometer information if required.
- All required signatures are present.
If something is missing or filled out incorrectly, ask the seller to fix it before you leave. It can be much harder to fix a problem later.
2. A Signed Bill of Sale or Buyer's Order? Do you need it ?
This is one area where online explanations can get confusing.
The SCDMV says a bill of sale is needed if the title assignment does not have a place to show the sales price. The SCDMV's title guidance also says a signed Bill of Sale/Buyer's Order is required for title transactions and should show the total sale price, with the buyer's signature.
Because of that, the safest approach is simple: get a signed Bill of Sale or Buyer's Order from the seller and keep it with your other paperwork.
It gives you a written record of the sale, including what you paid for the vehicle.
3. Information About Any Lien
A lien usually means a bank or finance company has a legal claim on the vehicle because the seller still owes money on a loan.
If the seller still has a loan on the car, don't assume you can simply take the title and register the vehicle. Make sure the lien has been properly handled before you complete the purchase.
If you're not sure whether there is a lien on the vehicle or what needs to be done, contact SCDMV before trying to register the car.
What You Do After Buying the Car
Once the seller has properly signed over the title and given you the paperwork, the rest is mainly your responsibility.You normally don't need the seller to come with you to the SCDMV. Here is the process.
Step 1: Fill Out SCDMV Form 400
Form 400 is the main application for title and registration.
When you buy a car from a private seller, you need to put the title in your name and register the car. SCDMV must issue the title before it can issue the registration, so Form 400 is the application you use to handle both the registration and the title.
Fill it out with your information, the vehicle information, and the details of your purchase. Bring the completed form with you when you submit your paperwork to the SCDMV.
If you don't have a South Carolina driver's license or ID but want a South Carolina title, you may also need Form TI-006C.
Step 2: Pay Your County Property Tax
Contact your county's tax office(sometimes called the auditor's office) to have your vehicle tax bill prepared. Once you pay the bill, make sure you get a paid property-tax receipt in your name to show at the SCDMV.
Step 3: Get South Carolina Car Insurance
You need liability insurance before you can register the car. Liability insurance helps pay for injuries or damage you cause to other people or their property in an accident. It does not pay to repair your own car.
South Carolina requires you to have a certain amount of liability coverage. Make sure your insurance policy is active before you go to register the car.
When you register the vehicle, you'll give the SCDMV the name of your insurance company. The SCDMV can check your insurance electronically through the state's Automobile Liability Insurance Reporting (ALIR) system. Meaning you normally don't need to bring a paper insurance card just for them to verify your coverage.
That's normal if this is your first car. You don't need to have an existing car insurance policy before buying the vehicle. After you buy the car, contact an insurance company and get a South Carolina liability insurance policy for the vehicle. Make sure the policy is active before you go to the SCDMV to register it.
Step 4: Take Everything to the SCDMV
Once you have your paperwork, paid property tax receipt, and insurance, you can take the documents to an SCDMV branch.
- The properly signed vehicle title
- Completed Form 400
- Bill of Sale or Buyer's Order
- Form TI-006C, only if you don't have an SC license or ID
- Your paid county tax receipt
- Payment for the title fee and IMF
Submit everything and pay your fees. The SCDMV can't register the car until it's titled first, so this all happens as one visit.
How Much Does It Cost to Register a Car Bought From a Private Seller?
There is no single total that applies to everyone, because your county property tax depends on the vehicle and your county, and some vehicles have different registration fees. For a typical vehicle, expect these costs:
| Cost | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $15 |
| IMF | 5% of purchase price, up to $500 |
| Registration fee | $40 for most vehicles |
| County vehicle property tax | Varies by vehicle and county |
For Example:
Suppose you buy a regular car from a private seller for $10,000. The IMF would be $500 because 5% of $10,000 is $500. You would also have the $15 title fee, the applicable registration fee(mostly $40), and your county vehicle property tax.
Your county property tax is the one number here that isn't fixed — it depends entirely on where you live. Use your county's online tax estimator or ask your county treasurer for a real figure before you budget. For the full fee breakdown, including how the $500 IMF cap and the separate $250 new-resident IMF work, see our South Carolina Vehicle Registration Guide.
Do I Need the Seller to Go With Me to SCDMV?
Usually, no.The seller's main job is to properly complete and sign the title and give you the required sale documents.Once you have those documents, you can take them to SCDMV yourself to complete the title and registration process.
If the title has a problem, a lien has not been properly handled, or your situation does not follow the normal process, contact SCDMV before assuming the seller needs to come with you.
How Is Buying From a Private Seller Different From Buying From a Dealer?
If you've bought a car from a dealer before, a few things work differently here.The biggest difference is who handles the paperwork. When you buy from a dealer, the dealer will generally handle the title and registration work for you. When you buy from a private seller, you normally handle the title and registration yourself.
| Private Seller | Dealer |
|---|---|
| You handle the title and registration process. | The dealer will generally handle the process. |
| You need the properly signed title from the seller. | The dealer handles the vehicle paperwork. |
| You arrange your own insurance. | The dealer generally handles the transaction paperwork, but you still need insurance. |
| You deal with your county property tax before registration. | The dealer generally handles the registration process. |
Can You Transfer an Existing License Plate?
If you already have a South Carolina license plate and want to use it on the vehicle you just bought, you can indicate that on Form 400.However, a plate cannot simply be transferred from one person to another when the original plate owner is not on the new vehicle's title.
If you are unsure whether your existing plate can be transferred, check with the SCDMV before assuming you can use it.
What If You Need a Temporary Plate?
If you need a temporary plate while dealing with the registration, the SCDMV has a separate process for temporary plates.
You can apply for a traceable temporary license plate(tags) at an SCDMV branch by bringing the title, bill of sale, or lease contract from the seller along with a completed and signed Form 45-A.For the full rules, requirements, and what to do when your temporary tag expires, see our guide on South Carolina temporary tags.
You Have 45 Days to Register the Vehicle
You have 45 days from the date you bought the car to get it titled and registered in South Carolina. That 45-day period starts on the day you buy the vehicle.
If you have a temporary plate, don't confuse it with the registration deadline. A temporary plate lets you drive the car while you finish the registration process, but it does not give you another 45 days. Your original 45-day deadline keeps running from the day you bought the car.
If you've already gone past the 45 days, don't assume you can just follow the normal process. There may be additional fees or requirements. See our guide on what happens if you miss the South Carolina registration deadline.
The 45 days starts on the date you bought the vehicle. Getting a temporary plate does not restart or extend that deadline.
Red Flags When Buying a Car From a Private Seller
A private-party sale can be simple, but only if the paperwork is clean. Be careful and slow down before handing over money
- The title shows a lien that the seller says is "already paid off" but hasn't actually been released on paper
- The name on the title doesn't match the seller's ID
- The title is from another state, and the seller can't explain why
- The seller wants you to pay before you can properly check the title.And the seller tells you they will "send the title later."
None of these mean the sale is automatically a scam, but they're worth stopping and asking questions about before you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
You have 45 days from the purchase date to register the vehicle. If you wait longer, a late-registration penalty applies.
You generally need the properly signed title, completed SCDMV Form 400, a paid county property tax receipt, insurance information, and the required fees. A signed Bill of Sale or Buyer's Order should also be kept with your paperwork. Additional documents may be required depending on your situation.
The SCDMV requires a bill of sale in certain title situations, and its title guidance also calls for a signed Bill of Sale or Buyer's Order for title transactions. The safest approach is to get a signed bill of sale or buyer's order from the seller and keep it with your records.
Yes. The vehicle must have liability insurance when it is registered. The SCDMV verifies insurance electronically, so make sure your policy is active before you register the vehicle.
You can buy the vehicle first and then contact an insurance company to get the required South Carolina liability coverage. Make sure the insurance is active before you register the vehicle.
Yes. You must pay the vehicle property tax to your county and provide the paid property tax receipt to the SCDMV before the registration can be issued.
For most vehicles, the Infrastructure Maintenance Fee is 5% of the purchase price, up to $500.
The standard South Carolina title fee is $15.
The standard registration fee for most vehicles is $40. Some vehicles and plate types have different fees.
Normally, you handle the registration after the seller has properly signed over the title and given you the required paperwork. The seller should make sure the title is completed correctly before you leave with the vehicle.
Generally, no. The SCDMV says a registration cannot be issued until the vehicle has been titled. If the seller does not have the title, do not assume you can simply register the vehicle without it.
The SCDMV has a temporary-plate process. To get a traceable temporary plate, you must bring the title, bill of sale, or lease contract from the seller, along with a completed and signed Form 45-A, to an SCDMV branch.
- South Carolina Vehicle Registration: Complete Guide Main Guide
- South Carolina Temporary Tags Guide Temporary Tags
- What Happens If You Don't Register Your Car in South Carolina? Late Registration
For the current forms, fees, and requirements, go straight to the source.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace official SCDMV instructions. Always confirm current requirements and fees at dmv.sc.gov before your visit.