What happens if you don't register your car in South Carolina?
Missed the deadline to register your car in South Carolina? You may have to pay a late registration fee, and driving a vehicle without the required registration can also lead to a misdemeanor charge. Here's what can happen, what you may have to pay, and what to do if you're already past the deadline.
If you recently bought a vehicle or moved to South Carolina, you generally have 45 days to register it. If you miss that deadline, SCDMV charges a late registration fee based on how long your registration is overdue: $10 for 46–60 days, $25 for 61–75 days, $50 for 76–135 days, and $75 if you're more than 135 days late. South Carolina law also makes it a misdemeanor to drive, move, or operate a vehicle on a highway when the required registration and license have not been obtained.
How Long Do You Have to Register a Vehicle in South Carolina?
If you bought a vehicle in South Carolina, you generally have 45 days from the date of purchase to register it. Also, if you move to South Carolina with a vehicle that was registered in another state, you have the same 45 days to transfer the vehicle registration to South Carolina.
If you are already past the 45-day deadline, don't panic. You can still complete the registration process, but you may have to pay a late registration fee when you complete the registration.
What Happens If You Miss the 45-Day Deadline?
If you don't register your vehicle within the 45-day deadline, the registration is considered late, and you'll have to pay a late registration fee when you register it. The amount depends on how long you've gone past the deadline.
South Carolina Late Registration Fees
| How Late You Are | Late Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| 46 to 60 days | $10 |
| 61 to 75 days | $25 |
| 76 to 135 days | $50 |
| More than 135 days | $75 |
These are the current late-registration penalties listed by SCDMV. The late fee is added to the other costs that apply to your vehicle, such as the title fee, registration fee, and applicable Infrastructure Maintenance Fee(IMF) or sales tax.
Is Driving an Unregistered Vehicle a Misdemeanor?
Yes. South Carolina law makes it a misdemeanor to drive, operate, or move a vehicle on a highway when the vehicle is required to be registered and licensed but hasn't been registered and licensed.
A misdemeanor is a criminal offense, not just a registration fee or traffic ticket. However, the registration law does not specify a particular fine or jail term for this offense. This means you should not assume that driving an unregistered vehicle automatically comes with a specific fine or number of days in jail.
The consequences can vary depending on the charge and the laws that apply to your case. If you have been charged, the court handling your case or an attorney can explain what penalties you may face.
Missing the 45-day deadline and driving an unregistered vehicle are two different issues. Missing the deadline can result in a late fee. Driving the unregistered vehicle creates the separate misdemeanor issue.
The same law also applies to an owner who knowingly allows an unregistered and unlicensed vehicle to be driven on a highway.
Is There a Grace Period?
SCDMV does not provide an additional grace period after the 45-day deadline for a newly purchased vehicle or a vehicle brought into South Carolina from another state.
Once you go past the 45 days, the registration is late, and the applicable late registration fee can apply. If you're a few days past the deadline, don't assume you have another week or two to get it done. Get the registration taken care of as soon as you can.
What If Your 45-Day Temporary Plate Has Expired?
A 45-day temporary plate(often called a temporary tag) is valid for 45 days from the date you purchased the vehicle. If the plate expires before you receive your permanent plate and registration, you should not continue driving with the expired temporary plate.
South Carolina law requires a temporary license plate to be replaced with a permanent plate and registration card as soon as you receive them, or by the temporary plate's expiration date, whichever comes first.
If you keep driving the vehicle in violation of this temporary-plate requirement, you are guilty of a misdemeanor and may be fined up to $100 upon conviction.
If your temporary plate has already expired, don't continue driving the vehicle. If you're having a problem getting the permanent plate or registration, contact SCDMV for help.
For more information about how 45-day temporary plates work, including how to get or replace one, see our South Carolina Temporary Tags Guide.
Can You Drive the Vehicle While Your Registration Is Late?
If your 45-day registration deadline has passed and you still haven't registered the vehicle, you should avoid driving it while it's unregistered.
Being late does not give you an extra period during which you can legally drive without registration.The late fee allows you to complete the registration after the deadline; it does not make an unregistered vehicle legal to drive
If you're already past the deadline, the best move is to complete the registration as soon as possible. If you can't legally drive the vehicle to an SCDMV branch or have a problem that prevents you from completing the registration, contact SCDMV to find out how to handle your situation.
What to Do If Your Registration Is Already Late
If you're already past the deadline, stop driving the vehicle if you can, and get it registered as soon as possible. Here's the order that works in South Carolina:
If you can't legally drive the vehicle to an SCDMV branch, or something is preventing you from completing the registration, contact SCDMV to find out how to handle your situation..
- Pay your county vehicle property tax first. You generally need proof that the vehicle property tax has been paid before completing the registration.
- Gather your documents, including the title, ID, paid property tax receipt, and any insurance information or other documents required for your situation.
- Complete the registration with the SCDMV using the registration process that applies to your vehicle. If you're unsure which process to use, check with SCDMV before submitting your paperwork.
- Pay the applicable late registration fee along with your normal registration costs.
For the full step-by-step process, including what documents you need for your specific situation, see our South Carolina Vehicle Registration Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Once you go past the 45-day registration deadline, a late registration fee can apply. The current SCDMV schedule starts at $10 for 46 to 60 days late.
Yes. Missing the deadline does not prevent you from registering the vehicle. You still need to complete the registration process and pay the applicable late fee along with your normal registration costs.
Yes. If you move to South Carolina with a vehicle that was registered in another state, you generally have 45 days to transfer the vehicle registration to South Carolina. If you're already past that deadline, you should complete the registration as soon as possible and pay any applicable late fee.
- South Carolina Vehicle Registration Guide (2026) Main Guide
- South Carolina Temporary Tags Guide (2026) Temporary Tags
- South Carolina DMV Complete Guide (2026) Main Guide
For the current registration process, fees, and penalty details, go straight to the source.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace official SCDMV instructions or legal advice. Registration requirements and fees can change, so confirm the current requirements at SCDMV.gov before completing your registration.