I’ve just purchased a vehicle. What do I need to do?

Dealership

If you purchased the vehicle through a dealer, you need to know if the dealer is securing a license plate for you from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If they are, they will submit an affidavit of your purchase to the DMV and we will generate a tax notice from this information and mail a notice to you that is due within 120 days of your purchase.

DMV

If the dealer is not purchasing your plate, you will need to bring a copy of the bill of sale with the lien holder recorded on it or a title (if the vehicle has no lien) in order for the auditor to produce a tax notice. You would then take your tax receipt along with the other required documents (including proof of vehicle insurance) to complete the registration process and secure a plate at the DMV.

Transfers

If you are transferring license plates from one vehicle you own to the new vehicle, bring in the registration for the vehicle to which the plate was transferred.

Show All Answers

1. I’m new to South Carolina. How do I register my vehicles? Where do I start?
2. I’ve just purchased a vehicle. What do I need to do?
3. I have moved from one county to another in South Carolina. What should I do?
4. How can I get my taxes lowered?
5. Can’t I get a reduction on my boat, camper or RV taxes?
6. Why is this tax bill so high on my business?
7. What is this information about making tax installment payments?
8. Can I get a reduction on my vehicle taxes?
9. What is this school tax credit savings?
10. What is this stormwater fee that’s on my bill?
11. Isn’t there a cap on the millage?
12. What about the 15% cap on real estate?
13. Why is a household fee listed?
14. I pay a solid waste fee to my homeowner's association (HOA). Do I still have to pay the county household fee?
15. What is the landfill fee on my tax notice?
16. What is this commercial landfill fee - my business is in the city?
17. What if I want to appeal the assessed value of my real property?
18. What if I want to appeal the assessed value of my personal property?