How to Register a Vehicle in South Carolina
Driving a car can be a pleasurable experience. However, if you try to drive an unregistered car in South Carolina (or pretty much anywhere) you will be in trouble. Reading this article will teach you how to register a vehicle in South Carolina.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Pay sales tax on your vehicle. This is generally the first step to registering your vehicle in South Carolina. If you don't pay your sales tax on your vehicle, you can't get your tax decal and if you are pulled over without your decal you may be fined. To pay your sales taxes all you have to do is go to the county courthouse in your South Carolina county, pay the amount you owe in sales tax and take the receipt you are given over to the DMV as proof you have paid your taxes and they will give you a decal. It is recommended that you renew your decal by paying your property taxes every year by the last day of the month you are scheduled for property taxes or your vehicle will be auctioned by the State of South Carolina.
-
2
Get a title for your vehicle. If you don't have a title for your vehicle at the time of purchase or lease (if you are buying it from someone other than a dealer) you will have to request a title in your name. If you don't request a title in your name, you may not be able to purchase auto insurance from some insurers and thus will not be able to drive your vehicle. Getting a title is simple, generically; it is only 15 dollars to request a title through the mail. However, it is recommended that you don't wait because if you do and when you finally go to get your title, the DMV will charge extra fees per 30, 45, 60, 90 or more days.
-
-
3
Get insurance for your car. Getting insurance is one of the most crucial parts of the registration process. If you don't get auto insurance on your car, the previous two steps will be a horrible waste of effort because if you attempt to drive without auto insurance you will be put in jail, license suspended, car impounded and you will have to pay fines. Driving without insurance is not worth all this. It is recommended that you shop for the best rate possible when shopping for auto insurance to ensure that you will be able to pay for it. For the purpose of shopping for insurance, the South Carolina DMV offers an insurance buyer's guide that offers current rates from all major insurance companies.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Never take chances with driving laws. Could you walk everywhere you had to go? That's what would happen if you broke some of these laws in South Carolina.
Resources
- Photo Credit Image Courtesy: Greenwich Mean Time
