South Carolina Vehicle Bill of Sale

Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in South Carolina?

The SCDMV requires a signed Bill of Sale or Buyer's Order for all title transactions showing the total sale price of the vehicle. If the back of the title includes sections for the sales price and odometer reading and both are completed, a separate bill of sale may not be needed — but the SCDMV uses the bill of sale to verify the purchase price and calculate the Infrastructure Maintenance Fee. In practice, having a bill of sale prevents processing delays at the SCDMV branch office.

Does a South Carolina bill of sale need to be notarized?

No. South Carolina does not require notarization of a vehicle bill of sale or the title assignment for standard private-party transfers. The signed title and the buyer's signature on the bill of sale are sufficient. The seller should also complete a Notice of Vehicle Sold (Form 416) and submit it to the SCDMV within 30 days of the sale to protect against liability.

What is the Infrastructure Maintenance Fee?

Since July 1, 2017, South Carolina has replaced traditional vehicle sales tax with an Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) for most vehicle purchases. The IMF is 5% of the purchase price, capped at a maximum of $500 regardless of the vehicle's value. This means a vehicle purchased for $10,000 or more generates the same $500 IMF — a significant savings for buyers of higher-priced vehicles compared to states that charge uncapped sales tax. The IMF is collected by the SCDMV at the time of title transfer.

Certain transfers are exempt from the IMF, including gifts between immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling), transfers to or from a revocable living trust, and transfers due to inheritance. Each exemption requires specific supporting documentation submitted with the Title Application (Form 400).

Is property tax required before titling?

Yes. South Carolina requires the buyer to pay county property tax on the vehicle before the SCDMV will process the title application. The buyer must visit the county auditor's office to have the vehicle assessed, pay the property tax, and obtain a paid tax receipt. This receipt is a required document for the title transfer — the SCDMV will not issue a title without it. Property tax rates vary by county and are based on the vehicle's value.

How quickly must the buyer register the vehicle?

South Carolina law requires the buyer to register the vehicle within 45 days of the purchase date. After 45 days, late penalties begin to accrue — up to $10 per month. The buyer can apply for a 30-day temporary license plate (Form 433) while waiting to complete the title transfer. Registration is valid for two years in South Carolina, with a biennial renewal cycle.

What should the seller do after the sale?

The seller must remove their license plates from the vehicle before delivery. South Carolina plates belong to the owner — the seller can transfer the plates to another vehicle or surrender active plates at an SCDMV branch. The seller must also submit a Notice of Vehicle Sold (Form 416) to the SCDMV within 30 days, either in person or by mail. This form protects the seller from liability for violations committed by the buyer but does not by itself transfer ownership — the buyer must complete the title application separately.

What if the vehicle has multiple owners?

If the vehicle is titled to more than one person, all owners on the title must sign the bill of sale. Use the "Add a co-seller" option on the form to add the second seller's name and address. Both sellers' names and signature lines will appear on the document. For electronic signing, each co-owner can sign on the same device in sequence, or the document can be passed from one device to another via QR code or shared link. Both buyers can likewise be named on the bill of sale using the "Add a co-buyer" option.