Federal & State Regulations | Vehicle registration requirements - South Carolina

Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, and special mobile equipment vehicle driven upon South Carolina highways must be registered unless otherwise exempt. Exempt vehicles include:

Any implement of husbandry,
Privately owned and not for-hire trailers,
Special mobile equipment vehicle which only occasionally is moved over a highway, and
A vehicle owned and operated by the government.

Also exempt from registration is a trailer or semitrailer commonly used in combination with a large commercial motor vehicle for which the trailer or semitrailer fee imposed is paid, and applicable registration requirements provided are met, and a distinctive permanent plate has been issued.

Motor carriers operating commercial vehicles may be eligible for a South Carolina base plate (commercial vehicle registration) if one or more of the following apply:

You aren't transporting goods or commerce outside of South Carolina;
You're traveling outside of South Carolina with a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less; or
You're transporting outside of South Carolina with a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds, but not frequently.

Agency: Division of Motor Vehicles; see Regulatory Agencies for address(es).

License plate display

Truck tractors and road tractors must display one license plate on the front of the vehicle. All other motor vehicle must display one license plate on the rear of the vehicle.

Every license plate, at all times, must be fastened securely in a horizontal and upright position to the vehicle for which it was issued.

International Registration Plan

South Carolina is a member of the International Registration Plan (IRP). The IRP is a base state system for vehicle registration fees allowing a carrier to apply for vehicle registration and pay fees to a single jurisdiction.

Motor vehicles that qualify for apportionment consist of the following:

A power unit having two axles and a gross vehicle weight (GVW) or registered weight in excess of 26,000 pounds;
A power unit having three or more axles, regardless of weight; or
A unit used in combination when the weight of such combination exceeds a GVW or 26,000 pounds.

Temporary permit: South Carolina will issue letters authorizing temporary vehicle registration, pending issuance of IRP credentials. These permits may be obtained upon receipt of a completed application for title and registration of a newly purchased vehicle being transferred from another state or when adding another jurisdiction to the fleet. Temporary registrations won't be issued on vehicles being renewed under IRP. This permit is valid for a period of 45 days.

South Carolina will also issue a 72-hour trip permit at a cost of $15 to out-of-state carriers who aren't registered under the IRP, but wish to operate IRP-qualified motor vehicles intrastate and/or interstate within South Carolina.

Agency: South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, Motor Carrier Services.

Fees: IRP registration fees will vary.

['Registration and Permits - Motor Carrier']

['Vehicle Registration Permits']

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Vehicle registration requirements - South Carolina

License plate display

International Registration Plan