South Carolina Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in South Carolina costs $15 in title fees, and you have 45 days to do it. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $555 in total, with $500 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
South Carolina title fees
These are the title-related fees in South Carolina's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $15 |
|---|---|
| Title expedited | $35 |
| Plate | $40 |
| Late transfer penalty (46–60 days) | $10 |
| Late transfer penalty (61–75 days) | $25 |
| Late transfer penalty (76–135 days) | $50 |
| Late transfer penalty (over 135 days) | $75 |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in South Carolina
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the South Carolina car tax calculator:
| Title | $15 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $500 |
| Registration (2 years) (if you register it now) | $40 |
| Estimated total | $555 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
In South Carolina the buyer must apply for the new title within 45 days of the sale. Late penalties: plate $40; late transfer penalty (46–60 days) $10; late transfer penalty (61–75 days) $25; late transfer penalty (76–135 days) $50; late transfer penalty (over 135 days) $75.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Bona fide gift, family transfer or legal heir (Form 400) | IMF $0 |
|---|---|
| Assuming payments | Full IMF; not a gift |
Other cases that change the cost in South Carolina
| New resident with vehicle registered out of state | Flat $250 IMF |
|---|---|
| Military with verified Form 400 non-imposition | IMF $0 |
| Nominal ($1) sale | Taxable |
How South Carolina works out what you owe
- Dealer: net = price - trade-in + doc fee; private: net = price - trade-in
- IMF = min($500, net x 5%)
- Total = IMF + title + plate + EV/hybrid fee + late penalty + county property tax + doc fee
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for South Carolina: dmv.sc.gov, dor.sc.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in South Carolina?
The title fee is $15. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $555.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in South Carolina?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, South Carolina charges about $500. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
How long do I have to transfer a title in South Carolina?
45 days from the sale. After that a late penalty applies: Plate $40; Late transfer penalty (46–60 days) $10; Late transfer penalty (61–75 days) $25; Late transfer penalty (76–135 days) $50; Late transfer penalty (over 135 days) $75.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in South Carolina?
Bona fide gift, family transfer or legal heir (Form 400): IMF $0. Assuming payments: Full IMF; not a gift.