Overview
Miss that 45-day window and South Carolina applies the same delinquent-registration penalty schedule used for renewals: $10 if you're a couple weeks late, climbing to $75 if you let it slide past 90 days. It's a flatter, gentler ladder than the percentage-based tax penalties some states use - but the title still isn't legally yours until it's filed, and driving or insuring an untitled vehicle can complicate a claim if something goes wrong.
01 - Official fees
South Carolina title transfer fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title fee | $15.00 | |
| Infrastructure Maintenance Fee | 5%, capped at $500 | unless gift/inheritance/already-taxed |
| Late filing penalty, up to 14 days | $10.00 | |
| Late filing penalty, 15–30 days | $25.00 | |
| Late filing penalty, 31–90 days | $50.00 | |
| Late filing penalty, 90+ days | $75.00 |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county treasurer/auditor for property tax, then the SCDMV for title and registration - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to transfer a title in South Carolina
- 1
Seller signs the title's assignment section over to the buyer; both sign a bill of sale showing the price.
- 2
Complete Form 400 (Title and Registration Application), marking the gift box if it applies.
- 3
File Form 400 with the SCDMV - in person, by mail, or through an authorized dealer - within 45 days of the sale.
- 4
Pay the $15 title fee and the IMF (or confirm the exemption for a gift or already-taxed transfer).
- 5
Keep the receipt; the new title and registration follow by mail if not issued on the spot.
03 - Same state, other costs
More South Carolina vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
South Carolina title transfer FAQ
How much does a title transfer cost in South Carolina?
The title itself is $15. In nearly every case you'll also owe the IMF - 5% of the price or fair market value, capped at $500 - so budget for both together unless the transfer is an exempt gift or inheritance.
What's the deadline to transfer a title after buying a car in South Carolina?
45 days from the sale date, filed with the SCDMV on Form 400. That's noticeably longer than the 30-day window many states give buyers.
What happens if I file the title transfer late?
The same delinquent-registration penalty ladder as a late renewal applies: $10 up to 14 days late, $25 through 30 days, $50 through 90 days, and $75 past that - a flat dollar amount, not a percentage of the vehicle's price.
Can I drive the car while the title transfer is pending?
Yes, within the 45-day window, provided you have a bill of sale, valid insurance, and (if plates don't carry over) a temporary tag from the seller or dealer. Past 45 days without filing, you're both unregistered and racking up the late penalty.
Does South Carolina require an odometer disclosure on the title transfer?
Yes, for vehicles under 20 model years old - the odometer reading goes on Form 400 itself, filled out and signed by both buyer and seller at the time of sale.
I inherited a vehicle - is the title transfer different?
Inherited vehicles skip the IMF but still need Form 400, along with probate documentation (or a small-estate affidavit where no probate is required) proving you're the rightful heir. The $15 title fee still applies.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.