Insurance Required to Register a Vehicle in South Carolina
Before you can register a vehicle in South Carolina, you need active insurance. Here's exactly what's required, the minimum limits, and what happens if your coverage lapses.
Quick Reference
Minimum Liability Limits
Typically 25/50/25 or higher
State minimums vary widely. 25/50/25 is common. Some states require lower (CA 15/30/5) or higher.
How Insurance Is Verified
Electronic verification + physical insurance card
Most states use electronic verification systems. All states require carrying proof of insurance in the vehicle.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Required in ~22 states; optional in others
UM coverage is mandatory in about 22 states. Highly recommended even where optional given national 12-30% uninsured rates.
PIP / No-Fault / MedPay
PIP required in 12 no-fault states
No-fault states require PIP coverage. Other states offer optional MedPay coverage.
What Happens If Insurance Lapses
Fines, registration suspension, possible license suspension
Insurance lapse consequences vary by state. Most states suspend registration and add reinstatement fees.
Can You Register Without Insurance?
No — most states prevent registration without insurance
About 48 states verify insurance at registration. Driving uninsured carries significant penalties.
South Carolina Standout Warning
South Carolina-Specific Facts for Insurance Required To Register
South Carolina Vehicle transfer fees and requirements
In South Carolina, the title transfer fee is $15 and registration costs $24 per year. Vehicle sales are subject to 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) capped at $500. South Carolina does not require notarization for private-party vehicle transfers. South Carolina does not require emission testing for private-party vehicle sales.
- 5% IMF on vehicle purchases, capped at $500
- Title transfer within 45 days of sale
- Property tax must be paid before registration
South Carolina sales tax on vehicle purchases
South Carolina has a 5% state sales tax rate. 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF), capped at $500. Private-party vehicle sales in South Carolina are subject to sales tax. IMF applies to all vehicle sales, capped at $500 max. The title transfer fee is $15.
South Carolina bill of sale statistics
BillOfSaleNow has generated 1,283 bill of sale documents for South Carolina transactions, with 35 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.
More South Carolina Vehicle Guides
- EV Tax Credit in South Carolina
- Emissions Inspection in South Carolina
- Extended Warranty Cancellation in South Carolina
- Fleet Vehicle Sale in South Carolina
- GAP Insurance Claim in South Carolina
- Government Surplus Vehicle in South Carolina
Each guide is written specifically for South Carolina laws, agencies, and procedures. Bookmark for future reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What insurance is required to register a vehicle in South Carolina?
Yes — most states require liability insurance for registration. Nearly every state requires proof of liability insurance to register a vehicle. NH and (partial) VA are the only exceptions.
What are South Carolina's minimum liability limits?
Typically 25/50/25 or higher. State minimums vary widely. 25/50/25 is common. Some states require lower (CA 15/30/5) or higher.
How does South Carolina verify my insurance?
Electronic verification + physical insurance card. Most states use electronic verification systems. All states require carrying proof of insurance in the vehicle.
Can I register a car without insurance in South Carolina?
No — most states prevent registration without insurance. About 48 states verify insurance at registration. Driving uninsured carries significant penalties.
What happens if my insurance lapses in South Carolina?
Fines, registration suspension, possible license suspension. Insurance lapse consequences vary by state. Most states suspend registration and add reinstatement fees.
Just Bought a Vehicle?
Before you register, lock in insurance. A South Carolina bill of sale also helps the insurance carrier verify ownership for new coverage.
Generate Bill of SaleSource: State DMV or Department of Insurance. Insurance rules change periodically — verify current requirements with your state DMV before registering.