South Carolina Motorcycle Bill of Sale Requirements

South Carolina Motorcycle transfer fees and requirements

In South Carolina, the title transfer fee is $15 and registration costs $24 per year. Motorcycle sales are subject to 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) capped at $500. South Carolina does not require notarization for private-party motorcycle transfers. South Carolina does not require emission testing for private-party motorcycle 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 motorcycle purchases

South Carolina has a 5% state sales tax rate. 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF), capped at $500. Private-party motorcycle 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.

Motorcycle market data and safety information

The most common motorcycle makes in private-party sales are Harley-Davidson, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki. Average private-party motorcycle prices range from $2,000–$20,000. Motorcycles average 2.4 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Electrical, Brakes.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used motorcycle

Before completing a motorcycle bill of sale in South Carolina, verify these safety items:

• Check tire condition — motorcycle tires have a 5-year lifespan regardless of tread
• Inspect brake pads and fluid condition on both front and rear systems
• Verify chain/belt tension and sprocket wear
• Test all lighting including turn signals and brake light

Motorcycle insurance and depreciation in South Carolina

Motorcycle insurance averages $700–$1,500/year for full coverage. Sport bikes cost significantly more to insure than cruisers. Motorcycles depreciate 35–50% in the first 3 years. Harley-Davidson and BMW models hold value best. Peak season for private motorcycle sales is late winter to early spring (february–april) as riding season approaches, with an average of 30 days on market.

Motorcycle registration and titling

Motorcycles are classified as "Motorcycle" for registration purposes. No weight-based exemption for motorcycles. All motorcycles under 20 years old require federal odometer disclosure. Federal odometer disclosure is required for motorcycles under 20 years old.

Motorcycle title transfer rules

Motorcycle title transfer requires a signed title and bill of sale. Unlike cars, motorcycles have no federal odometer exemption based on weight, so all motorcycles under 20 years old require odometer disclosure. Motorcycle titles include engine displacement (cc) and may differ from car titles in format. Some states issue a separate MCO (Manufacturer Certificate of Origin) for new motorcycles instead of a title.

Odometer disclosure for motorcycle sales

All motorcycles under 20 years old require federal odometer disclosure under 49 CFR 580. There is no weight-based exemption for motorcycles. The seller must certify the odometer reading on the title or a separate form.

• Applicable law: 49 CFR Part 580 — Odometer Disclosure Requirements

Required disclosures for motorcycle sales in South Carolina

When selling a motorcycle in South Carolina, the following disclosures apply:

• Helmet law compliance varies by state — some require helmets for all riders, others only for riders under 18.
• Aftermarket exhaust or engine modifications may affect emission compliance in states with inspection programs.
• Salvage or theft-recovery title brands are common for motorcycles and must be disclosed.

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.