How often do you register a vehicle in South Carolina?

South Carolina passenger vehicle registration runs on a two-year (biennial) cycle, so the standard registration fee covers two years. This calculator shows the biennial registration fee plus any one-time titling fees that apply when you first register the vehicle.

What is the South Carolina infrastructure maintenance fee?

When you title a vehicle for the first time in South Carolina, the state charges a one-time Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) of 5% of the price, capped at 500 dollars. The IMF replaced the old sales tax on vehicles and funds road maintenance.

Does this include property tax on my car?

No. South Carolina counties charge a separate annual vehicle property tax based on your county millage rate and the car's assessed value, which you pay to the county before renewing your plate. This tool covers only the SCDMV registration and titling fees.

How much is the title fee in South Carolina?

South Carolina charges a flat title fee when ownership is recorded, plus a small license plate fee. These are one-time costs at purchase; renewals only require the registration fee and the county property tax.

Why is the fee different for trucks and motorcycles?

South Carolina sets distinct base registration fees by vehicle class — passenger cars, motorcycles, and property-carrying (truck) vehicles each have their own schedule, with heavier trucks costing more by weight. Select the correct type so the base fee matches your vehicle.

South Carolina Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator

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Registering a vehicle in South Carolina means paying the SCDMV registration fee (on a two-year cycle for passenger cars), a one-time title fee and license plate fee when you first title the car, and — for a newly purchased vehicle — the Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF). This estimator sums those costs.

How it works

The total is the base registration for your vehicle class plus the applicable one-time fees:

base registration = biennial fee for the vehicle type
IMF (new title)    = min(5% × purchase price, $500)
total              = base + title fee + plate fee + IMF (if titling)

The IMF only applies when you title a vehicle (purchase or move-in); a simple renewal pays just the registration fee. County vehicle property tax is billed separately by your county and is not part of these DMV fees.

Example and notes

Titling a 25,000 dollar passenger car: the IMF is min(5% × 25,000, 500) = 500, added to the biennial registration, title fee, and plate fee. A renewal two years later pays only the registration fee plus your county’s property tax bill. These are estimates using standard SCDMV amounts — verify the current fee schedule and your county property tax with the SCDMV and your county auditor.