Last checked Nov 10, 2026
Buying a car in South Carolina
The tax you will pay, whether your trade-in lowers it, what the dealer may charge for paperwork, and where to title and register. Taken from official South Carolina sources.
- State tax on vehicles
- 5%
- Trade-in lowers tax
- Yes
- Doc fee limit
- No cap
- Deadline to title or register
- 45 days
infrastructure maintenance fee
details below
Sales tax on a car in South Carolina
South Carolina charges a state infrastructure maintenance fee of 5% on vehicle purchases.
Vehicles that pay the infrastructure maintenance fee are exempt from state and local sales and use taxes.
The fee is 5% of the purchase price but no more than $500. In a sale by someone who is not a licensed dealer it is based on fair market value, and a $250 fee applies to a vehicle the owner first registered in another state.
Does a trade-in lower the tax?
The fee is based on the sale price, which does not include the value of a trade-in.
Example, state tax only. On a $30,000 car with a $10,000 trade-in, the taxable amount is $20,000, so the state tax is about $1,000. Without the trade-in it would be $1,500. Local taxes and fees are extra.
Dealer doc fees in South Carolina
State law sets no fixed limit on a dealer's closing fee, but the dealer must file its maximum fee with the Department of Consumer Affairs. A fee of $225 or less is automatically approved, and a higher fee may be reviewed against the dealer's actual costs.
Whatever the rule, the fee is part of your out-the-door price. Ask for it in the written quote and negotiate the total, not the line. See dealer fees explained.
Title and registration
Titles and registrations are handled by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. A newly purchased vehicle must be registered within 45 days of the purchase date. The county property tax bill must be paid and the receipt given to the SCDMV to register.
Also worth knowing
- The closing fee must be disclosed on the sales contract, displayed at the dealership and included in advertisements for a specific vehicle.
- Late registration fees start at $10 for registering 46 to 60 days after purchase and rise to $75 after 135 days.
- The title fee is $15.
Sources
- SCDMV: Buying or Selling a Car (dmv.sc.gov)
- SCDMV: Fees (dmv.sc.gov)
- S.C. Code 56-3-627: Infrastructure maintenance fee (scstatehouse.gov)
- S.C. Code 37-2-307: Motor vehicle sales contracts closing fees (scstatehouse.gov)
- S.C. Department of Revenue Ruling 18-1: Sales and use tax and the infrastructure maintenance fee on vehicles (dor.sc.gov)
Last checked Nov 10, 2026; next review by Feb 10, 2027. This page explains how the rules generally work and is not tax or legal advice. Rules change, so confirm with the state. Report an error.
Concierge
Rather not do this part yourself?
Tell us the car you want. A person finds it, checks it, negotiates the out-the-door price in writing, and lines up the paperwork. You approve every step.