When you buy a car in South Carolina, you cannot legally drive it without a license plate. A temporary tag (license plate) gives you 45 days to drive legally while you wait for your permanent metal plate and registration to arrive in the mail.
How you get this tag depends on one simple question: did you buy it from a dealer or a private individual?
If You Bought Your Car from an SC Dealer…
This is the easiest scenario. You are already finished.
When you buy a car from any licensed South Carolina dealership:
- The dealer will handle all your paperwork, including the title application (Form 400) and registration.
- They will charge you for the sales tax (IMF) and all DMV fees as part of your purchase.
- The dealer will issue you a 45-day temporary tag and mount it on the car before you leave the lot.
You do not need to go to the DMV. Your permanent license plate and registration sticker will be mailed to you within 45 days to your address.
If You Bought Your Car in a Private Sale…
This is the guide for you. If you bought a car from another person (“for sale by owner”), the dealer process does not apply. You are now responsible for all the paperwork.
You must go in person to an SCDMV office to get your temporary tag. You cannot apply for a temporary tag online as an individual.
This tag is officially called a 45-Day Temporary Plate (Form 45-A). It costs $20, but to get it, you must also apply and pay for the vehicle’s full title and registration at the same time.
How To Get Your Temporary Tag (Private Sale) In South Carolina
Follow these steps exactly to ensure you get your tag in one trip.
Step 1: Get the Signed Title from the Seller
This is the most important step. You must have the original Vehicle Title. The seller must sign it over to you in the designated “Seller’s Signature” spot. A “Bill of Sale” is helpful, but it is no substitute for the title.
Step 2: Get South Carolina Auto Insurance
You cannot get a license plate (even a temporary one) without proving you have SC liability insurance on the new car. Call your insurance agent and add the car to your policy. Print out your new insurance card.
Step 3: Complete Your DMV Forms
To save time, download and fill out these two forms before you go:
- Form 400 (Application for Certificate of Title/Registration): This is the main application for your permanent title and registration.
- Form 45-A (Application for 45-Day Temporary Plate): This is the specific, one-page application for the temp tag.
Step 4: Visit an SCDMV Office (In-Person)
You must take all your documents to an SCDMV office. An appointment is highly recommended to avoid a long wait.
Step 5: Submit Your Paperwork and Pay ALL Fees
Go to the counter with your complete packet. They will process your permanent registration and your temporary tag at the same time.
Your In-Person Checklist:
- The Original Title (signed by the seller)
- Completed Form 400
- Completed Form 45-A
- Your valid SC Driver’s License
- Proof of SC Auto Insurance
You will then pay all the fees at once. Be prepared for this, as it includes the sales tax.
How Much It Will Cost To Get Tag In SC
Your article’s “$20 fee” is only for the tag itself. To get it, you must pay all of the following in one transaction:
- Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF): This is the “sales tax.” It is 5% of the purchase price, with a maximum cap of $500.
- Title Fee: $15
- Registration Fee: $40 (for a standard passenger car)
- Temporary Plate Fee: $20
Example: If you buy a car for $8,000, your total cost at the DMV will be: $400 (IMF) + $15 (Title) + $40 (Registration) + $20 (Temp Tag) = $475
Once you pay, the SCDMV will hand you the 45-day temporary plate, and you can legally drive your new car.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The 45-day tag (Form 45-A) is for SC residents who buy a car and need to register it in-state. The 30-day tag is for out-of-state residents who buy a car in SC and need to drive it back to their home state for registration.
No. As an individual, you must apply in-person at an SCDMV office. The “online” systems you may see are from third-party services (often for dealers) and are not the official way for a private-party buyer to get a tag.
No. You do not need a property tax receipt for a car you just bought. You will only be billed for property tax by your county after you have registered the car, and you must pay it before you can renew your registration in two years.
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