How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in South Carolina

South Carolina car registration renewal is required for all vehicles once every two years. This renewal allows the state to keep track of which vehicles are driving on public roads at any given time. If your registration has expired, you should renew as soon as possible, as it is illegal to drive an unregistered vehicle. The process of renewing will be the same, except that you will be required to pay a late fee. This fee increases every day for the first 90 days past your expiration date.

In this article, you will learn all that you need to know about getting a DMV car registration renewal in South Carolina: how to get a DMV registration renewal online, the importance of your renewal notice, the documentation you will be required provide, the fees you will need to pay and more. You will learn how to use each of the three renewal methods available in the state.

Requirements for Car Registration Renewal in South Carolina

You can only pay your South Carolina DMV registration renewal fees after you have paid your property taxes. In order to renew, you also need to have bodily damage liability insurance, property liability insurance and underinsured/uninsured insurance. You need to maintain the same level of coverage that was required when you initially registered.

What do you need to renew your car registration in South Carolina?

In order to renew your registration, you need to know the name of the insurance company that issued your vehicle’s policy. As well, you need to know your registration number. Other requirements -such as the form you need to submit and the methods that you may use to pay with- vary based on how you renew your vehicle. These renewal processes are explained in the section below, titled, “South Carolina Car Registration Renewal Options”.

The requirements for a leased car registration renewal are the same as they are for a regular renewal, if your name is listed on the registration. If it is not, the owner listed on the registration will need to sign power of attorney over to you before you are allowed to renew.

South Carolina Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice

You are informed of your South Carolina DMV registration renewal status shortly before it is set to expire. When the expiration date is near, the DMV will send you a notice in the mail. Aside from letting you know that it is time to renew, the notice also allows you to renew online.

South Carolina Car Registration Renewal Notice Lost or Not Received

If you lost your car registration renewal notice, or never received one, you will need to contact a County Treasurer’s office. This office will provide you with a South Carolina lost car registration renewal form, allowing you to continue the renewal process.

You will not be given an extension if your notice is lost in the mail, which means you will be required to pay a late fee if you do not contact the DMV on time.

South Carolina Car Registration Renewal Options

South Carolina offers three different registration renewal methods, and which method you choose will vary based on convenience, expiration date and whether or not you have your renewal notice. Below you will learn how to renew your car registration in South Carolina online, in-person or via the mail.

How to Renew Your Car Registration Online

In order to renew a car registration online in South Carolina, you need to go to the South Carolina DMV’s online portal. Your registration notice will contain most of the information you need to renew, such as your registration number. However, you will also need to provide information about your insurance policy. You can provide either the name of the company that issued your policy or the policy number that was assigned to you.

You can pay for a vehicle registration renewal online in North Carolina using credit cards or debit cards from most major companies. At this time, the DMV does not accept American Express.

How to Renew Your Car Registration by Mail

Once you have received your vehicle registration renewal notice, you will be able to renew your registration via the mail. In order to do so, you need to fill out the requested information on the notice and send it back. This form requires you to pay your renewal fee at the same time you pay property taxes on the vehicle.

You can pay to renew a car registration in South Carolina using either a money order or a check. Send payment, along with the form, to:

SCDMV
Alternative Media
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0035

Postage time may take up to three weeks, so if your vehicle’s expiration date is less than three weeks away, you should use a different renewal method. You must be a US citizen in order to use this method.

How to Renew Your Car Registration in Person

The process of getting a motor vehicle registration renewal in-person at the County Tax Collector’s Office is simple. You need to know the name of the insurance company that issued your vehicle’s policy and your license or registration number.

The latter can be found on your vehicle registration renewal notice, which you are encouraged to bring. If you do not have your notice, you can also bring your current registration card. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, checks, debit cards and credit cards. Keep in mind that the DMV does not accept American Express. An appointment is not required.

To renew an expired car registration in South Carolina, you will need to pay a late fee. The expired car registration fee accrues from the first day of expiration to the ninetieth. After 90 days, you will need to pay the maximum expiration fee.

The only form of identification you need to bring is your SC driver’s license. If you do not know where to renew your car registration in South Carolina, you can call (803) 896-5000.

Military & Out of State Vehicle Registration Renewal in South Carolina

Active service members need to renew their car registration in South Carolina using the same process as everyone else. Online renewals are recommended for many service members, as it is the most convenient method if you are currently out-of-state.

South Carolina Vehicle Registration Renewal Fees

Car registration renewal cost in South Carolina is the same for most residents, though discounts are available for seniors and the permanently disabled. If you own an electric or hybrid vehicle, you will need to pay a road use fee, which is charged along with the regular passenger car renewal fee.

• Standard passenger cars cost $40 to renew.
• If you are 64, your registration renewal will cost $38
• If you are 65, your registration renewal will cost $36.
• If you have a permanent disability, your registration renewal will cost $36.
• Electric vehicle owners need to pay an additional $120 fee.
• Hybrid vehicles owners need to pay an additional $60 fee.