Free South Carolina Vehicle Bill of Sale

A South Carolina vehicle bill of sale documents the private transfer of a car or truck and records the price that supports the 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee — figured on fair market value and capped at $500. Pair it with the signed title and SCDMV Form 400 within 45 days to register cleanly without late penalties.

South Carolina Requirements: Register within 45 days of purchase; the title law itself says to apply promptly after delivery. Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (capped $500) applies; it is not a flat percentage of the price.

Seller Information

Full Name *

Street Address *

City *

State *

ZIP Code *

Phone

Buyer Information

Full Name *

Street Address *

City *

State *

ZIP Code *

Phone

Vehicle Details

Year *

Make *

Model *

VIN *

Color *

Mileage *

License Plate

Odometer reading is accurate to the best of my knowledge

Lien Holder (if applicable)

Sale Information

Sale Price ($) *

Payment Method *

Date of Sale *

County of Sale (if known)

Applicable Taxes Paid By

Condition & Warranty

Sold AS-IS (no warranty)

Warranty Details (if applicable)

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Transferring any motor vehicle? Our guide covers VIN verification, title transfer timelines, payment safety, and the eight things to do before handing over the keys — applicable to any car, truck, or SUV. Read: Car Bill of Sale: Complete Guide →

South Carolina Vehicle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form

4031

SC Bill of Sale (Form 4031)

Agency

SCDMV

SC Department of Motor Vehicles

Primary ID Field

VIN

Sales Tax

See state rules

Title Required

Yes

Seller signs the South Carolina title over to the buyer; buyer files SCDMV Form 400 (title and registration application) and registers within 45 days of purchase to avoid penalties.

Inspection

Not required

Sales Tax Details

South Carolina charges a 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) instead of sales tax — and it is CAPPED at $500 no matter how expensive the vehicle. A $15,000 car owes $500 (the cap), and a $60,000 truck still owes only $500. This single cap saves SC buyers thousands compared to neighboring states with uncapped sales tax.

Exemption: Immediate-family transfers are excluded from the IMF. By law, immediate family means a spouse, parents, children, sisters, brothers, grandparents, and grandchildren; ask SCDMV what proof it needs.

Inspection Requirements

South Carolina does NOT require state safety inspections or emissions testing for private vehicle sales. Buyers should still arrange an independent pre-purchase mechanical inspection.

Registration

Registration for this vehicle type is handled by SCDMV — not the same agency that handles cars in South Carolina. Plan for separate filings.

South Carolina Vehicle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

Buyer and seller full legal names, SC addresses, and signatures (Form 4031 has fields for both)
Vehicle year, make, model, body style, and 17-character VIN
Exact odometer reading on the day of sale
Sale price in dollars (supports the 5% IMF, which is figured on fair market value, up to the $500 cap)
Date of sale
Original SC title signed over by the seller in the assignment section
SCDMV Form 400 (Application for Certificate of Title) completed by the buyer
Proof of SC liability insurance before plates are issued
County property tax receipt (paid to the county before SCDMV will register)

Common Pitfalls

Missing the 45-day registration window — SCDMV adds late penalties on top of the IMF
Forgetting that SC vehicles owe annual county property tax (millage rate × assessed value) every year — this is separate from the one-time IMF and recurs forever
Assuming "no sales tax" means free — the 5% IMF still applies up to $500
Skipping the county auditor step: in SC, you must pay county property tax BEFORE SCDMV will issue plates
Not verifying the title is clean — SC Title Search via SCDMVonline.com flags liens and brands before money changes hands

Pro Tip

Run a free VIN check on SCDMVonline.com before paying, file Form 400 and register within 45 days, and remember the IMF is capped at $500 — a built-in SC discount versus uncapped sales-tax states.

South Carolina Vehicle Bill of Sale — FAQs

How much will I actually pay in taxes and fees on a $35,000 car in South Carolina?

You will owe the maximum $500 Infrastructure Maintenance Fee — not 5% of $35,000. SC caps the IMF at $500 regardless of price, a real advantage over neighboring North Carolina, whose 3% Highway Use Tax has no such cap on a car. Add small SCDMV title and plate fees (~$15–$40), then pay your county property tax separately to the auditor. Total upfront SCDMV cost on a $35K vehicle is typically under $560.

Do I really have to pay property tax on my car every year in SC?

Yes. South Carolina is one of the few states that levies an annual personal property tax on vehicles, billed by your county auditor based on the millage rate where you live and the vehicle's depreciated value. This is completely separate from the one-time IMF paid at purchase. A typical commuter car runs $200–$600 per year, and you cannot renew your registration without a paid receipt. Budget for it every year you own the vehicle.

What is SCDMV Form 4031 and is it required?

Form 4031 is the official South Carolina bill of sale published by SCDMV. SCDMV requires a bill of sale when the title assignment has no space for the sale price; whether another written bill of sale will do is not confirmed here, so Form 4031 is the safe choice. The IMF is figured on fair market value (the price less any trade-in, or a national used-value guide figure). Keep copies for at least three years.

How do I transfer a car to a family member without paying the IMF?

Immediate-family transfers are excluded from the Infrastructure Maintenance Fee. By law that means a spouse, parents, children, sisters, brothers, grandparents, and grandchildren; ask SCDMV what proof it needs. Complete Form 4031 showing the relationship and a sale price of $0 or "gift," sign over the title, and file Form 400 with SCDMV. The buyer still owes plate fees and will start owing annual county property tax in their name from the transfer date forward.

Other South Carolina Templates

Car Bill of Sale Used Car Bill of Sale Motorcycle Bill of Sale Boat Bill of Sale Trailer Bill of Sale Horse Bill of Sale ATV Bill of Sale Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale RV Bill of Sale General Bill of Sale Free Printable Bill of Sale Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale As-Is Bill of Sale Gift Bill of Sale

Vehicle in Other States

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