Selling or buying a vehicle in South Carolina? Instead of traditional sales tax, SC charges a 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) on the purchase price — capped at $500 regardless of price.
This free template is formatted for South Carolina’s requirements and works alongside Form 400 at any SCDMV branch office.
Click Get This Template below to open it in Google Docs, then click Use Template to save a copy to your Drive.
For templates for all 50 states, visit the Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Templates →
On this page:
- What Is a South Carolina Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
- Is a Bill of Sale Required in South Carolina?
- South Carolina-Specific Requirements
- Free South Carolina Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
- How to Fill Out the Template
- How to Transfer a Car Title in South Carolina
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a South Carolina Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
A South Carolina motor vehicle bill of sale is a written record of a private vehicle sale.
South Carolina ownership transfers for cars are typically executed on the vehicle title. A bill of sale is required in specific situations and strongly recommended for all private sales. Title transfers are processed at any SCDMV branch office or by mail to SCDMV, 10311 Wilson Blvd., Blythewood, SC 29016-0038.
Is a Bill of Sale Required in South Carolina?
The SCDMV requires a bill of sale when the title does not have space for an odometer reading or purchase price, or when the vehicle was originally titled before June 19, 1989. For all other standard transfers, a bill of sale is strongly recommended to document the purchase price and protect both parties.
After the sale, the seller must submit a completed Notice of Vehicle Sold (Form 416) to the SCDMV.
South Carolina-Specific Requirements
1. 45-Day Deadline for New Residents
New South Carolina residents have 45 days from establishing residency to complete a car title transfer. Before transferring the title, pay any vehicle property taxes with your county treasurer — a new SC title cannot be issued until this is done.
2. Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF): 5% Capped at $500
South Carolina replaced traditional sales tax on vehicles with a 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) on the purchase price — with a maximum cap of $500 per transaction. This means the maximum IMF you will ever pay on a vehicle purchase in South Carolina is $500, regardless of how expensive the vehicle is.
Family transfers (parent, spouse, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild) and bona fide gifts are exempt from IMF.
3. Seller: File Notice of Vehicle Sold (Form 416)
After the sale, the seller must submit a completed Form 416 (Notice of Vehicle Sold) to the SCDMV. This removes the seller from liability for the vehicle after the sale date.
4. No Strike-Overs or White-Out on Form 400
No strike-overs, erasures, correction tape, or correction fluid is acceptable on Form 400 (Title and/or Registration Application) — specifically on the VIN or odometer fields. Any errors require a corrected form.
5. Property Tax Must Be Paid First
Before transferring an out-of-state title, the buyer must first pay vehicle property taxes with their county treasurer. The new SC title will not be issued until the out-of-state title is cleared through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS).
6. SC Driver’s License Number or SSN Required
Effective July 1, 2025, the SCDMV requires the customer’s South Carolina Driver’s License Number or Social Security Number on Form 400.
7. Notarization
South Carolina does not require notarization for a standard private party vehicle bill of sale. Notarization is optional but recommended for high-value sales.
Free South Carolina Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
This template opens in Google Docs. Click Use Template to save a copy to your Drive, fill it out digitally, or print and complete by hand.
How to Fill Out the Template
Enter the seller’s name exactly as it appears on the Certificate of Title. Enter the buyer’s name exactly as they want it on the new title.
In Section 3, copy the VIN character by character. Enter the full agreed purchase price in Section 4 — South Carolina calculates 5% IMF (capped at $500) on this figure.
Both parties sign Section 11. The seller must also file Form 416 (Notice of Vehicle Sold) after the sale.
For a complete field-by-field walkthrough of every section, see: How to Fill Out a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale →
How to Transfer a Car Title in South Carolina
For the Seller
Complete the assignment section on the back of the title. File Form 416 (Notice of Vehicle Sold) with the SCDMV. Provide the buyer with this bill of sale.
For the Buyer
Visit any SCDMV branch with the signed title, this bill of sale, completed Form 400 (Title and/or Registration Application), proof of SC insurance, valid SC driver’s license or ID, proof of paid county property tax, and payment for the 5% IMF (max $500) and registration fees. Applications may also be mailed to SCDMV, 10311 Wilson Blvd., Blythewood, SC 29016-0038.
Lost Title
Apply for a duplicate title at any SCDMV branch before proceeding. Contact the SCDMV at dmv.sc.gov or (803) 896-5000.
Frequently Asked Questions
South Carolina replaced traditional sales tax with a 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) on the purchase price, capped at a maximum of $500 regardless of the vehicle’s price. Family transfers (parent, spouse, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild) and bona fide gifts are exempt.
Form 416 (Notice of Vehicle Sold) is the form the seller files with the SCDMV after the sale to remove their liability for the vehicle. Filing it protects the seller from tickets, toll violations, and other incidents after the sale date.
Yes for out-of-state title transfers. Before completing an out-of-state title transfer, the buyer must first pay vehicle property taxes with their county treasurer. A new SC title will not be issued until the out-of-state title clears the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS).
No. South Carolina does not require notarization for a standard private party vehicle bill of sale. Notarization is optional but recommended for high-value sales.
45 days from establishing residency. Pay vehicle property taxes with your county treasurer first, then visit any SCDMV branch with the required documents.
Yes. South Carolina does not require a specific state-issued bill of sale form for most private party transfers. Any bill of sale with the required information — seller and buyer details, VIN, purchase price, date of sale, and signatures — is acceptable alongside Form 400.
This template and all information on this page are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Contact the SCDMV at dmv.sc.gov or (803) 896-5000 to confirm current requirements before completing your transaction.