Free South Carolina License Plate Lookup

Check Any SC License Plate Number and Get a Free Vehicle History

Thinking about buying a used car in South Carolina? Run a 100% FREE South Carolina License Plate Lookup to unlock the vehicle’s complete history in seconds. Just enter the plate number to get a detailed report — including title records, accident history, odometer rollbacks, recalls, liens, theft checks, and more.

Why Trust VinCheck.info for South Carolina Plate Lookups?

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Why Run a South Carolina License Plate Check?

South Carolina, with its mix of scenic coastal highways, historic cities like Charleston, and growing metro areas such as Columbia and Greenville, has millions of registered vehicles on the road. While many used cars are reliable, some may come with hidden issues that only a background check can reveal.

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) oversees vehicle registrations and titles, linking them directly to license plates. A quick plate lookup can help you discover red flags such as prior accidents, flood damage, odometer fraud, or outstanding liens.

Stay safe and informed before making your next purchase. Run a free South Carolina license plate lookup today and drive with confidence knowing your car’s history is clear.

South Carolina Plate Serial Formats:
ABC 123 / 123 ABC

South Carolina Vehicle Registration

Registration is what makes your vehicle legal to drive on the road. It gives you:

• A valid license plate
• A decal sticker (bottom right corner of the plate)
• A registration card (usually kept in the glove box)

You can’t register a car without first having a title.

How to Register Your Vehicle

• Bought from a dealer? They usually handle registration for you.
• Bought from a private seller? You’ll need to: 
  1. Pay property taxes to your county.
  2. Bring the tax receipt to the SCDMV.
  3. Submit a completed Title Application (Form 400), proof of title, and fees.
  4. Pay the registration fee (extra fee if hybrid/electric).
  5. Choose whether to use an old plate (in your name) or get a new one.

Buying a Car

Key Tip: Always check that the seller has the title in their name before paying.

• From a dealer: They usually handle the title and registration for you.
• From a private seller: You’ll need to make sure:
  • The back of the title is properly filled out (buyer/seller info, odometer, price, date, signatures).
  • If the title doesn’t list the sales price, include a bill of sale.
  • Submit Form 400, title fee, and either sales tax or the Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) (5% of purchase price, max $500).
  • If you don’t have an SC license or ID, also complete Form TI-006 (Vehicle Operation in SC).
• Registration deadline: Within 45 days of purchase.

Selling a Car

Steps to Sell Your Vehicle:

1. Sign over the title (include odometer reading, price, and sale date).
2. Complete a Notice of Vehicle Sold (Form 416) and submit it to the SCDMV.
3. Return your license plate if not transferring it to another vehicle.
   • You don’t need to return expired plates.

If there’s a lien (buyer is making payments):

• You’ll be listed as the lienholder on Form 400.
• The title goes to you until the buyer pays in full.
• Once the lien is cleared, the buyer gets the clear title.
  

South Carolina Vehicle Title

A vehicle title (also called a Certificate of Title) proves you own a vehicle. The South Carolina DMV (SCDMV) issues titles for cars, trucks, and even some items that may never be registered with license plates. You can hold a title without registering the vehicle.

Titling a Vehicle

A title transaction (or title transfer) happens when ownership changes, such as buying or selling a car.

To title a vehicle in South Carolina, you’ll need:

• SCDMV Form 400 (Title Application)
• SCDMV Form TI-006 (if you don’t have an SC license/ID)
• Signed title from the seller (with price + odometer reading, or a Bill of Sale if missing)
• Title fee
• Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (if applicable)
• Bill of Sale/Buyer’s Order (signed by buyer, showing sale price minus trade-in value)

Bring these documents to an SCDMV branch office. If you plan to drive the vehicle, you must also register it.

More Than One Owner

You can title a vehicle in:

• One name – sole ownership.
• Two names with “or” – either owner can handle transactions alone (co-owners).
• Two names with “and” – both owners must sign forms or be present together (joint owners).

If there’s a lien on the vehicle, ownership changes require the lienholder’s involvement.

Frequently Asked Questions