reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-2210. Definitions

(1) Unless otherwise specified, the terms used in this article have the same meaning as those terms defined in 49 C.F.R. 40.3.
(2) For purposes of this article, "employer" includes all motor carriers or employers who employ drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles and who are required to have a drug and alcohol testing program pursuant to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, 49 C.F.R. 382, or to a consortium to which the carrier or employer belongs and consortiums or third party administrators who perform drug and alcohol testing services pursuant to 49 C.F.R. 382 for an owner-operator.
(3) For purposes of this article, "employee" includes a person holding a resident or nonresident commercial motor vehicle driver's license employed by an employer described in subsection (2) who performs a safety sensitive function, or an owner-operator subject to testing by a consortium or third party administrator who performs drug and alcohol testing services pursuant to 49 C.F.R. 382.
(4) For purposes of this article, "applicant" means a person holding a resident or nonresident commercial motor vehicle driver's license seeking employment with an employer described in subsection (2) who will perform a safety sensitive function as part of his employment.
HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 232, Section 1, eff May 21, 2008.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-2220. Providing and testing specimens; reports of refusal to provide and results of tests to employer and department; records; admissibility of test results.

(A) All employers shall report to the Department of Motor Vehicles within three business days a refusal by an employee or applicant made to the employer to provide a specimen for a drug or alcohol test under circumstances that constitute the refusal of a test under 49 C.F.R. 40.
(B) All medical review officers or breath alcohol technicians hired by or under contract to an employer shall report to the employer within three business days:
(1) a verified positive drug test or positive alcohol confirmation test of an employee or applicant;
(2) a refusal by an employee or applicant to provide a specimen for a drug or alcohol test under circumstances that constitute the refusal of a test under 49 C.F.R. 40; or
(3) the submission of an adulterated specimen, a diluted positive specimen, or a substituted specimen by an employee or applicant.
(C) Employers shall make it a written condition of their contract or agreement with a medical review officer or breath alcohol technician, regardless of the state where the medical review officer or breath alcohol technician is located, that the medical review officer or breath alcohol technician is required to report to the employer the information required by subsection (B).
(D) Upon receipt of the notification from a medical review officer or a breath alcohol technician, employers shall report to the department within three business days:
(1) a verified positive drug test or positive alcohol confirmation test of an employee or applicant;
(2) a refusal by an employee or applicant made to a medical review officer or breath alcohol technician to provide a specimen for a drug or alcohol test under circumstances that constitute the refusal of a test under 49 C.F.R. 40; or
(3) the submission of an adulterated specimen, a diluted positive specimen, or a substituted specimen by an employee or applicant.
(E) The notification required by this section must be made in a manner approved by the department and must include on the notification submitted to the department a coding method that indicates whether the person who is the subject of the notification is an employee or applicant.
(F) An employer must maintain a record of the notification to the department on each employee or applicant for three years.
(G) The records required by this section are subject to inspection by the Department of Public Safety.
(H) Evidence included in a person's motor vehicle record that indicates the person tested positive on a drug or alcohol confirmation test, refused to submit to a drug or alcohol confirmation test, or submitted a diluted or adulterated specimen is not admissible in any action unless probative to demonstrate that the person was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of an accident that is the subject of the action.
HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 232, Section 1, eff May 21, 2008.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-2230. Failure to report and employing disqualified employee; fines.

(A) An employer, medical review officer, or breath alcohol technician who knowingly fails to make a report to the Department of Motor Vehicles as required by this article is subject to a fine of up to five hundred dollars.
(B) An employer who employs a person in a safety sensitive function when the employer knows the employee is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle pursuant to Section 56-1-2110(G) is subject to a fine of up to two thousand dollars.
(C) The penalties provided by this section do not apply to the State, a state agency, or a political subdivision.
(D) Any person or entity is immune from liability for the good faith performance of any duty imposed by this article.
(E) Fines collected pursuant to this section must be credited to the Department of Public Safety's Transport Police Division.
HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 232, Section 1, eff May 21, 2008.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-3360. Misuse of card prohibited.

It is unlawful for any person to:
(1) alter a special identification card so as to provide false information on the card or to sell or issue a fictitious special identification card;
(2) use a special identification card not issued to the person, an altered special identification card, or a special identification card containing false information to defraud another or violate the law;
(3) to lend his special identification card to any person or knowingly permit its use by another.
Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
HISTORY: 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1357.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-3370. Size, shape, design, photograph; card to be distinguishable from driver's license.

The special identification card issued pursuant to this article shall be similar in size, shape, and design to a motor vehicle driver's license, including an unobstructed photograph of the person to whom it is issued. Provided, however, that the card shall be readily distinguishable from a driver's license by a difference in color, and there shall be printed on the face of such card a statement that the card does not enable the person to whom it is issued to operate a motor vehicle.
HISTORY: 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1357; 2022 Act No. 148 (H.4319), Section 5, eff May 11, 2022.
Effect of Amendment
2022 Act No. 148, Section 5, in the first sentence, substituted "an unobstructed photograph" for "a color photograph".
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-3380. Information submitted in application for card confidential; exceptions.

Any information obtained from an application for the issuance, renewal, or replacement of a special identification card shall be confidential and shall not be divulged to any person, association, corporation or organization, public or private, except to the legal guardian or attorney of the applicant, or to a person, association, corporation or organization named in writing by the applicant, his legal guardian or his attorney. Provided, however, that this restriction shall not prevent furnishing the application or any information thereon to a law enforcement agency.
HISTORY: 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1357.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-3400. False or fictitious information or fraud a violation.

Any person who shall use a false or fictitious name or give a fictitious address in any application for an identification card or renewal thereof, or knowingly make a false statement or conceal a material fact or otherwise commit a fraud in any such application, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months.
HISTORY: 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1357.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 2 - Specialized Vehicles › Section 56-2-100. Conditions for operation on street or highway.

(A) A low speed vehicle may be operated only on a highway for which the posted speed limit is thirty-five miles an hour or less.
(B) A low speed vehicle may cross a highway at an intersection where the highway has a posted speed limit of more than thirty-five miles an hour.
(C) A low speed vehicle must meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 500 (Part 49 Section 571.500 of the Code of Federal Regulations) at all times when operated on any highway. A low speed vehicle that complies with the equipment requirements in 49 C.F.R. Section 571.500 complies with all equipment requirements of this title.
(D) Nothing in this section prevents local governments from adopting more stringent local ordinances governing low speed vehicle operation.
(E) A county or municipality may prohibit the operation of low speed vehicles on any street or highway if the governing body of the county or municipality determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
(F) The Department of Transportation may prohibit the operation of low speed vehicles on any street or highway if it determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
(G) A farm vehicle, as defined in Section 56-1-2070(C)(2), is not a low speed vehicle for the purposes of this article.
HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 170, Section 2, eff 6 months after approval by the Governor (approved June 7, 2005); 2012 Act No. 264, Section 10, eff June 18, 2012.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 2 - Specialized Vehicles › Section 56-2-110. Driver's license and registration card.

A person operating a low speed vehicle must be at least sixteen years of age and shall hold a valid driver's license. The operator of a low speed vehicle being operated on a highway must have in his possession:
(1) the registration card issued by the department or the registration card issued by the state in which the low speed vehicle is registered; and
(2) his driver's license.
HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 170, Section 2, eff 6 months after approval by the Governor (approved June 7, 2005).
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 2 - Specialized Vehicles › Section 56-2-120. Title requirement; title applications by nonresidents; license plates.

(A) A low speed vehicle must be titled as specified in this title. The manufacturer's or importer's certificate of origin must identify clearly the vehicle as a low speed vehicle and must certify that the vehicle was manufactured in compliance with the equipment requirements for low speed vehicles in 49 C.F.R. Section 571.500. The State shall not issue vehicle identification numbers to homemade low speed vehicles, retrofitted golf carts, or any other similar vehicles, and these vehicles shall not qualify as low speed vehicles in this State.
(B) If the vehicle is owned by a nonresident, but is subject to issuance of a certificate of title in this State, the application must also contain his:
(1) full legal name, social security number, or, if the primary user does not have a social security number but has a passport, his passport number;
(2) driver's license number, whether the license was issued by this State or another jurisdiction;
(3) date of birth;
(4) bona fide principal residence address;
(5) address in this State where the low speed vehicle will be housed and used; and
(6) mailing address of the primary user of the vehicle. If the primary user is a firm, association, or corporation, the application must contain the business address and federal employer identification number of the primary user.
(C) A low speed vehicle must be registered and licensed in the same fashion as passenger vehicles pursuant to this title and is subject to the same insurance requirements applicable to other motor vehicles under this title.
(D) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall establish a special size and class of license plate for low speed vehicles that clearly identifies the vehicle as a low speed vehicle.
HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 170, Section 2, eff 6 months after approval by the Governor (approved June 7, 2005).
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 2 - Specialized Vehicles › Section 56-2-130. Dealer licensing.

A person engaged in the wholesale or retail sale of low speed vehicles must comply with the motor vehicle dealer licensing laws of this State as specified in this title.
HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 170, Section 2, eff 6 months after approval by the Governor (approved June 7, 2005).
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 2 - Specialized Vehicles › Section 56-2-2740. Refusal to renew license and registration for non-payment of property tax; biennial plates; validation and revalidation decals; fees.

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles must refuse to renew the driver's license and motor vehicle registration of a person who has not paid personal property taxes within the time limits prescribed in this chapter. A county treasurer or municipal clerk treasurer must forward notification to the department of persons violating the provisions of this chapter. Notification of individuals violating this chapter must be forwarded to the department in the time and manner determined by the department for the proper administration of this section.
(B) The department shall issue biennial license plates and revalidation decals. The department may enter into contracts with persons, corporations, or governmental subdivisions to issue license plates and revalidation decals. The department, person, corporation, or governmental subdivision shall give a motor vehicle owner a license plate or revalidation decal for the tax year for which personal property taxes and biennial fees have been paid pursuant to Section 56-3-253.
(C) All validation decals must be issued for a period not to exceed twelve months, except for vehicles which do not require the payment of property taxes.
(D) A person or corporation that issues license plates or revalidation decals pursuant to this section may charge a fee in excess of the fee charged by the department.
(E) A governmental subdivision that issues license plates or revalidation decals pursuant to this section may charge a one-dollar fee to defray the expenses associated with the issuance of license plates and revalidation decals.
(F) The department shall supervise the provision of services contained in this section.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 459, Section 129; 1997 Act No. 40, Section 1; 2003 Act No. 51, Section 15; 2017 Act No. 89 (H.3247), Section 9, eff November 19, 2018.
Effect of Amendment
2017 Act No. 89, Section 9, in (C), added ", except for vehicles which do not require the payment of property taxes".
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 2 - Specialized Vehicles › Section 56-2-3000. Valid moped operator's license required.

A person operating a moped on a public highway at all times must have in his possession a valid moped operator's license or valid driver's license and moped registration.
HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 89 (H.3247), Section 10, eff November 19, 2018.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 2 - Specialized Vehicles › Section 56-2-3010. Moped registration required; special moped license plates; insurance; taxes.

(A) A moped operated on a public highway must be registered and licensed with the department in the same fashion as passenger vehicles pursuant to this title.
(B) The department shall establish for mopeds a special size and class of license plates with distinctive numbering and/or lettering so as to be identifiable to law enforcement.
(C) Mopeds are not required to be titled or insured in this State.
(D) Mopeds are exempt from ad valorem property taxes in this State.
(E) If a manufacturer's certificate of origin states the vehicle is a "motor scooter", "motor-driven cycle", or any similar term, the definitions of "motorcycle" and "moped", as shown in Section 56-1-10, must be used to determine whether the vehicle must be registered as a moped or must be titled and registered as a motorcycle.
HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 89 (H.3247), Section 10, eff November 19, 2018.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 2 - Specialized Vehicles › Section 56-2-3020. Mopeds of nonresidents.

(A) A privately owned and operated moped of a nonresident, otherwise subject to registration and license as provided by this chapter, may be operated within this State without being registered and licensed provided that the moped:
(1) is duly registered or licensed in the state, territory, district, or country of residence of the owner; and
(2) has displayed or issued a valid registration, registration card, license plate or decal, or other indicia satisfactorily evidencing compliance with the requirements of the owner's home jurisdiction.
(B) The moped of a nonresident must be registered and licensed pursuant to this chapter upon the earlier of a nonresident's:
(1) establishment of domicile in this State; or
(2) operation of the moped in this State for an accumulated period exceeding one hundred and eighty days.
HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 89 (H.3247), Section 10, eff November 19, 2018.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 2 - Specialized Vehicles › Section 56-2-3030. Application for registration and licensing of mopeds.

An owner of a moped required to be registered in this State must make application to the department for the registration and licensing of the moped. The application must be made upon the appropriate form furnished by the department. Every application must bear the signature of the owner.
HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 89 (H.3247), Section 10, eff November 19, 2018.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 2 - Specialized Vehicles › Section 56-2-3040. Application requirements.

(A) An application for registration and licensing of a moped must contain:
(1) the name, bona fide residence and mailing address of the owner or business address of the owner if a firm, association or corporation;
(2) a description of the moped including, insofar as this exists with respect to a given moped, the make, model, type of body, serial number or other identifying number, whether the vehicle is new or used, and the date of sale by the manufacturer or seller to the person intending to operate the moped; and
(3) other information that reasonably may be required by the department to enable the department to determine whether the moped is lawfully entitled to registration and licensing.
(B) The application shall be accompanied by a bill of sale and a vehicle registration certificate, manufacturer's certificate of origin, or an affidavit from the applicant certifying that he is the legal and rightful owner of the moped. The documentation provided must list the vehicle specifications, including the total cubic centimeters of the engine or wattage of the engine, as applicable.
HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 89 (H.3247), Section 10, eff November 19, 2018.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 2 - Specialized Vehicles › Section 56-2-3050. Title issued with moped registration.

The department, at the request of the owner, may issue a title for the moped in conjunction with the moped registration, provided that the owner makes application for title on the appropriate form and provides the department with a manufacturer's certificate of origin or a prior title. If an owner cannot provide a manufacturer's statement of origin or prior title, the moped may be registered, but not titled.
HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 89 (H.3247), Section 10, eff November 19, 2018.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 2 - Specialized Vehicles › Section 56-2-3060. Penalties.

(A) A person is guilty of a misdemeanor who:
(1) fraudulently uses or gives a false or fictitious name or address in an application required to be made under this article;
(2) knowingly makes a false statement in an application; or
(3) knowingly conceals a material fact in an application.
(B) A person who operates or an owner who permits the operation of a vehicle registered and licensed under a violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.
HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 89 (H.3247), Section 10, eff November 19, 2018.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 2 - Specialized Vehicles › Section 56-2-3070. Moped operation.

(A) A person may not ride upon a moped other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached to the moped. A moped may not be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped by the manufacturer to carry.
(B) A moped, while traveling along a multilane highway, must be operated in the farthest right lane except when making a left turn or when travel in the farthest right lane is unsafe.
(C) A person under the age of twenty-one may not operate or ride upon a moped unless he wears a protective helmet identical to underage motorcycle helmet requirements provided in Section 56-5-3660.
(D) A person may not operate a moped at a speed in excess of thirty-five miles per hour.
(E) A person may not operate a moped on a public highway that has a speed limit of greater than fifty-five miles per hour. A person operating a moped may cross an intersection at a public highway that has a speed limit of greater than fifty-five miles per hour.
(F) The operator of a moped must have turned on and in operation the operational lights and the headlight at all times while the moped is in operation.
(G) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.
HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 89 (H.3247), Section 10, eff November 19, 2018.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 2 - Specialized Vehicles › Section 56-2-3080. Requirements for selling, leasing, or renting mopeds; penalties.

(A) It is unlawful for a person in the business of selling, leasing or renting mopeds to sell, lease or rent a moped for use on the public highways of this State without:
(1) operable pedals, if the moped is equipped with pedals;
(2) at least one rearview mirror;
(3) operable headlights and running lights; and
(4) brake lights which are operable when either brake is deployed.
(B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.
HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 89 (H.3247), Section 10, eff November 19, 2018.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 2 - Specialized Vehicles › Section 56-2-3090. Law governing operation of mopeds posted in seller's place of business.

A person selling mopeds shall post, in a conspicuous place in his business, a sign that contains a brief explanation of the provisions of law governing the operation of mopeds, including, but not limited to, age restrictions, maximum speeds, and the definition of a moped.
HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 89 (H.3247), Section 10, eff November 19, 2018.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 2 - Specialized Vehicles › Section 56-2-3100. Moped seller not required to obtain motor vehicle dealer's license.

A person or entity selling mopeds is not required to obtain a motor vehicle dealer's license.
HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 89 (H.3247), Section 10, eff November 19, 2018.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 2 - Specialized Vehicles › Section 56-2-4000. Violations of chapter; penalties.

It is a misdemeanor for any person to violate any of the provisions of this chapter unless such violation is by this chapter or other law of this State declared to be a felony. A person convicted of a misdemeanor for a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter for which another penalty is not provided shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days.
HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 89 (H.3247), Section 11, eff November 19, 2018.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 3 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing › Section 56-3-110. Vehicles required to be registered and licensed.

Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer and special mobile equipment vehicle driven, operated or moved upon a highway in this State shall be registered and licensed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to drive, operate or move upon a highway or for the owner knowingly to permit to be driven, operated or moved upon a highway any such vehicle which is not registered and licensed and the required fee paid as provided for in this chapter.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-11; 1952 Code Section 46-11; 1949 (46) 342.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 3 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing › Section 56-3-115. Deaf or hard of hearing notation added to a motor vehicle registration.

The Department of Motor Vehicles may add a notation to a private passenger-carrying motor vehicle registration to indicate that the driver may be deaf or hard of hearing. The application for this special motor vehicle registration notation must include an original certificate from a licensed physician, as defined in Section 40-47-20, or licensed audiologist, as defined in Section 40-67-220, that certifies that the applicant has a permanent, uncorrectable hearing loss of forty decibels or more in one or both ears. The "deaf or hard of hearing" notation would only appear when a law enforcement check is run on the vehicle's license plate through the department's online interface with law enforcement to alert the officer that the driver may be deaf or hard of hearing.
HISTORY: 2020 Act No. 125 (H.3357), Section 1, eff March 24, 2021.
Code Commissioner's Note
At the direction of the Code Commissioner, the reference in the second sentence to Section 40-47-5 was corrected to reference Section 40-47-20.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 3 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing › Section 56-3-130. Exemption of certain boat, farm, and other utility trailers.

Boat trailers under twenty-five hundred pounds, farm trailers and other utility trailers which are privately owned and not for hire need not be licensed or registered.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-35.4; 1952 Code Section 46-35; 1949 (46) 342; 1959 (51) 391; 1973 (58) 379.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 3 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing › Section 56-3-140. Exemption of certain professional racing cars.

Professional racing cars not operated under their own power but towed by another vehicle going to or from a race track need not be registered or licensed.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-35.5; 1962 (52) 1738.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 3 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing › Section 56-3-160. Foreign vehicles of resident owners.

Every foreign vehicle moved into this State the owner of which is a resident of this State immediately becomes liable for registration and license under the provisions of this chapter, and for the purpose of this section, the term "resident of this State" shall include every person who moves temporarily or permanently into this State for the purpose of engaging in any business, profession or employment.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-102; 1952 Code Section 46-102; 1949 (46) 342.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 3 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing › Section 56-3-170. Reciprocity with respect to the operation of vehicles licensed out of state.

Notwithstanding any provisions of this chapter, the Department of Motor Vehicles may grant to any other state, country, territory or district reciprocity with respect to the operation of any vehicles in this State without being registered and licensed under the provisions of this chapter if such other state, country, territory or district extends under its laws, rules and regulations like privileges to vehicles registered and licensed in this State, subject to the conditions that every such vehicle is at all times, when operated in this State, duly registered or licensed in such state, territory, district or country in accordance with the lawful requirements of such state, country, territory or district and that there is displayed thereon a valid registration card and registration or license plate or plates.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-103; 1952 Code Section 46-103; 1949 (46) 342; 1959 (51) 391.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 3 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing › Section 56-3-180. Special permits to operate vehicles otherwise required to be registered and licensed; restrictions.

Section effective until January 18, 2024.
The department may issue in writing special permits to operate vehicles otherwise required to be registered and licensed under this chapter when the vehicles do not display the required current license plate or plates or registration cards. A special permit issued pursuant to this section, shall specify the date on which the permit expires, and must be carried at all times on the vehicle authorized to be operated.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-13; 1952 Code Section 46-13; 1949 (46) 342; 2012 Act No. 107, Section 1, eff February 1, 2012.
Editor's Note
2023 Act No. 51, Sections 30 and 40(C)(1), provide as follows:
"SECTION 30. Section 56-3-180 of the S.C. Code is repealed."
"[SECTION 40.](C)(1) SECTIONS 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 30, 31, 32, and 33 take effect eight months after the approval by the Governor, provided that necessary solicitations are awarded in a timely manner in accordance with the State Consolidated Procurement Code."
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 3 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing › Section 56-3-190. Department may register and license vehicles.

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may register and license vehicles as required by this chapter upon application being made therefor by the owner and the required fees paid as provided in this chapter.
(B) If a commercial motor vehicle is registered through the International Registration Plan and is operated under a United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) number assigned to a person other than the vehicle's owner, then the person to whom the USDOT number is assigned may register the commercial motor vehicle by submitting the appropriate application and fees to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-14; 1952 Code Section 46-14; 1949 (46) 342; 2021 Act No. 37 (H.3689), Section 3, eff May 6, 2021.
Effect of Amendment
2021 Act No. 37, Section 3, inserted the (A) designator, and added (B).
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 3 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing › Section 56-3-195. Counties to process vehicle registration and licensing renewals; access to records; department to fund startup costs.

Text of (A) effective until July 1, 2024.
(A) Beginning on July 1, 1994, each county shall mail motor vehicle registration and licensing renewal notices to the owners of vehicles in the county as determined by the Department of Motor Vehicles no later than forty-five days before expiration of the registration. The renewal notices, including the fees upon completion, may be returned to that county which shall transmit the renewal notices to the department for processing and which shall transmit the fees to the appropriate state fund as provided by law within seven days of receipt.
Text of (A) effective July 1, 2024.
(A) Each county shall mail motor vehicle registration and licensing renewal notices to the owners of vehicles in the county as determined by the Department of Motor Vehicles no later than forty-five days before expiration of the registration. The renewal notices, including the fees upon completion, may be returned to that county which shall transmit the renewal notices to the department for processing and which shall transmit the fees to the appropriate state fund as provided by law within seven days of receipt. The owner of a large commercial motor vehicle, as defined in Section 12-37-2810(C), must establish an account with the Department of Motor Vehicles and must remit payment for all fees associated with registration and licensing renewal directly to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
(B) Each county shall have access to the motor vehicle registration and licensing records of the department as applicable to the county in the manner the county and department agree for the purpose of the county performing the functions required in subsection (A).
(C) Counties must not be charged online access network fees for driver and vehicle information.
(D) The department will fund the start-up costs for counties not to exceed a total of one million dollars inclusive to all counties. The start-up cost includes hardware, software, training, and other associated costs all of which must be approved by the department.
HISTORY: 1993 Act No. 164, Part II, Section 22A; 2021 Act No. 37 (H.3689), Section 4.A, eff July 1, 2024.
Editor's Note
2021 Act No. 37, Section 4.B, provides as follows:
"[SECTION 4.]B. This SECTION takes effect on the first day of the fiscal year that begins twenty-four months after the program is fully funded."
The program was fully funded as of July 1, 2022.
Effect of Amendment
2021 Act No. 37, Section 4.A, in (A), in the first sentence, substituted "Each county" for "Beginning on July 1, 1994, each county", and added the third sentence.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 3 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing › Section 56-3-200. Certificate of title or application as prerequisite to registration.

Except in the case of a moped or as otherwise provided for in Chapter 19 of this title, the department shall not register or renew the registration of a vehicle unless a certificate of title has been issued by the department to the owner or an application has been delivered by the owner to the department.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-14.1; 1957 (50) 595; 2017 Act No. 89 (H.3247), Section 13, eff November 19, 2018.
Effect of Amendment
2017 Act No. 89, Section 13, substituted "Except in the case of a moped" for "Except" and "department" for "Department of Motor Vehicles", and made nonsubstantive changes.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 3 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing › Section 56-3-211. Temporary license plates for items registered in a foreign jurisdiction and farm trucks harvesting and transporting seasonal crops.

Section effective January 18, 2024.
The department, licensed dealers, leasing companies, and other entities may issue temporary license plates to operate any item that is purchased in this State that may be registered in a foreign jurisdiction and farm trucks registered in another jurisdiction that are harvesting and transporting seasonal crops. Temporary license plates issued pursuant to this section must meet all standards specified in Section 56-3-210.
HISTORY: 2023 Act No. 51 (S.549), Section 9, eff January 18, 2024.
Editor's Note
2023 Act No. 51, Section 40(C)(1), provides as follows:
"[SECTION 40.](C)(1) SECTIONS 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 30, 31, 32, and 33 take effect eight months after the approval by the Governor, provided that necessary solicitations are awarded in a timely manner in accordance with the State Consolidated Procurement Code."
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 3 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing › Section 56-3-213. Issuance of special permits.

Section effective January 18, 2024.
(A) The department may issue solely to South Carolina residents, as proven by showing their driver's license or identification card issued by the department, special permits to operate any item otherwise required to be registered under this title when the item does not display the required license plate or registration card. In the case of a newly acquired vehicle, the department may issue a special permit pursuant to this section only when it has reason to believe that a person has made all attempts to appropriately register the item within the forty-five days of acquiring the vehicle. The department retains the authority to issue special permits at other times when extenuating circumstances exist. Special permits issued pursuant to this section must be valid for no more than forty-five days and must be affixed to the rear of the item in an unobscured and secure manner to operate. The department is the only entity authorized to provide a special permit pursuant to this section. There is no fee for special permits issued pursuant to this section.
(B) The provisions of this section do not apply to items registered in a foreign jurisdiction or used for corporate research and development.
HISTORY: 2023 Act No. 51 (S.549), Section 11, eff January 18, 2024.
Editor's Note
2023 Act No. 51, Section 40(C)(1), provides as follows:
"[SECTION 40.](C)(1) SECTIONS 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 30, 31, 32, and 33 take effect eight months after the approval by the Governor, provided that necessary solicitations are awarded in a timely manner in accordance with the State Consolidated Procurement Code."
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 3 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing › Section 56-3-215. Temporary permits authorized for out-of-state registered farm trucks harvesting and transporting seasonal crops in State.

Section effective until January 18, 2024.
The Department of Motor Vehicles shall be authorized to issue special permits to owners of farm trucks registered and licensed in another state which special permits shall authorize the operation of such trucks in this State for a period of forty-five days without the requirement that such trucks be registered and licensed in this State.
Trucks eligible for these special permits shall be those which are brought into this State on a short-term temporary basis for the sole purpose of harvesting and transporting seasonal crops to other locations both within and without South Carolina. The Department in its sole discretion shall determine what farm trucks qualify for these special permits and may require such proof as it deems necessary of the usage of trucks to which special permits shall apply.
The Department shall prescribe the form of such permit (including the permit application) and shall be displayed or kept in the truck at all times during the exemption period. The Department shall not issue a special permit to any owner unless he first furnishes evidence of motor vehicle liability insurance in at least the minimum amounts required by law in South Carolina. The fee for each permit shall be one-tenth of the annual fee required for trucks of the same weight. Only one permit for a particular truck shall be issued in any one calendar year.
The Department shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this section.
HISTORY: 1981 Act No. 177, Section 14.
Editor's Note
2023 Act No. 51, Sections 31 and 40(C)(1), provide as follows:
"SECTION 31. Section 56-3-215 of the S.C. Code is repealed."
"[SECTION 40.](C)(1) SECTIONS 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 30, 31, 32, and 33 take effect eight months after the approval by the Governor, provided that necessary solicitations are awarded in a timely manner in accordance with the State Consolidated Procurement Code."
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 3 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing › Section 56-3-230. Application for registration and license.

Every owner of a vehicle subject to registration and for which a license is required shall make application to the Department of Motor Vehicles for the registration and licensing of the vehicle upon the appropriate forms furnished by the department. Every application must bear the signature of the owner.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-16; 1952 Code Section 46-16; 1949 (46) 342; 1994 Act No. 497, Part II, Section 121I.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 3 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing › Section 56-3-250. Statement certifying payment of county and municipal taxes and address to accompany application; exceptions.

No vehicle shall be registered and licensed by the department unless a signed statement accompanies the application certifying that all county and municipal taxes legally due by the applicant on the vehicle concerned have been paid and if such vehicle is legally subject to being returned by the applicant for county and municipal taxes such return has been made; that the applicant is not delinquent in the payment of any motor vehicle taxes in this State, and that the address and county shown on the application for license is the true legal residence of the applicant. A transfer between members of the same family shall not, for the purpose of this section, be considered a bona fide purchase. Any person falsely certifying as required in this section shall have his driver's license suspended for a period of six months.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to mopeds or to any citizen of this State on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States when the vehicle to be registered and licensed is operated for more than six months each year outside the boundaries of this State, nor to any motor vehicle subject to assessment for ad valorem tax purposes by the Department of Revenue.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-17.1; 1956 (49) 1697; 1961 (52) 160; 1962 (52) 1966; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1360; 2017 Act No. 89 (H.3247), Section 14, eff November 19, 2018.
Effect of Amendment
2017 Act No. 89, Section 14, in the first paragraph, substituted "department" for "Department of Motor Vehicles"; and in the second paragraph, inserted "mopeds or to", and substituted "Department of Revenue" for "State Tax Commission".
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 3 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing › Section 56-3-253. Establishment of biennial registration periods.

(A) Vehicles required by Chapter 3 of Title 56 to be registered biennially must be assigned registration periods as provided in this section.
(1) Upon the first reregistration of the vehicles by the Department of Motor Vehicles after the effective date of the implementation of biennial licensure, a biennial registration period must be implemented as follows:
(a) Vehicles whose license plates end in:
(i) an even number and expire between July 1, 1993, and December 31, 1993, shall obtain a biennial registration;
(ii) an even number and expire between January 1, 1994, and June 30, 1994, shall reregister their vehicles for one year. At the end of this time they shall reregister their vehicles for two years and biennially after that time;
(iii) an odd number and expire between July 1, 1993, and December 31, 1993, shall register their vehicles for one year. At the end of that time they shall reregister their vehicles for two years and biennially after that time;
(iv) an odd number and expire between January 1, 1994, and June 30, 1994, shall obtain a biennial registration;
(v) all special license plates must obtain a biennial registration upon renewal, except that official plates such as Legislative, Judicial, Commission, and Congressional must be renewed annually for one-half the biennial fee.
(2) Registrations are valid until the last day of the month in which the registration expires.
(B) After June 30, 1994, vehicles must be registered and licensed for twenty-four consecutive months, and registrations expire the last day of the month. The registration and license must be renewed biennially upon application by the owner and payment of fees required by law to take effect on the first day of the month following the expiration of the registration and license to be renewed. This section does not prevent the department from refusing to license a vehicle.
(C) The department shall not issue a refund of the biennial registration fee to a person who has paid the fee and moves out of the State during the biennial registration period.
HISTORY: 1993 Act No. 164, Part II, Section 22A; 1998 Act No. 419, Part II, Section 21.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 3 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing › Section 56-3-255. Requirement of evidence of payment of federal use tax.

The Department of Motor Vehicles shall require evidence of the payment of the use tax imposed by Section 4481 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 prior to issuing vehicle registration and plates for those vehicles for which the taxes are required.
HISTORY: 1984 Act No. 512, Part II, Section 75; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1361.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 3 - Motor Vehicle Registration And Licensing › Section 56-3-350. Grounds for refusing to register and license or transfer registration of vehicle.

The Department of Motor Vehicles shall refuse to register and license or transfer registration upon one or more of the following grounds:
(1) The application contains a false or fraudulent statement or the applicant has not furnished required information or reasonable additional information requested by the department.
(2) The vehicle is mechanically unfit or unsafe to be operated or moved upon the highways.
(3) The department has reasonable ground to believe the vehicle is stolen or the registration and licensing or transfer is a fraud against the rightful owner of the vehicle.
(4) The registration and license of the vehicle is canceled, suspended, or revoked as provided in this chapter or other motor vehicle laws of this State.
(5) The required fee has not been paid.
(6) For a vehicle purchased outside this State, satisfactory evidence of payment of the South Carolina use tax has not been presented.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-18; 1952 Code Section 46-18; 1949 (46) 342; 1969 (56) 444; 1993 Act No. 164, Part II, Section 22B.