Does a Seller Remove License Plates in South Carolina
Yes, in South Carolina, the seller is required to remove the license plates from the vehicle when selling it. Here are the steps and key points related to this process:
1. Remove the License Plates
- The seller must remove the license plates from the vehicle before handing over the vehicle to the buyer.
- Once the plates are removed, the seller can either transfer them to a new vehicle or surrender them to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV).
For more details, visit the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) Plate Transfer Information.
2. Surrendering License Plates (If Not Transferring)
If the seller does not plan to transfer the license plates to another vehicle, they must surrender the plates to the SCDMV. This can be done in person at a local DMV office or by mailing them to the DMV.
For more information on how to surrender plates, you can check the SCDMV License Plate Surrender Guide.
3. Cancel Vehicle Insurance
After removing and surrendering the license plates, the seller should contact their insurance provider to cancel the vehicle’s insurance policy. It is essential to ensure that the vehicle is no longer insured under the seller’s name once the sale is finalized.
4. Finalizing the Title Transfer
In addition to removing the license plates, the seller must ensure that the vehicle’s title is correctly signed and transferred to the buyer. For more guidance on title transfers in South Carolina, visit the SCDMV Title Transfer Instructions.
By following these steps, sellers in South Carolina can properly handle the process of removing and surrendering license plates when selling a vehicle.
