Form 45-A at a glance
What it is: Form 45-A is the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles Application to Issue or Replace 45-Day Temporary Plates.
Who signs: Print the Name of Applicant and sign at SIGN as the Signature of Applicant.
Individual sellers cannot purchase traceable temporary plates. Individual buyers must purchase plates.
What to bring and attach to Form 45-A
For newly purchased vehicles, a copy of the Bill of Sale or assignment document must accompany this form.
The Bill of Sale or Title indicating the date of purchase must be carried in the vehicle while in operation.
A filled-in Form 45-A example: an original temporary plate for a purchased car
How to fill out Form 45-A, box by box
Section A: purchaser, address and residency
In Section A, required for all customers, enter the Purchaser's Name (Individual or Purchaser), the Date of Issuance, the Residence Address with City, State and Zip Code, and the Mailing Address ("if different from above") with City, State and Zip Code.
Under Please Check One, mark I am a South Carolina resident or I am an out-of-state resident.
Enter the Customer # or Driver's License # and the Phone Number.
The vehicle, the plate and its size
Enter the Year, Make, Vehicle Identification Number, Gross Vehicle Weight and DOT Number (if applicable).
Enter the Insurance Company and the Date of Sale, and mark Original Temporary Plate or Replacement Temporary Plate.
For the Replacement Reason, mark Defective or Lost/Stolen.
Mark *Regular Sized Plate or *Motorcycle Sized Plate. INTRASTATE COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES ONLY: *Large commercial motor vehicle owners operating their vehicle only within South Carolina may use a motorcycle-sized plate to be displayed inside the front, passenger windshield of the vehicle (Pursuant to SC Code §56-3-1240).
The donation
To donate, mark Yes, I wish to donate $5.00, more or less, to Donate Life S.C and enter the Amount of Donation (checked November 8, 2026).
Certification and signature
Print the Name of Applicant and sign at SIGN as the Signature of Applicant.
By signing, the applicant certifies that the information given in the application for a Temporary License Plate is true and correct.
More rules for Form 45-A
Temporary license plate and registration shall be valid for forty-five days from the date the vehicle is purchased.
Liability insurance coverage must be in force for at least the minimum amounts required by South Carolina law.
Temporary license plates cannot be used to test drive a vehicle or to operate a vehicle until it is sold.
Temporary license plates may not be recognized by other states.
Plate may not be placed upon vehicle until sale is complete.
No refunds are given for plates once purchased.
SECTION B is to be completed by SCDMV employees: Issued By and Office Number and Code.
Common questions about Form 45-A
Are there fees?
Fee paid: Original Temporary Plate $10.00 and Replacement Temporary Plate $10.00 (checked November 8, 2026).
Is there a penalty?
Under applicable state and federal law, incorrect or false information given may result in civil liability and civil or criminal penalties.
Sources
[1] Form 45-A (11/2024), South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (the Official source link on this page).
