Form 400 at a glance
What it is: Form 400 is the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles Title and/or Registration Application.
Where and when to file: Applications are accepted at SCDMV branch offices or you can mail them to: SCDMV, 10311 Wilson Blvd., Blythewood, SC 29016-0038.
A filled-in Form 400 example: a used car from a dealer
How to fill out Form 400, box by box
Section 1, transaction type
Section 1 is required for all transactions.
Under Transaction Type, mark Title, Registration New, Plate Transfer, Record Lien, Duplicate Title or Lease. Under Special Vehicle Type (if applicable), mark Moped or Low Speed Vehicle. Expedite is for title transactions only, only in branch offices, with an additional $20.00 fee (checked October 21, 2026).
A record transfer on death must complete Form TOD-1.
Vehicle information
Enter the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), Make, Model and Year.
Enter the Empty Weight, the Moped - Engine CCs or Wattage and the Body Style, and mark Gas, Diesel, or Hybrid or Electric.
Owner and lessee information
Your complete name is required on all title and registration documents. Enter the New Primary Owner/Lessee Complete Legal Name (Last, First, Middle), Customer No., DL No., SSN, or FEIN, and Date of Birth.
Enter the New Co-Owner/Lessee Complete Legal Name (Last, First, Middle), Customer No., DL No., SSN, or FEIN, and Date of Birth, and mark Shared Ownership AND or OR.
Addresses and voter registration
Enter the Primary Owner's/Lessee Residence Address (Apt. No. if applicable), City, State, ZIP Code and County.
Enter the Mailing Address (if different), City, State, ZIP Code and County.
Update Voter Registration: unless you indicate otherwise, the addresses entered in the address boxes will be used by the State Election Commission to update your voter registration. To indicate otherwise, mark the box Do not update my residence address or the box Do not update my mailing address.
Enter the Address Where Vehicle Is Housed (if different), City, State, ZIP Code and County.
Enter the Phone Number, the Temporary Address (if applicable) and the Expiration of Temporary Address.
Leasing Company Information: complete only for a leased vehicle. Enter the Leasing Company Name, Phone Number, Contact Person, Customer Number, Address, City, State, ZIP Code and County.
Section 2, the odometer mileage
Section 2 is only required for title transactions.
Federal and state law requires that you state the mileage when transferring ownership.
Failure to complete or providing a false statement may result in fines and/or imprisonment.
The odometer now reads the mileage you enter (miles not kilometers, no tenths), which to the best of your knowledge reflects the actual mileage of the vehicle unless one of the following statements is checked.
Common mistake: Do not check one of the following unless it applies: Exempt; I certify that to the best of my knowledge the odometer reading reflects the amount of mileage in excess of its mechanical limits; I certify that the odometer reading is not the actual mileage. Warning odometer discrepancy.
Lien information
Lien Information: an ELT provider must include the ELT customer Number. For each lien, enter the Customer No. or FEIN, Lienholder Name (First Lien or Second Lien), Date of Lien, Contact Person, Phone Number, Mailing Address, City, State and ZIP Code.
Section 2 continued, prior title and tax
Section 2 - Continued: enter the Prior Title State, the Prior Title Number and the Date First Operated in SC.
Mark Yes or No for Energy Efficient Manufactured/Mobile Home?
Vehicles purchased from individuals and titled in South Carolina are subject to IMF or sales tax unless exempt.
The fee is 5% of the sales price up to a maximum of $500.00 (checked October 21, 2026).
Mobile homes are calculated differently.
Transferred vehicle or bonafide gift
Mark the box that applies. The vehicle was transferred from: my parent, my spouse, my child, my brother/sister, my grandparent, my grandchild.
The vehicle was transferred to me as: legal heir, beneficiary, distributee.
The boxes: I am active-duty Military; The vehicle was a bonafide gift.
Purchase information
Enter the Seller or Dealer Name, Address, City, State, ZIP Code, Dealer No., Sales Tax No., Date of Purchase, Sales Price, New or Used, Trade-In Amount and Trade-In Vehicle Identification Number.
Purchase Information: enter the Gross Capitalized Cost, the original cost of the vehicle not including taxes, interest, or cab customizing, which is used to calculate the road use fee for vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 26,001 lbs. or more. Leave blank if this does not apply to your vehicle.
Section 3, the plate and the insurance
Section 3 is only required for registration transactions.
Select the desired transaction: New Plate, Transfer Plate with the Plate Number to Transfer, or Exchange, and enter the New Plate Type.
Enter the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), or the New Gross Vehicle Weight to increase gross vehicle weight, and mark Commercial or Non-Commercial.
Enter the SSN or FEIN: it is required only for vehicles 26,000 lbs. or greater and bus common carriers, and the Department must obtain it when a vehicle is registered with a GVW of more than 26,000 pounds or a bus common carrier (SC Code §56-3-240).
A vehicle must be insured with liability insurance coverage through a company licensed to do business in South Carolina, when it is registered, and it must remain insured while registered.
Enter the Insurance Company with which this vehicle is insured.
Section 4, the donation and the signatures
Section 4 is required for all transactions.
Donate Life SC: mark Yes, I wish to donate $5.00, more or less, and enter the Amount of Donation (checked October 21, 2026).
Signature of Owner: I declare that I am the owner of this vehicle.
The vehicle is subject to the liens named and no others.
If registering a commercial vehicle over 10,000 lbs., I certify that I am familiar with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and/or Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations.
Under penalty of perjury, I certify all information provided is true and current.
Enter the Owner and the Date, and the Co-Owner and the Date.
Signature of owner(s) may be signed in ink by owner or authorized agent (attach power of attorney if applicable).
More rules for Form 400
Common mistake: No strikeovers, erasures (VIN / Odometer), correction tape, or correction fluid is acceptable on this form.
Rental companies and dealers
You are a short-term rental company or a dealer
The section for short-term rental companies and dealers is for companies and dealers only.
The vehicle is for: dealer resale; short-term rental use by a licensed dealer.
Common questions about Form 400
What is a SCDMV form 400?
Form 400 is the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles Title and/or Registration Application. The owner requests that a South Carolina certificate of title and/or registration be issued.
What documents do I need to transfer a car title in South Carolina?
Visit the SCDMV website www.scdmvonline.com for a complete list of required documents and fees.
Is there a deadline?
Failure to register within 45 days of the date of purchase or the date of operation in South Carolina will result in a penalty fee in addition to the regular title and/or registration fee(s).
Where do I file it?
Applications are accepted at SCDMV branch offices or you can mail them to: SCDMV, 10311 Wilson Blvd., Blythewood, SC 29016-0038.
Is there a penalty?
The late penalty fee schedule is as follows: 46 - 60 days late - $10.00; 61 - 75 days late - $25.00; 76 - 135 days late - $50.00; over 135 days late - $75.00 (checked October 21, 2026).
Sources
[1] Form 400 (Rev. 07/2025), Title and/or Registration Application, South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (the Official source link on this page).
