Crashes, insurance and registration in South Carolina

By the end of this topic you can

• You can follow safe steps after a crash or breakdown.
• You can list the documents you must carry whenever you drive.
• You can explain why insurance must stay in force while a car is registered.
• You can describe the order for registering a car in South Carolina.

What you need to know and understand

• Carry your license or permit, the vehicle registration and a valid insurance card every time you drive, or you can be fined.
• Insurance must be liability coverage from a company licensed to do business in South Carolina.
• Turn in your South Carolina license plate to SCDMV before cancelling insurance; otherwise you could owe up to $400 in fees.
• South Carolina requires you to pay county property tax on a vehicle before SCDMV will register it.
• New residents must register their cars in South Carolina; SCDMV's fees page lists a one-time $250 fee for a vehicle previously registered in another state.
• False insurance certification and unpaid crash judgments are among the reasons a license can be suspended.
• You can add emergency contact details to your SCDMV record so officers can reach your family after a collision.

If you are in a crash

1. Stop. Never drive away from a crash you are involved in.
2. Turn on your hazard lights and, if the cars can be moved and no one is hurt, move them out of traffic.
3. Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked.
4. Exchange names, addresses, license numbers, plate numbers and insurance details with the other driver.
5. Note the location, time, weather and any witnesses, and take photos if it is safe.
6. Report the crash to police and your insurer. Reporting thresholds and forms are set by state law, so ask the investigating officer or SCDMV whether you must file a report yourself.

If your car breaks down

• Get the car off the road and away from traffic if you can.
• Turn on your emergency flashers.
• If you carry flares, place them about 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle.
• If the engine dies while moving, grip the wheel firmly, brake with steady pressure and steer off the road.
• Call for help from a safe place, away from passing traffic.

Insurance and registration

Every registered car in South Carolina must be insured, and the insurance card must be in the car. Minimum coverage amounts are set by state law; check the current figures with your insurer or the South Carolina Department of Insurance before you buy a policy, and ask about adding a teen driver.

To register a car, start with the county: the county auditor issues a property tax bill, you pay it at the county treasurer, then take the paid receipt and your title or previous registration to SCDMV. If you sell the car or move away, return the plate to SCDMV before cancelling your insurance.

Common mistakes

• Leaving the scene after a minor bump because the damage looks small.
• Standing beside the car on a busy road while waiting for help.
• Driving a family car without checking that the insurance card inside is current.
• Cancelling insurance before returning the plate, which can bring fees of up to $400.
• Going to SCDMV to register a car before paying the county property tax.

Test yourself: Crashes, insurance and registration in South Carolina

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• How to Get a Driver’s License in South Carolina
• Moving to South Carolina
• SC Permit Test Guide