Like most other motor vehicles, custom-built and antique vehicles must be properly registered and titled in the state of South Carolina. The process of registering an antique or custom-built vehicle is very similar to registering a regular vehicle. If you have brought an antique or custom-built vehicle into South Carolina for a first time registration, or if you have custom-assembled a vehicle in the State, you will be referred to a DMV Full Service Office near you.

WHAT ARE ANTIQUE AND CUSTOM BUILT VEHICLES?

• In South Carolina, an antique vehicle is defined as any motor vehicle that was manufactured at least twenty-five years ago and is used as a collector's item.
• The State defines a custom-built vehicle as any motor vehicle that is either homemade from raw materials or from kits, where the new vehicle is reconstructed to resemble an existing one.

HOW TO REGISTER AN ANTIQUE OR CUSTOM BUILT VEHICLE

You will have to visit a DMV Full Service Office near you to register your antique or custom-built vehicle. When registering a custom-built or antique vehicle, you will need to follow the same procedure that you would to register any motor vehicle. You must bring the following materials to the office:

1. A completed Affidavit of Homemade Vehicle.
2. A completed Application for Title and Registration for Motor Vehicle or Manufactured Home/Mobile Home.
3. The Certificate of Title or manufacturer's certificate of origin, for antique or custom vehicles that have already been titled. If these are not available, you can use a Salvage title.
4. Bills of Sale for all the parts that were used.
5. Proof of property tax payment.
6. An assigned VIN from the DMV, if the vehicle does not have one.
7. An Inspection report, certifying that the vehicle is safe to take on the road.

Note: You can also register your antique or custom-built vehicle by mail. You need to gather all the required paperwork mentioned above and along with the appropriate fees, mail it to:

South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0019    

FEES

When registering an antique or custom-built vehicle, you will be required to pay the appropriate Purchasing a New or Used Vehicle. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles accepts cash, money orders or checks.

RENEWING A CUSTOM-BUILT OR ANTIQUE VEHICLE REGISTRATION

Your custom-built or antique vehicle's registration will clearly indicate when it will expire. The process for renewing the registration on a custom or antique vehicle is the same as renewing the registration on a regular motor vehicle.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Auto Insurance is required for all custom vehicles operated in South Carolina.
• See also Title Transfers and Registering a Non-Custom Vehicle.