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Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia Truck Bill of Sale Requirements

BN
Reviewed against state DMV requirementsLast reviewed: April 20266 min readEditorial policy

Complete requirements checklist for a truck bill of sale in Columbia, South Carolina. Includes exact fees, notarization rules, and where to file at the SC SCDMV – Columbia Shop Road Office.

Fees, notarization rules, and filing addresses on this page are reviewed against 49 CFR Part 580 — Odometer Disclosure Requirements and the SC SCDMV – Columbia Shop Road Office. Source documents are cross-checked each quarter so Columbia buyers and sellers always see the current South Carolina truck bill of sale standard, not stale third-party summaries.

Title Transfer Fee

$15.00

Sales Tax Rate

9.00%

Notarization

Not Required

Required Fields — Columbia Truck Bill of Sale

All of the following must appear on a valid truck bill of sale in Columbia, South Carolina:

  • Full legal name and current address of seller
  • Full legal name and current address of buyer
  • Agreed sale price (in numerals and words)
  • Date of sale
  • Truck year, make, model, and body style
  • 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
  • Odometer reading at time of sale (federal disclosure required for most motor vehicles under 10 years old)
  • Signature of seller
  • Signature of buyer

Notarization in Columbia: Not Required

South Carolina does not require notarization for a truck bill of sale. South Carolina does not require notarization. Both parties simply sign and date the completed form in the presence of each other.

South Carolina Truck transfer fees and requirements

In South Carolina, the title transfer fee is $15 and registration costs $24 per year. Truck sales are subject to 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) capped at $500. South Carolina does not require notarization for private-party truck transfers. South Carolina does not require emission testing for private-party truck sales.

  • 5% IMF on vehicle purchases, capped at $500
  • Title transfer within 45 days of sale
  • Property tax must be paid before registration

South Carolina sales tax on truck purchases

South Carolina has a 5% state sales tax rate. 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF), capped at $500. Private-party truck sales in South Carolina are subject to sales tax. IMF applies to all vehicle sales, capped at $500 max. The title transfer fee is $15.

Truck market data and safety information

The most common truck makes in private-party sales are Ford, Chevrolet, RAM, Toyota, GMC. Average private-party truck prices range from $8,000–$55,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent truck models is 4 out of 5 stars. Trucks average 3.8 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Power Train, Fuel System, Steering.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used truck

Before completing a truck bill of sale in South Carolina, verify these safety items:

  • Inspect frame for rust — trucks used in salt-belt states often have hidden corrosion
  • Check 4WD/AWD transfer case engagement and operation
  • Verify towing package wiring and hitch receiver condition
  • Test tailgate mechanism and bed liner condition
  • Confirm trailer brake controller integration if equipped
  • Verify backup camera and parking sensors function correctly
  • Test tow/haul mode and check transmission cooler condition
  • Inspect cab corners and rocker panels for hidden rust

Truck insurance and depreciation in South Carolina

Full-size trucks cost 10–20% more to insure than sedans. Lifted trucks or diesel modifications may increase premiums further. Trucks hold value better than cars — full-size pickups retain 60–70% of value after 5 years. Diesel models retain the most. Peak season for private truck sales is late spring through summer when construction and outdoor activity demand rises, with an average of 18 days on market.

Truck registration and titling

Trucks are classified as "Light truck (under 8,500 lbs) or Medium truck (8,500–26,000 lbs)" for registration purposes. Trucks under 16,000 lbs GVWR follow passenger rules. Over 16,000 lbs GVWR triggers commercial vehicle requirements and federal odometer exemption. Federal odometer disclosure is required for trucks under 20 years old.

Truck title transfer rules

Truck title transfer requirements depend on weight class. Light-duty trucks (under 8,500 lbs GVWR) follow standard passenger vehicle rules. Medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks may require additional commercial documentation. The title lists the GVWR or weight class. Buyers should confirm the truck weight class matches the title to avoid registration surprises. Some states issue separate commercial titles for trucks over 10,000 lbs.

Odometer disclosure for truck sales

Trucks with a GVWR of 16,000 lbs or more are exempt from federal odometer disclosure under 49 CFR 580.17(a). Light-duty pickup trucks under that threshold require standard odometer disclosure if less than 20 years old.

  • Applicable law: 49 CFR 580.17(a) — Odometer exemption for vehicles over 16,000 lbs GVWR

Required disclosures for truck sales in South Carolina

When selling a truck in South Carolina, the following disclosures apply:

  • GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) should be documented — it determines odometer, registration, and licensing requirements.
  • Trucks over 8,500 lbs GVWR may require commercial plates in some states.
  • Diesel emission system (DEF/DPF) delete modifications are illegal under the Clean Air Act and should be disclosed.

South Carolina bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 1,283 bill of sale documents for South Carolina transactions, with 35 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Where to File — Columbia Title Office

Office

SC SCDMV – Columbia Shop Road Office

Address

1630 Shop Rd, Columbia, SC 29201

Phone

(803) 896-5000

Hours

Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM

Additional requirements in Richland County:

  • $500 max IMF fee instead of standard sales tax
  • Title transfer at SCDMV within 45 days
  • Seller must sign title
  • Property tax paid to Richland County

What to Bring to the SC DMV

  • 1Completed, signed truck bill of sale
  • 2Truck title signed over by seller on the back
  • 3Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
  • 4Payment for title transfer fee: $15.00
  • 5Payment for sales tax (9.00% of sale price)
  • 6Odometer disclosure statement (if not included on title)

FAQ — Truck Bill of Sale Requirements in Columbia

What are the required fields on a truck bill of sale in Columbia?
A valid truck bill of sale in Columbia, South Carolina must include both parties' full legal names and addresses, sale date, agreed sale price, VIN, year, make, model, and signatures of buyer and seller.
What is the title transfer fee for a truck in Columbia?
The title transfer fee in Richland County is $15.00. The truck sales tax rate is 9.00%. SC IMF fee $500 max on vehicle purchases
Is notarization required for a truck bill of sale in Columbia?
No. South Carolina does not require notarization.
Where do I file a truck title transfer in Columbia?
File the title transfer at the SC SCDMV – Columbia Shop Road Office, 1630 Shop Rd, Columbia, SC 29201. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (803) 896-5000.

Trusted by private vehicle sellers nationwide

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

$60–$85 mobile notary

Mobile notary visit minimums run $60–$85 — higher on weekends, plus per-mile travel fees. State-formatted documents skip the trip.

Source: Thumbtack / NNA