Moped / Scooter registration
Moped / Scooter registration in South Carolina: the agency, the required documents, and the exact steps, sourced from South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV).
Who to contact
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV)
Visit the official South Carolina pageStep by step
Complete Application to Title and/or Register a Moped (SCDMV Form 400)
Provide proof of ownership and vehicle specifications
Pay the registration fee and Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF); receive a temporary plate, then a permanent plate by mail
What to bring
Fees & renewal
Fees
Not published on the official page as of September 2, 2026 — confirm the exact fee with South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV).
Renewal
Renews biennial.
Good to know
Mopeds must be registered and have a license plate; registration lasts two years. Titling is OPTIONAL (SC law does not require mopeds to be titled). An Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF, 5% of purchase price, max $500) applies if not collected at purchase.
More for South Carolina
General guidance
Whether a moped or scooter needs a plate at all usually comes down to engine size and top speed — states draw that line in different places, and some skip registration entirely below a certain threshold. Pick your state below for the sourced answer.
Most states define a "moped" by a maximum engine displacement or top speed, and anything above that line registers as a motorcycle instead. The threshold differs by state — the state guide below states it where the agency has published it.
Some states require a full plate and registration for any moped operated on a public road; others require only a decal, a lower-tier registration, or nothing at all below the engine-size threshold. Check the state guide below for the real requirement.
A number of states let a standard driver’s license cover a moped, while others require a motorcycle endorsement above a certain engine size. This guide covers registering the vehicle; confirm license requirements with your state’s driver-license division.
Common questions
Yes — South Carolina requires registration for this vehicle type. South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) handles it; see the steps above.
South Carolina lists a biennial renewal cadence for this vehicle type.
Not in every state — some states only require registration above a certain engine size or top speed, and treat smaller mopeds as exempt. Check the state guide below for the sourced threshold and requirement.
States typically draw the line by maximum engine displacement or top speed. If your scooter is above your state’s threshold, it usually registers under the motorcycle process instead — see the Motorcycle guide.