South Carolina · H.3856 / Act 115

DMV changes now in effect (H.3856, Act 115): 60-day temporary tags, veterans' parking-meter exemption repealed, electronic titles

Published October 18, 2026 · Last updated October 18, 2026

What it does

The act amends many sections of Title 56 (motor vehicles) of the S.C. Code. The changes most likely to affect everyday drivers are below; business and licensing changes follow. (Act No. 115, title)

• Temporary plates: up to 60 days. “All temporary license plates must be valid for no more than sixty days.” (Act Section 13, § 56-3-210(L)) The Senate committee amendment that added this change struck “forty-five” and inserted “sixty.” (Senate Transportation Committee amendment)
• Parking-meter exemption repealed. The act repeals Section 56-5-2585. (Act Section 14) That section said: “Disabled veterans and recipients of the Purple Heart are exempt from the payment of municipal parking meter fees when their vehicles bear a disabled veteran’s or Purple Heart license plate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.” (S.C. Code § 56-5-2585, as printed in the online Code)
• Blood type on ID cards. A person applying for a special identification card may voluntarily have their blood type shown, using a DMV form that includes a certification from a physician or medical provider. Blood type is shown by a symbol on the card and kept in the driver’s record. (Act Section 2, § 56-1-3350(A)(4)) That information may not be sold, is exempt from the state Freedom of Information Act, and may be released only to law enforcement, emergency medical services and hospital staff, the DMV’s medical advisory board, entities permitted under the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, and the cardholder. (§ 56-1-3350(A)(5)) No one can be held liable for relying on inaccurate information on a license, ID card or driver record if the holder, physician or medical provider supplied it. (Act Sections 1–2)
• Electronic titles and liens. All commercial entities in the state that title vehicles, including dealers, lenders and auctions, must use the DMV’s electronic title system to transfer ownership and apply for and release liens. Paper titles may still be used or requested for casual sales between individuals, or as DMV policy directs. (Act Section 16, § 56-19-265(A)–(B)) The DMV must contract with a third party to build the system, which must be operational by March 31, 2027. (Act Section 19)

Who it affects

• Car buyers who need a temporary plate. (§ 56-3-210(L))
• Disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients with those specialty plates who park at municipal meters. (Act Section 14; former § 56-5-2585)
• People who finance a vehicle or mobile home, and the lenders, dealers and auctions that handle titles. (§§ 56-19-265, 56-19-680)
• People who are not lawful permanent residents and hold a South Carolina license or ID (see below). (Act Section 12, § 56-1-40(7))
• Motor vehicle dealers, wholesale auctions, rental trailer companies, fleet owners and driver training instructors (see “Other changes”).

What it means for you

• Buying a car: the DMV says you need the title, bill of sale or lease contract from the seller plus a signed Application to Issue or Replace 60-Day Temporary Plates (Form 60-A, formerly 45-A). Plates issued before October 6, 2026, that need replacing are reissued with an expiration 45 days after the purchase date. (SCDMV, License Plates) Form 60-A lists a $10.00 fee and says the plate “shall be valid for sixty days from the date the vehicle is purchased.” (SCDMV Form 60-A, 10/2026)
• Parking: with Section 56-5-2585 repealed, state law no longer exempts vehicles with disabled veteran or Purple Heart plates from municipal parking meter fees. The act does not change the plates themselves and does not address whether a city may choose to waive its own meter fees. (Act Section 14)
• Paying off a vehicle loan: after a loan is paid, the lienholder must sign the lien release within 10 business days if paid by paper, or 3 business days if paid electronically, after confirming the funds are good. The DMV then sends the title electronically to the next lienholder or the owner, and the title stays electronic unless the owner asks for paper. The lienholder may not charge for the release. Failing to forward the title is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail. (Act Section 18, § 56-19-680)
• Liens expire after 12 years on most state-titled vehicles unless the lienholder files a continuation, which adds two years. The 12 years count from when the lien was perfected, not the vehicle’s age. (§ 56-19-265(E))
• Licenses for non-permanent residents: a license or ID issued to someone authorized to live, work or study in the U.S. who is not a lawful permanent resident expires on the later of their authorized stay or their employment authorization document, and is valid for no more than eight years. A license valid up to four years costs $12.50; one valid more than four years costs $25. The DMV must grant a renewable one-year extension to a person pending adjustment of status who presents documentation the DMV accepts. (§ 56-1-40(7)) This section took effect August 6, 2026. (Act Section 12.B)

Other changes

• Rental trailers can get permanent plates for $75 each, like other trailers. (Act Sections 3–4, §§ 56-3-20, 56-3-785)
• Dealer plates require at least 15 vehicle sales in the prior 12 months (waivable for dealers licensed less than a year), with two plates for the first 15 sales and one more for each additional 15. (Act Section 5, § 56-3-2320)
• Wholesale auto auction licenses last 36 months and cost $150. (Act Section 6, § 56-15-560)
• Driver instructor permits expire with the school’s license and cost $20, $40, $60 or $80 depending on validity (up to 48 months); public and private high school instructors pay no fee. (Act Section 8, § 56-23-85)
• Revised dealer point violations, certified mail with electronic tracking for dealer suspension notices, and new definitions of “bus” and “fleet” (50 or more marked vehicles). (Act Sections 7, 9–11)

Cost and impact

The electronic title system must be funded only through transaction fees paid by commercial entities. The DMV may charge them up to $5 per lien transaction, and dealers and lenders may in turn collect up to $5 per transaction from vehicle owners. (§ 56-19-265(A), (C)–(D)) The act does not include a state cost estimate.

Current status

The House approved the bill 97–0 on second reading on April 8, 2025. The Senate amended it and approved it 37–0 on second reading on March 26, 2026, and the House agreed to the Senate amendments 110–0 on April 1, 2026. It was ratified April 1 and signed by the Governor on April 6, 2026, as Act No. 115. (Bill history)

What happens next

The act took effect six months after the Governor’s approval, which the official bill page lists as October 6, 2026. (Act Section 19; bill history) The next deadline in the act is March 31, 2027, when the electronic title system must be operational. (Act Section 19)

Sources

• SC Legislature: 2025-2026 Bill 3856, status, history and ratified text
• Ratified text of Act No. 115 (Word)
• SC Legislature: Senate Transportation Committee amendment to H.3856
• S.C. Code Title 56, Chapter 5 (Section 56-5-2585)
• SC Department of Motor Vehicles: License Plates (temporary plates)
• SCDMV Form 60-A: Application to Issue or Replace 60 Day Temporary Plates (PDF)

Legislators connected to this bill

Current members listed as sponsors on the official bill page, or with a sourced public statement about it. Details and sources are on each member page.

SC House

• Rep. Shannon S. Erickson (House District 124): sponsor

Every statement above is drawn from the official source text linked here; section references are shown in grey. This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Spot an error? Tell us.