South Carolina – General Emissions Information

Last updated on March 16th, 2021

South Carolina Emissions

There are many states nearby South Carolina that require smog testing in order to have vehicles registered. However, this is not required in the state of South Carolina. However, this does not mean that protecting the environment is not important if you live in South Carolina.

The reason that these inspections are not required in the state of South Carolina is because the state meets all federal clean air standards. But, there are still ways that citizens can work to keep your clean in this state. Below are some of the ways that you can help keep the state of South Carolina clean air well into the future.

• Carpool
• Walk
• Write a bike
• Take public transportation
• Telecommute
• Joe your car with gas during the cooler parts of the day
• Performed lawn maintenance of cooler days
• Keep your vehicle running cleanly and properly so that it will burn fuel efficiently

Green Vehicles

Another way that you can keep the air clean is to purchase an earth friendly car that is more fuel-efficient. These vehicles can help protect the air and may even be able to save you some money when it comes to your taxes because there are many federal incentives available for people who drive these types of vehicles.

Insurance companies are also getting on board with saving the environment and are now offering many discounts if you purchase a eco-friendly vehicle to drive. You can check with your specific insurance provider to determine if your vehicle qualifies for a discount.

New Residents

If you are a new resident to South Carolina, you must apply for a vehicle registration certificate within 45 days of moving to the state. This registration will be good for two years, but you will first be required to pay your counties vehicle property tax before you can receive your registration for your vehicle.

After you receive the receipt for paying for this tax, you are ready to then register and title your vehicle. This can be done on the same day for more convenience. You can either register in person or by mail and if you visit in person you will need to visit your local South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles offices.

If you choose to register by mail you’ll need to fill out all the requested documents and have them mailed to the proper location.

Purchasing a vehicle

If you purchase a vehicle, you must register the vehicle within 45 days and your certificate is valid for two years. If you buy the vehicle from a dealership, they will forward the registration documents to the DMV for you. However, if you purchase it from a private party you will need to conduct this yourself.

Conclusion

Even though the state of South Carolina has good quality air, it is important that we take care of our vehicles so that this air quality can stay pristine. Make sure that you are following all the rules when it comes to registering your vehicle and that you are keeping your vehicle maintained in a timely manner. This is the best way to avoid additional fees and costs related to repairing your vehicle in the future.