Can you drive a salvage title car in South Carolina?

No. In South Carolina, a vehicle with a “Salvage” title cannot be legally driven on public roads. It must be repaired, inspected, and retitled as “Rebuilt” before it can be registered, insured, and operated. Below is a detailed look at what “salvage” means in South Carolina, the limited circumstances for moving a salvage vehicle, and the steps to make one street‑legal.

What “salvage” means in South Carolina

South Carolina brands a vehicle “Salvage” when it has been declared a total loss by an insurer or when repair costs reach a statutory threshold relative to the vehicle’s value. A salvage title signals the car is not roadworthy and is not eligible for registration until it is rebuilt and passes a state inspection. Some vehicles are also branded “non-rebuildable” (or “junk/parts only”), which permanently bars them from being titled or registered.

Common salvage-related brands

These are the most common title brands you’ll encounter in South Carolina and what they mean for road use.

• Salvage: Not roadworthy or registrable; must be repaired and inspected to qualify for a rebuilt brand.
• Rebuilt (or Salvage Rebuilt): Vehicle was previously salvage, has passed the required inspection, and can be titled, registered, and driven.
• Non-rebuildable/Junk/Parts only: Permanently ineligible for titling, registration, or road use.
• Flood (often paired with salvage): Indicates significant water damage; subject to the same no-driving rule until rebuilt.

Understanding these brands helps you know whether a vehicle can ever return to the road and what steps are required to do so.

Can you ever operate a salvage-titled car on public roads?

No—South Carolina does not allow operation of a vehicle with a “Salvage” title on public roads. It cannot be registered, cannot receive a normal or 45‑day temporary tag, and must be transported by tow truck, trailer, or a business transporter plate held by a licensed dealer/rebuilder. Private owners do not have a general one‑trip permit to drive a salvage car to repairs or inspection; plan to tow or haul it.

Temporary tags and limited movements

South Carolina’s temporary tags are for vehicles that are otherwise eligible for registration. Because a salvage‑titled vehicle is not registrable, you generally cannot obtain a temporary plate to drive it. Licensed businesses may use transporter/dealer plates to move vehicles in the course of business; private owners should assume towing is required until the vehicle is rebuilt and retitled.

How to make a salvage car street‑legal in South Carolina

To legally drive a former salvage vehicle, you must complete the state’s rebuilt process, which includes repairs, documentation, inspection, and retitling before registration and insurance.

1. Hold the salvage title in your name: Ensure the title has been transferred to you with the “Salvage” brand reflected.
2. Repair the vehicle: Complete structural and safety repairs. Keep detailed receipts for all major parts and labor.
3. Document the rebuild: Take clear photos before, during, and after repairs; retain VIN labels and any compliance stickers where applicable.
4. Schedule and pass the state rebuilt inspection: Book an inspection with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles’ rebuilt/anti‑theft inspection unit. Transport the vehicle to the inspection site (towed/trailed unless you are a licensed business using a transporter plate) with all receipts and documentation.
5. Apply for a rebuilt title: After passing inspection, submit the required title application, inspection report, supporting documents, and fees to SCDMV to obtain a title branded “Rebuilt.”
6. Insure and register the vehicle: Obtain at least South Carolina‑required liability insurance, pay county property taxes, then register the vehicle with SCDMV and obtain plates.

Once the rebuilt title is issued and the car is insured and registered, it may be legally driven on public roads in South Carolina.

Insurance and practical considerations

Insuring and owning a rebuilt vehicle carries unique considerations. Expect differences in coverage, value, and resale prospects compared with a clean-title car.

• Coverage limits: Many insurers offer liability coverage on rebuilt vehicles; comprehensive/collision may be limited, costlier, or unavailable.
• Diminished value: Rebuilt branding lowers market value and can complicate resale and trade‑in.
• Financing hurdles: Some lenders avoid rebuilt vehicles or require larger down payments and higher rates.
• Disclosure: Sellers must disclose salvage/rebuilt history; buyers should verify title brands via NMVTIS/vehicle history reports and SCDMV records.
• No periodic inspection requirement: South Carolina does not have annual safety or emissions inspections statewide, but the one‑time rebuilt inspection is mandatory for former salvage vehicles.

Factoring these issues into your budget and expectations can prevent surprises after retitling.

Penalties for driving a salvage vehicle

Operating a salvage‑titled vehicle on public roads can lead to citations for driving an unregistered and possibly uninsured vehicle, fines, and potential impoundment. It may also jeopardize any subsequent attempts to title or register the vehicle if violations are tied to fraud or improper use of plates.

Buying salvage or rebuilt in South Carolina

If you’re considering purchasing a salvage or rebuilt vehicle, thorough vetting helps you avoid costly problems and legal hurdles.

• Verify the current title brand with SCDMV and review NMVTIS and reputable vehicle history reports.
• For rebuilt cars, ask for the inspection report, parts receipts, and photos documenting repairs.
• Have a trusted mechanic/body shop inspect structural, airbag, and electrical repairs.
• Confirm insurability and lender policies before you buy.
• Be wary of out‑of‑state titles; South Carolina will carry forward prior brands and may require inspection if the vehicle was ever salvage.

Doing this due diligence reduces the risk of buying a car that cannot be registered, insured, or safely operated.

Key takeaways

The rules are straightforward: you cannot drive a car with a “Salvage” title in South Carolina. Only after it is repaired, passes the state’s rebuilt inspection, receives a “Rebuilt” title, and is registered and insured may it legally be driven.

Summary

In South Carolina, a salvage‑titled vehicle is not road‑legal and cannot be registered or driven. To make it legal, repair the car, document parts and work, pass the state rebuilt inspection, obtain a rebuilt title, then insure and register it. Until then, plan to tow or trailer the vehicle. This process safeguards buyers and the public by ensuring previously totaled vehicles meet minimum standards before returning to the road.

What is the salvage law in South Carolina?

Vehicles declared a total loss will be marked as “salvage” unless at least one of the following is true: The vehicle is marked “junk.” The vehicle has been damaged less than 75% and has not sustained water or fire damage. The value of the vehicle is less than $2,000.

What happens if I get pulled over with a salvage title?

Depending on the laws where you live, you could receive a ticket or face more serious legal trouble, such as the loss of driving privileges. Salvage vehicles usually cannot be registered for use on the road, so the risk of being pulled over by police and receiving a citation is high.

Can you drive a car with a salvage title in SC?

While some vehicles are able to be salvaged, other vehicles may be branded with a title that says things such as “only for parts.” These vehicles cannot be driven on South Carolina, or most other states’, roads.

Can you insure salvage title in SC?

No, you cannot insure a car with a salvage title in South Carolina because it is considered a total loss by the insurance company and cannot be legally driven. However, you may be able to insure the vehicle after it is repaired and issued a rebuilt title by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV). You will need to obtain a statement from a certified mechanic confirming the vehicle’s safety, apply for the rebuilt title, and then find an insurance provider willing to offer coverage, which may be limited to liability-only policies. 
Steps to Insure a Rebuilt Vehicle

1. Confirm the vehicle is repairable: Before you start repairs, check with the SCDMV to understand the requirements for a rebuilt title. 
2. Complete repairs: Make all necessary repairs to the vehicle. 
3. Get a mechanic’s statement: Have a certified mechanic inspect the completed repairs and provide a written statement confirming the vehicle is safe and roadworthy. 
4. Apply for a rebuilt title: Submit the mechanic’s statement, repair receipts, and any other required documentation to the SCDMV to apply for a rebuilt title. 
5. Shop for insurance: Once the vehicle has a rebuilt title, you can shop for insurance coverage. 

Important Considerations

• Limited coverage: Many insurance companies are hesitant to offer full coverage (comprehensive and collision) for rebuilt vehicles due to potential existing damage. 
• Specialized providers: You may need to work with an insurance company that specializes in high-risk insurance or has experience covering rebuilt vehicles. 
• State-specific process: Requirements for rebuilding and titling a vehicle, and subsequently insuring it, vary by state, so it’s crucial to check with the SCDMV. 
• Vehicle’s reduced value: A vehicle with a rebuilt title is worth less than one with a clean title, which can affect the payout if you need to file a claim.