Commercial Vehicles

Commercial Truck or Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV)

As defined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle:

a) Has a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds, whichever is greater

b) Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater

c) Is designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver

d) Is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials as that term is defined in 49 C.F.R. Section 390.5

To drive a CMV, you must have a commercial driver's license (CDL). If you're interested in learning more about the requirements for getting a CDL, visit Commercial Licenses

Commercial Vehicle Titling Process-ALL

Titles for ALL commercial vehicles should be applied for and in the business or individual name prior to applying for vehicle registration. For more information on how-to Transfer My Title.

Commercial Vehicle Registration

Operating within South Carolina only

If you meet none of the requirements outlined in SCDMV Motor Carrier Eligibility Checklist to obtain a apportioned plate registration, then you may be eligible for a South Carolina base plate and if applicable apply for a trip permit. If one or more of the following apply:

  • You are not transporting goods or commerce outside of South Carolina
  • You are traveling outside of South Carolina with a GVW of 26,000 lbs. or less
  • You are transporting outside of South Carolina with a GVW of more than 26,000 lbs. but not frequently.

Obtain an IFTA or IRP Trip Permit

As of May 6, 2024, IFTA and IRP Trip Permits are available for purchase directly from the SCDMV by individual customers. Customers who have not previously purchased an IFTA or IRP Trip Permit directly from the SCDMV should follow this link to obtain a username and password for the Motor Carrier Services sign in portal. The approval process may take up to 48 hours. An email will be sent to the customer containing the login information. Once your login information has arrived in the email, please follow this link to the Motor Carrier Services sign in portal to purchase the permit.

Customers who have previously purchased an IFTA or IRP Trip Permit from the SCDMV may follow the link to the Motor Carrier Services sign in portal and begin the process of purchasing the permit.  The following information is necessary when purchasing the permit:

  • VIN for the vehicle the permit will be used for
  • Registration or unit number of the vehicle the permit will be used for
  • Owner name of the vehicle the permit will be used for
  • License plate number of the vehicle the permit will be used for
  • Vehicle type, make, year, GVW, number of axles, and state of registration of the vehicle
  • Insurance policy number, company, effective and expiration dates of the vehicle
  • USDOT number
  • FEIN Number

Permit Agencies who have purchased IFTA or IRP Trip Permits prior to May 6, 2024, may issue the remaining permits in their possession until Dec. 31, 2024. After that date, permits held by a permitting agency will become invalid and may not be sold or issued to a carrier.  

For questions regarding IFTA or IRP Trip permits or how to obtain a trip permit, please contact the SCDMV Motor Carrier Information Center at 803-896-3870.

International Registration Plan (IRP)

Registration for commercial vehicles operating in South Carolina and other states must be completed online at the South Carolina Trucking Portal. IRP registrations cannot be processed at any of the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) branch offices.

Heavy Vehicle Use Tax
International Registration Plan (IRP) Registrants and Intrastate carriers must show a Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) return, Schedule 1 2290 (IRS Form 2290), validated by the IRS for the current tax year or a copy of the form accompanied by a photocopy of the canceled check (front and back) used to pay the tax.

  • The owner of any vehicle with a declared gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 55,000 pounds or more, regardless of the type of vehicle, must provide Schedule 1 tax paid receipt from the Internal Revenue Service
  • You should file HVUT returns with the IRS from July 1 to August 31 for any vehicle currently licensed
  • Customers who register 25 or more vehicles for any taxable period are required to electronically file their HVUT tax return with the IRS. If you acquire additional vehicles after the initial filing of the tax return, you do not have to electronically file the return for those vehicles. The SCDMV does not accept tax returns if you’re registering 25 or more vehicles
  • To electronically File the HVUT Return (Form 2290), visit https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/tax-year-2022-2290-modernized-e-file-mef-providers
  • The HVUT Return (IRS Form 2290) must be filed by the last day of the month, following the month of the first use
    For example, if an individual uses a taxable vehicle on a public highway by driving it home from the dealership on July 2, 2018, after purchasing it. The individual must file IRS Form 2290 by August 31, 2018, for the period beginning July 1, 2018. For more information, visit https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i2290.pdf and view page 3

For further information on vehicles exempt from the HVUT go to www.irs.gov.

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, SCDMV will no longer forward a completed Form 2290, Schedule 1, and payment to the IRS for registrants. You will need to provide a receipted Schedule 1 to SCDMV upon registration. 
This service was provided voluntarily by SCDMV to registrants. SCDMV is not required by law to accept and forward completed Forms 2290 and payment to the IRS. 
Visit the Trucking Tax Center on IRS.gov to learn more about filing and payment options for Form 2290. When filing electronically, you'll receive your watermarked Schedule 1 from your e-file provider via email.