This page is dedicated to various regulatory filings and information that applies to motor vehicle dealers operating in this state.

General Information

These are three filings that might apply to a motor vehicle dealer. For more detailed information about these filings and whether or not they apply to a dealer, please refer to the Filing Instructions.

Credit Grantor Notification

Credit Grantor Notification - Dealers who make consumer credit sales, leases and persons who take assignments of rights against debtors arising from such transactions are required to file a notification form and pay a notification fee to the S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs for each location at which such transactions are made. The notification fee is $120.00 per location.

Maximum Rate Schedule (Credit Sales)

Maximum Rate Schedule - Dealers who wish to charge an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) in excess of 18% must file a Maximum Rate Schedule (MRS) with the Department. Dealers are required to file an MRS for:

(1) financing that is offered at your place of business,

(2) all paper work related to the sale is completed in your office at the time the sale takes place and the contract is assigned to another business, and

(3) the sale is offered on credit but the credit price differs from the cash price because of a finance charge.

A Maximum Rate Schedule must also be posted in the creditor's place of business. The filing fee is $40 per location.

Dealer Closing Fees

Prior to charging a closing fee (sometimes referred to by other terms such as doc fee, doc prep fee, administrative fee, processing fee), a motor vehicle dealer must provide written notice to the Department of the maximum amount of a closing fee the dealer intends to charge. If the dealer intends to charge more than $225, additional documents and information must be filed. The filing fee is $25.

Law

• Credit Grantor Notification: S.C. Code Ann. § 37-6-201 to -203

• Maximum Rate Schedule: S.C. Code Ann. § 37-2-305

• Dealer Closing Fees: S.C. Code Ann. § 37-2-307 **amended 5/16/2023**

Filing Instructions

• Registered Creditors Filing Instructions (PDF)

• Registered Creditors Filing Flowchart (PDF)

• Terminology and Filing Assistance (PDF)

Filing Forms

• Initial Credit Grantor Notification Form (PDF)

• Renewal Credit Grantor Notification Form (PDF)

• Initial Maximum Rate Schedule Form (PDF)

• Renewal Maximum Rate Schedule Form (PDF)

• Notice of Closing Fee Form (PDF) **Updated June 2023**

• Notice of Closing Fee Addendum (PDF)  **Updated June 2023**

• Business Address/Name Change Form (PDF)

Additional Education

• Closing Fee Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) 

• Memo - Dealers of Motorcycles, New Rec Vehicles & Mopeds (PDF) 

• Closing Fee Statute Update June 29, 2023 (YouTube)

• Auto Dealer Renewal Webinar December 5, 2023 (YouTube)

• Guide for Auto Dealers (PDF) - This guide gives an overview of various consumer protection laws and is meant to assist auto dealers in complying with those laws.

• For a list of motor vehicle dealer maximum rate schedules and closing fees, please see our Licensee Lookup page.

• For business education and other resources, please see our Business Education & Tools page.

• Consumer Credit: A Guide for Business (PDF)

• User Guide for Printing Certificates (PDF)