Moving to Horry County: your checklist and deadlines
Moving to Horry County? You have 45 days to get an SC license and register your car. Pay the vehicle tax to the county first: the Auditor bills it, the Treasurer collects it, and SCDMV needs the receipt.
Your deadlines from your move date
The checklist, in order
Within 45 daysPay county vehicle tax, then register your car
Switch your insurance to a South Carolina-licensed insurer. The county auditor issues a property tax bill for the car (bring the VIN and current registration); you must pay it to the county treasurer before SCDMV will register the car. At SCDMV bring Form 400, your out-of-state title, ID, insurance and the paid tax receipt. Fees: $250 Infrastructure Maintenance Fee, $15 title and $40 registration, plus the county tax.
Within 45 daysGet your South Carolina driver license
An 8-year South Carolina license costs $25. Bring the identity and residency documents on SCDMV's new-resident list.
Before you voteRegister to vote
South Carolina closes registration 30 days before each election. You can register online, by mail or in person.
Moving on military orders? See the military guide ›
| Step | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pay county vehicle tax, then register your car | 45 days after you move | SCDMV, Moving to SC (vehicles) |
| Get your South Carolina driver license | 45 days after you move | SCDMV, Moving to SC (driver license) |
| Register to vote | See step | Vote.gov, South Carolina |
In Horry County
License, tags and vehicle tax
Pay the vehicle property tax first: the Horry County Auditor bills it, the Treasurer collects it, and you take the paid receipt to SCDMV. The SCDMV Myrtle Beach Commons office is at 1330 Howard Parkway, Myrtle Beach.
Horry County vehicle tax · SCDMV Myrtle Beach Commons · All SCDMV offices
Electricity
Electric service depends on your exact address, and more than one utility or electric cooperative can serve the same county. Ask your landlord, seller or HOA which one serves the house before you call to start service. The state Public Service Commission oversees rates and service rules.
Enroll in school
Horry County Schools registers new students online (the 2026-2027 form takes about 10 minutes). Have ready: a parent photo ID; proof of residency (a utility bill from the last 30 days, a signed lease, or a letter on letterhead if you live long-term in a hotel or condo); the long-form birth certificate; and the immunization certificate.
Opening a business
In unincorporated Horry County, the business license comes from the County Treasurer, 1301 Second Ave., Conway; get Zoning Compliance first. Inside a city, the city issues its own license.
Second home or seasonal resident?
The deadlines above start when you become a resident. If this is a second home, check your state's residency rules before switching license and plates. Renting it out short-term has its own county and city rules.
Buying to rent: rules and taxes › · Retiring here: costs and taxes ›
Local help for new residents
Your listing could look like this
Hours, license, phone and directions in one place, on a map, where people in Grand Strand look for real estate agents.
Do you help people settle in here?
Where to stay while you house-hunt
Compare hotels and rentals for a house-hunting trip or the days before your move-in date.
New here? Help the next family
Questions new residents ask
How long do I have to get a South Carolina driver license after moving?
45 days, per SCDMV. An 8-year license costs $25.
Do I pay tax on my car before registering it in South Carolina?
Yes. The county auditor bills the vehicle property tax, you pay it to the county treasurer, and SCDMV needs the paid receipt to register the car.
What does it cost to bring a car to South Carolina?
SCDMV charges a $250 Infrastructure Maintenance Fee, $15 for the title and $40 for registration, plus the county vehicle tax.
How long do I have to get a North Carolina license after moving to Brunswick County?
60 days, per NCDOT. Register the car when you start a job or when your old state's reciprocity ends.
Where is the driver license office in Brunswick County?
NCDMV opened one at 20 Old River Rd., Leland, on Feb. 9, 2026, with walk-ins and appointments.
When is the voter registration deadline?
30 days before an election in South Carolina; 25 days in North Carolina, where you can also register during early voting.
Sources
- SCDMV, Moving to SC (vehicles)
- SCDMV, Moving to SC (driver license)
- Vote.gov, South Carolina
- NCDOT, New North Carolina residents
- Vote.gov, North Carolina
- Horry County, vehicle tax
- SCDMV, Myrtle Beach Commons
- Public Service Commission of South Carolina
- Horry County Schools, new student registration
- Horry County Treasurer, business license
- SCDMV, office locations
- Georgetown County, Recycling
- Georgetown County School District, online registration
- NCDOT, Leland driver license office
- Brunswick County, Curbside Service
- North Carolina Utilities Commission
- Brunswick County Schools, enrolling a student