Motor Vehicles; Reciprocity; South Carolina Dealer Tags

Subject:

Motor Vehicles; Reciprocity; South Carolina Dealer Tags

Requested By:

R. V. Moss Charlotte Police Legal Officer

Questions:

1. Is it legal for a North Carolina resident who has purchased a vehicle in South Carolina to operate that vehicle in North Carolina while displaying a South Carolina cardboard dealer tag?

2. Is it legal for a South Carolina resident to drive in North Carolina while displaying a cardboard South Carolina dealer tag. (This tag gives only the name of the dealer.)

Conclusions:

1. Yes.

2. Yes.

Under authority of Article 1A of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes of North Carolina; i.e. G.S. 20-4.1 through G.S. 20-4.12, and the understanding between the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for the States of North Carolina and South Carolina pursuant thereto, South Carolina dealer tags should be honored for a period of ten days from the date of purchase as shown by a bill of sale which must accompany the dealer tag.

The fact that such dealer tag is displayed on a vehicle purchased in South Carolina by a North Carolina resident does not alter the ten-day period, provided the North Carolina resident holds a duly executed bill of sale from a South Carolina dealer. Reciprocity extends to the South Carolina dealer as the dealer tag is issued pursuant to South Carolina law.

Rufus L. Edmisten Attorney General

William W. Melvin Deputy Attorney General