How to Transfer a Vehicle Title When You Have an Accessible Vehicle

What you need to do to transfer an accessible vehicle title in South Carolina

Transferring a vehicle title in South Carolina follows the same basic process whether the vehicle is accessible or not — you fill out the title form, provide proof of ownership, and pay a fee. The difference is that if your vehicle has been modified for accessibility (a wheelchair lift, hand controls, or other adaptive equipment), you need to make sure those modifications are documented on the title or in your records before you transfer it. This protects the next owner and ensures the vehicle's value reflects the work that was done.

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) does not have a separate title category for accessible vehicles, so the transfer itself uses the standard process. What matters is keeping clear records of any modifications, especially if they cost significant money or if you plan to sell the vehicle later.

Key Takeaways

• Vehicle title transfer in South Carolina uses the standard SCDMV form (Form 4007) regardless of accessibility modifications.
• You should document all adaptive equipment and modifications in writing before transferring the title, even though they do not appear on the title itself.
• If you received a tax credit or grant to pay for modifications, keep those records separate from the title paperwork.
• The person receiving the vehicle should know about all modifications and their condition before the transfer is complete.

Gathering the documents you will need

Start by collecting the current title, which you should have received when you first bought the vehicle. If you cannot find it, you can request a duplicate from the SCDMV. You will also need a photo ID and proof of South Carolina residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement works).

For an accessible vehicle, gather documentation of any modifications: receipts from the company that installed the equipment, invoices showing what was done, and photographs of the installed equipment. If you paid for modifications through a grant, tax credit, or insurance reimbursement, keep those approval letters and payment records together. These documents do not go on the title, but they become part of the vehicle's history and should transfer to the new owner.

If someone else will be taking over the vehicle (a family member, caregiver, or buyer), prepare a written summary of all modifications, including what each one does, when it was installed, and any maintenance or inspection records. This is especially important for safety-related equipment like hand controls or wheelchair lifts.

Completing the title transfer form

The form you need is Form 4007, the "Application for Certificate of Title." You can get it from any SCDMV office, download it from the SCDMV website, or have it mailed to you. The form asks for your name, address, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the odometer reading, and the signature of the current owner.

There is no section on Form 4007 to list modifications or accessibility equipment. That information stays in your separate documentation. However, if the vehicle has been significantly modified (for example, if a wheelchair lift takes up the entire rear cargo area), you may want to note this in the "Remarks" section or on a separate sheet attached to the form, so the new owner is aware.

The person receiving the vehicle must also sign the form. If you are transferring the title to a family member or caregiver, both of you sign. If you are selling it, the buyer signs as the new owner.

Where to submit the form and what it costs

Take the completed Form 4007, the current title, your ID, and proof of residency to any SCDMV office. You can find the office nearest you on the SCDMV website. Bring the original title, not a copy.

The fee for a title transfer in South Carolina is $10 for a standard transfer. There is no additional charge for a vehicle with modifications. Processing usually takes one to two weeks, and you will receive the new title by mail at the address you provided on the form.

If you are transferring the title to someone else, make sure you both understand who is responsible for any future maintenance or repairs to the adaptive equipment. Some modifications come with warranties; others do not. This should be discussed and documented before the transfer is final.

Documenting modifications for the new owner

Create a simple written record of all modifications and give it to the new owner along with the vehicle. Include the date each modification was installed, the name of the company that did the work, what the equipment does, and any special care or maintenance it needs. For example, a wheelchair lift may need annual inspection, or hand controls may need periodic adjustment.

If the vehicle came with instruction manuals for the adaptive equipment, include those as well. If you have service records showing maintenance or repairs to the modifications, pass those along too. This information helps the new owner understand what they have and how to keep it working properly.

If you installed modifications using funds from a grant, Medicaid waiver, or insurance, let the new owner know. Some programs have rules about what happens to the equipment if the vehicle is sold or transferred. You may need to notify the funding source of the transfer.

What happens if the vehicle has a lien or loan

If you still owe money on the vehicle, the title will show a lien holder (usually a bank or credit union). You cannot transfer a clear title until that loan is paid off. Contact your lender and ask what paperwork you need to release the lien once the loan is settled.

If you are transferring the vehicle to someone else while a loan is still active, the new owner will need to refinance or take over the loan. This is a separate process from the title transfer and involves the lender directly. The SCDMV cannot process a title transfer if a lien is listed and the lender has not authorized it.

Transferring a vehicle you received through a grant or assistance program

If you received the vehicle or funding for modifications through a disability services program, Medicaid waiver, or nonprofit organization, check whether there are restrictions on transferring it. Some programs require you to notify them before the vehicle changes hands, and a few have rules about who can receive it or what happens to the funding.

Contact the program that provided the vehicle or the money for modifications and ask about their transfer policy. Get any required approval in writing before you complete the SCDMV title transfer. This protects both you and the new owner from unexpected complications later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the title show that the vehicle has accessibility modifications?

No. The South Carolina title does not have a field for modifications or adaptive equipment. The title only shows the vehicle identification number, make, model, and ownership. You keep modification records separately and share them with the new owner as part of the vehicle handoff.

What if I installed modifications myself or had someone do it without a receipt?

The title transfer does not require receipts or proof of modifications. However, if you are selling the vehicle, the buyer may ask for documentation of the work. If you have no receipts, photographs and a written description of what was done and when are better than nothing. For future reference, always keep invoices and receipts for any work done to the vehicle.

Can I transfer the title if the adaptive equipment is broken or no longer works?

Yes. A non-functioning modification does not prevent a title transfer. However, you must tell the new owner that the equipment is not working. If the equipment is expensive to repair, this affects the vehicle's value and should be disclosed before the transfer.

Do I need to notify the SCDMV about modifications when I transfer the title?

No. The SCDMV does not track modifications. You handle that documentation separately. Your only responsibility is to complete Form 4007 accurately and provide it to the new owner along with records of what was done to the vehicle.

What if the new owner is out of state?

If the new owner lives in another state, they will need to register the vehicle in their state and get a title from their state's motor vehicle department. South Carolina will issue the title to you or the new owner, but the new owner will then need to follow their own state's process. Make sure they have all documentation of modifications before they leave South Carolina, because getting records later can be difficult.