(A) A transferee shall utilize the temporary certificate of number on the department‘s application form as a temporary certificate of number to permit the use of watercraft while applications for certificates of number are processed. Temporary certificates of number apply to new and previously owned watercraft. A temporary certificate is valid for not more than sixty days from the date of purchase. No temporary certificate of number may be issued for a boat, boat motor, or watercraft until the ad valorem tax is paid for the year for which the registration is to be issued.

(B) When using a recently purchased watercraft under authority of a temporary certificate of number, the operator shall carry a copy of the bill of sale on board along with the temporary certificate of number.

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 50-23-345

  • Boat: means a vessel. See South Carolina Code 50-21-10
  • Certificate of number: means the registration. See South Carolina Code 50-21-10
  • Department: means the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources unless otherwise stated. See South Carolina Code 50-5-15
  • Operate: means to navigate, steer, drive, or be in control. See South Carolina Code 50-21-10
  • Operator: means the person who operates or has charge or command of the navigation or use of a vessel or watercraft. See South Carolina Code 50-21-10
  • Outboard motor: means a combustion engine or electric propulsion system, which is used to propel a watercraft and which is detachable from the watercraft as a unit. See South Carolina Code 50-21-10
  • Temporary certificate of number: is a temporary registration assigned to a vessel to allow operation for a limited purpose. See South Carolina Code 50-21-10
  • Use: means operate, navigate, or employ. See South Carolina Code 50-21-10
  • Watercraft: means anything used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water but does not include: a seaplane regulated by the federal government, water skis, aquaplanes, surfboards, windsurfers, tubes, rafts, and similar devices or anything that does not meet construction or operational requirements of the state or federal government for watercraft. See South Carolina Code 50-21-10

(C) A temporary certificate of number must not be issued for a watercraft not having a hull or manufacturer’s identification number.

(D) Duplicate or updated temporary certificates of number or updated bills of sale are prohibited.

(E) The number assigned to a temporary certificate of number must not be displayed on the watercraft.

(F) A transferee may operate a newly acquired outboard motor for sixty days while application for title is pending provided the bill of sale is in possession while operating the motor.