S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-350: Grounds for refusing to register and license or transfer registration of vehicle.

The Department of Motor Vehicles shall refuse to register and license or transfer registration upon one or more of the following grounds:

(1) The application contains a false or fraudulent statement or the applicant has not furnished required information or reasonable additional information requested by the department.

(2) The vehicle is mechanically unfit or unsafe to be operated or moved upon the highways.

(3) The department has reasonable ground to believe the vehicle is stolen or the registration and licensing or transfer is a fraud against the rightful owner of the vehicle.

(4) The registration and license of the vehicle is canceled, suspended, or revoked as provided in this chapter or other motor vehicle laws of this State.

(5) The required fee has not been paid.

(6) For a vehicle purchased outside this State, satisfactory evidence of payment of the South Carolina use tax has not been presented.