South Carolina § 50-23-190 - Unlawful acts; possession, operation, or transfer without certificate; failure to surrender certificate; improper disposal of rejected or defective hull or motor.
Full text of South Carolina South Carolina Code of Laws § 50-23-190 — Unlawful acts; possession, operation, or transfer without certificate; failure to surrender certificate; improper disposal of rejected or defective hull or motor., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 50-23-190. Unlawful acts; possession, operation, or transfer without certificate; failure to surrender certificate; improper disposal of rejected or defective hull or motor.
No person may:
(1) be in possession of or operate on the waters of this State a watercraft or an outboard motor for which a certificate of title is required unless a certificate of title has been issued to the owner;
(2) be in possession of or operate on the waters of this State a watercraft or an outboard motor for which a certificate of title is required upon which the certificate of title has been canceled;
(3) be in possession of or operate on the waters of this State a sailboat or outboard motor required to be titled without properly displaying the title decal;
(4) sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of a watercraft or an outboard motor without delivering to the purchaser or transferee a certificate of title or a manufacturer's or importer's statement of origin assigned to the purchaser or transferee as required by this chapter;
(5) fail to surrender to the department a certificate of title upon cancellation of the title by the department for a valid reason set forth in this chapter or regulations adopted pursuant to it; or
(6) dispose of a rejected or defective watercraft hull or outboard motor in the manufacturing process except by upgrading the hull to meet United States Coast Guard requirements or destroying the hull or outboard motor.
HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 70-295.119; 1971 (57) 915; 1989 Act No. 190, SECTION 13; 1993 Act No. 128, SECTION 12; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1270; 2008 Act No. 344, SECTION 17, eff six months after approval (approved June 11, 2008).
Effect of Amendment
The 2008 amendment added item (3) relating to sailboats and outboard motors required to be titled; redesignated items (3) to (5) as items (4) to (6); and, in item (4), substituted "statement of origin" for "certificate".
Source: official South Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina § 50-23-190
What does South Carolina Code of Laws § 50-23-190 cover?
Section 50-23-190 ("Unlawful acts; possession, operation, or transfer without certificate; failure to surrender certificate; improper disposal of rejected or defective hull or motor.") is part of the South Carolina Code of Laws, the codified statutory law of South Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite South Carolina § 50-23-190?
A common citation format is "South Carolina Code of Laws § 50-23-190" (South Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of South Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the South Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed South Carolina attorney.
How does South Carolina § 50-23-190 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in South Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in South Carolina.