(A) Before engaging in business as a recreational vehicle dealer in this State, a person first must make application to the Department of Motor Vehicles for a license. Each license issued expires on the last day of the month twelve months from the date of issue, the "licensing period", and must be displayed prominently at the established place of business. The fee for the license is fifty dollars. The license applies to only one place of business of the applicant and is not transferable to another person or place of business.

(B) A licensed South Carolina recreational vehicle dealer may exhibit and sell recreational vehicles, as defined by Section 56-14-10, at fairs, recreational or sports shows, vacation shows, and other similar events or shows upon obtaining a temporary dealer's license in the manner required by this section. No other exhibitions may be allowed, except as may be permitted by this section. Any recreational vehicle displayed must be owned by the dealer holding the temporary license. Before exhibiting and selling recreational vehicles at temporary locations, the dealer shall first make application to the department for a license. To be eligible for a temporary license, a dealer shall hold a valid recreational vehicle dealer's license issued pursuant to this chapter. Every temporary dealer's license issued is valid for a period not to exceed ten consecutive days and must be prominently displayed at the temporary place of business. No dealer may purchase more than six temporary licenses in any one licensing period. The fee for each temporary license issued is twenty dollars. A temporary license applies to only one dealer operating in a temporary location and is not transferable to any other dealer or location.

(C) The provisions of this section may not be construed as allowing the sale of any type of motor vehicles other than recreational vehicles at authorized temporary locations.

(D) A person who fails to secure either a temporary or a permanent license as required in this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined:

(1) not less than fifty dollars or more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days for the first offense;

(2) not less than two hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both, for the second offense; and

(3) not less than one thousand dollars or more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than two years, or both, for the third or any subsequent offense.

(E) For purposes of this section, the sale of each recreational vehicle constitutes a separate offense. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall enforce the provisions contained in this section.

(F) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a licensed recreational vehicle dealer from providing vehicles for demonstration or test driving purposes.

HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 51 (S.321), Section 1, eff November 19, 2017.

Editor's Note

2017 Act No. 51,Sections 6, 7, provide:

"SECTION 6. The department is authorized to promulgate regulations for the enforcement of the provisions of Chapter 14, Title 56.

"SECTION 7. This act takes effect six months after approval by the Governor and applies to manufacturer/dealer agreements entered into on or after July 1, 2018."