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Registering or renewing license plates in South Carolina is done through the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Vehicle owners can apply for standard plates, specialty plates, or disability plates. Most plates have the option to be personalized for an additional fee.
It is possible to look up available plate numbers online before applying.
Sample South Carolina License Plate
Types of License Plates in South Carolina
All vehicles owned by South Carolina residents are required to have license plates on their vehicles.
There are a few different types of license plates issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in South Carolina.
License plates available for vehicles include:
Standard License Plates: White and blue background plate with dark blue lettering (available to all who register their vehicle).
Specialty License Plates: Vary by type and have a unique design based on the organization, occupation, or cause associated with it.
Disability License Plates: Issued only to those with a disability; these plates have eligibility criteria.
Temporary License Plates: For those who purchase a new vehicle to drive legally during the registration process.
Prices vary by plate type and may include additional requirements to register.
Specialty License Plates in South Carolina
The following specialty license plates are available for South Carolina residents from the DMV:
Collegiate License Plates: For those who want to support their local colleges, universities, sororities, or fraternities; for example:
University of South Carolina Plates
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Plates
Sports License Plates: For those who want to show their allegiance and support to local and national sports teams or players; for example:
Carolina Panthers Plates
NASCAR Plates
Charitable / Non-Profit Plates: For those who wish to support and make a contribution to a charitable organization; for example:
Donate Life
Support Our Troops
Military License Plates: For military personnel to recognize their honorary awards, experiences, and services; for example:
U.S. Army Plates
Ex-POW Plates
Occupational License Plates: For those who work for a particular occupation; for example:
EMT Plates
Firefighter Plates
Classic Car License Plates: For those with vintage, antique, or classic cars; for example:
Streets Rods
Antique Roadsters
Specialty license plates may require additional documentation for proof of enrollment or association. For example, military license plates require proof of being enlisted or valid discharge papers. Those seeking specific honorary plates must have valid certification of the applicable military awards.
The fees required for specialty plates vary by type. Some charitable and organizational fees receive a portion of the plate fee to support their causes or initiatives.
South Carolina Personalized License Plates
Personalized license plates enable you to customize your vehicle's plate number. The DMV in South Carolina requires that you follow these guidelines:
Plate number must have up to 7 characters
Characters can be a combination of letters and numbers
No vulgar language or indecent suggestions permitted
Plate numbers cannot resemble others already registered to another vehicle
Applications are reviewed by DMV staff to ensure they follow these guidelines.
To look up available license plates in South Carolina, use the search bar above.
Disability License Plates in South Carolina
People with disabilities may be qualified to obtain disability license plates from the DMV.
Disability license plates and placards are available for:
People with permanent disabilities
People with temporary disabilities
Veterans with a disability
Community vehicles that provide transportation to people with disabilities
Disability plates and placards permit people with disabilities to park in designated parking spaces throughout the state.
How to Apply for License Plates in South Carolina
Applications for license plates can be done by mail or in person at DMV offices throughout South Carolina. To register a vehicle, the following may be required:
Proof that vehicle is insured
Vehicle titling documents
Valid ID (i.e., South Carolina Driver’s License)
Completed registration forms
Applicable documents for specialty, disability, or personalized plates
Emissions certification
Payment for registration fees
All vehicles owned by South Carolina residents must be registered to drive legally throughout the state.
New residents in the state are required to register their out-of-state vehicle(s) within 45 days.
Residents who are purchasing a new or used vehicle are required to register it within 45 days.
Renewing License Plates in South Carolina
All registered vehicles are in South Carolina are issued registration stickers, which must be placed on the rear license plate. Before the expiration date on the plate, vehicle owners should apply for renewal either in person, by mail, or online.
New registration stickers will be issued, which must be placed over the old ones.
Transferring License Plates in South Carolina
When you purchase a new vehicle, you can transfer your old license plates to your new vehicle for a nominal fee.
It is not usually possible to transfer license plates to the person who is purchasing your used vehicle.
Surrendering License Plates in South Carolina
The following situations require vehicle owners to surrender their license plates in South Carolina:
Cancelled vehicle insurance
Not transferring plates to another vehicle
Moving to another state
Plates can be surrendered by mailing them in or dropping them off at your local DMV office.
Summary of Fees for South Carolina License Plates
When registering your vehicle with the South Carolina DMV, you will be required to pay taxes and service fees in addition to the following registration fees:
2-year Registration Fee:
Motorcycle: $10
Passenger Vehicle: $40
Temporary Plates: $5
Specialty Plates:
E.g., Antique Plates: $10
Personalization: $30
Please contact your local SC DMV office for more information about fees and taxes for specific car types.
Looking Up License Plates in South Carolina
You can look up license plates in South Carolina and obtain information about:
Plate number availability
Submitted vehicle history & reports
Vehicle images, videos, etc.
Use the search bar above to begin looking up license plates in South Carolina or any state across the U.S.
Car Ownership in South Carolina
South Carolina ranks 19th (tied with Delaware) on the list of states with the highest car ownership rates. Idaho and Wyoming are at the top of the table. The District of Columbia and New York have the lowest car ownership rates in the US.
94.10% of households in South Carolina have at least one vehicle. In Idaho and Wyoming (the states with the highest car ownership rates), 96.20% of households have at least one vehicle. In the District of Columbia, the vehicle ownership rate is the lowest in the US at 64.30%.
South Carolina ranks 40th for electric vehicle ownership in the US. Approximately 0.15% of all registered vehicles in South Carolina are electric vehicles. California and Hawaii have the highest percentage of electric vehicles (1.61% and 1.32% respectively). Mississippi and North Dakota have the lowest percentage of electric vehicles (0.05%).
South Carolina is ranked 21 on the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US. California and Nevada are the most expensive and Ohio is the least expensive state to own a car in the US.
The average cost of annual full coverage car insurance in South Carolina is $2,387. New York has the most expensive full coverage car insurance at $4,769 per year on average. Ohio has the least expensive full coverage car insurance at $1,112 annually.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in South Carolina is $395. Connecticut has the most expensive car repair costs at $418.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Carolina require 2 license plates?
No, the State of South Carolina requires only one license plate which must be displayed clearly on the rear of the vehicle.
What is on South Carolina’s license plate?
Standard license plates in South Carolina have a classic design and feature a crescent and palmetto tree. The color theme is white and indigo. The plates carry the logo “While I Breathe, I Hope.” This series was introduced in 2015.
How much is car registration in South Carolina?
It costs $40 to register a passenger vehicle in South Carolina – this registration/license plate fee is valid for 2 years. In addition, there is a $15 title fee. If you have recently moved to South Carolina, you will have to pay a one-time Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) of $250 for your vehicle that was previously registered in another state.
Does South Carolina have vehicle inspections?
Starting January 1, 2018, the DMV in South Carolina requires all vehicles registered in the state to be inspected at least once a year and to properly display the DMV-approved certificate of inspection. The exception is house trailers. You need to provide this certificate of inspection when registering and titling a vehicle in South Carolina. All motor vehicles sold in the state are required to have a valid inspection stamp before delivery of the vehicle to the buyer.
What is the vehicle inspection fee in South Carolina?
Official inspection stations in South Carolina are permitted to charge a maximum of $10 for each inspection, including issuance of the certificate. However, this does not include the cost of repairs if a vehicle does not pass the inspection. After the repairs are done, if the vehicle is taken to the original inspection station, the fee will not be charged again.