South Carolina License Plate Lookup

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) manages vehicle titling and registrations in the state. For new residents moving to South Carolina, you must register your vehicle within 45 days of moving to the state. If you have a valid driver’s license or ID, you must turn it in and apply for a South Carolina license or ID within 90 days of moving to the state. For those moving temporarily to South Carolina, such as college students or members of the armed forces, they need not apply for a license or ID as long as they have a valid out-of-state license or ID to drive around the state. With more and more people owning cars these days, vehicle theft is now a more major concern. In 2021, South Carolina experienced 15,680 cases of vehicle theft, a small 1.1 percent upsurge from the previous year. Even so, the financial impact of losing a vehicle is still significant.

In Case You Didn’t Know..

The state once had a “minnow” license plate for drivers under the age of 21. This distinctive license plate was designed to easily identify younger drivers on the road. The initiative was part of a broader strategy to promote safe driving habits among new and young drivers.

Although no longer in use, this initiative highlighted South Carolina’s proactive approach to road safety and driver education.

Where Can I Find My South Carolina Plate Number?

South Carolina only requires rear plates to be displayed. If you need to lookup your vehicle’s license plates but aren’t currently with your vehicle, you’ll find it on your registration card or other important documents.

Once you submit the required registration forms and payment of fees, a vehicle registration card will be sent to you

Acquiring a South Carolina License Plate

Before you can obtain license plates, you must first register and title your vehicle. If you purchased your car from a licensed dealership, they will typically handle the titling and registration process for you. If you bought your car elsewhere, you will need to bring the following documents to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV):

• A completed Title Application form
• For new residents, a completed Statement of Vehicle Operation in South Carolina form
• Signed vehicle title (if applicable)
• Lienholder details (if applicable)
• Odometer disclosure (if applicable)
• Infrastructure Maintenance Fee or Sales Tax, if applicable
• A signed Bill of Sale/Buyer’s Order, if applicable
• Payment of all fees and taxes

You can also mail the required items and payments to the SCDMV.

SCDMV
Titles and Registration
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0024

Once a car is registered, you only need to renew it every two years. For license plates, you’ll need to pay the “personal vehicle property taxes” in order to renew them and receive a new decal. Payment of these taxes and the associated renewal fees can be done at the county treasurer’s office.

You can obtain a traceable temporary license plate while the permanent plates are being prepared; you’ll need to furnish the “title, bill of sale, or lease contract from the seller of the vehicle” as well as a completed Application to Issue or Replace 45-Day Temporary Plates form.

South Carolina also uses color-coded decals placed on the lower right-hand corner of a license plate for the purposes of identifying valid registrations.

You can find additional information in the SCDMV’s website.

Further information can be found in the DOT’s freely accessible Motor Vehicle Registration Information manual.

What Types of License Plates Can You Get in South Carolina?

License plates follow the format of six alphanumeric characters in an “ABC 123” format.

Standard plates: These use the “While I Breathe, I Hope” license plate introduced in 2015.

Personalized plates: These plates have specific requirements in order to be mounted on a vehicle.

• The vehicle has an “empty weight of 9,000 pounds or less and a gross vehicle weight of 11,000 pounds or less”
• Limit of seven alphanumeric characters for cars and trucks (six for motorcycles and specialty plates)
• Blank spaces are considered a character
• Only the ampersand (&) special character is allowed
• Combinations can’t be vulgar, insulting or offensive in nature

Antique plates: These are issued to vehicles and motorcycles that are 25 years or older, and can only be used during special events and not for “general transportation.”

Veteran plates: These plates are issued to active duty and former members of the military, including disabled persons. Eligible persons may apply for plates based on the armed forces branch they served with (such as the Air Force) or if they were recipients of commendations such as the Purple Heart.

Specialty plates: These cater to people affiliated with various causes, organizations or institutions. Specialty plates available in the state include:

• Amateur radio plates
• Collegiate plates
• Organization plates (e.g., Lions International, Heritage Classic Foundation)
• Charitable cause plates (e.g., Autism Awareness, Breast Cancer Awareness)
• Conservation plates
• Patriotic plates