South Carolina

CURRENT SERIES 

(a)     The South Carolina passenger car plates preferred in current use were first issued in 2003 as a no-cost option (and are now the main choice).   They have a light blue and white background;  at the top is IN GOD WE TRUST above a horizontal line both in gold, at the bottom South Carolina in dark blue, with national and state flags in mid-registration.   The registration is black with three numerals to the left and one numeral and two letters to the right.
        The 1999 plate is reflective white shading to blue at the top, which is a mountain skyline, and the sides.   A palmetto tree is in the centre, South Carolina is at the bottom in blue, and at the top is the legend Smiling Faces. Beautiful Places in red.   The registration is black and serial with three numerals and three letters.
        Plates are revalidated biennially by means of month and year stickers in the lower corners;  only a rear plate is required.

 
(b)     The current personalized plates were issued in 1991:  South Carolina is at the bottom in blue on green grass, and Nothing Could Be Finer at the top on a green mountain skyline, with a two to seven character registration.
        The same design is used for various bodies designated by a legend, usually on two or three lines, at the left prefixing a low serial , see Table 3 (and for further photographs).

(d)     Antique vehicles have black on yellow plates with the state name above a serial number above ANTIQUE AUTO.   Antique motorcycles have blue on white plates with ANTIQUE at the bottom.

(f)     Commercial vehicle plates have either annual plates in varying colours with, at the top, 20 SOUTH CAROLINA 07 (etc.), or dated by a sticker, with the vehicle type at the bottom, see Table 1.   Registrations are usually of one letter and six numerals or two letters and five numerals.   Some vehicles, such as five year trailers, are dated EXP. NOV. 30 07.
        Handicapped persons have similar plain plates but with no vehicle type, only a boxed wheelchair symbol as a prefix.

(g)     Senior state officials also have annual plates but in different colours and with a graphic design at the left of a low serial number, see Table 2a;  SOUTH CAROLINA is at the top and the year embossed at the bottom.   (Those shown in lower case do not have the office as a legend on the plate.)
        Senior highway officials also have annual plates of a somewhat similar design, but with their office at the left (see Table 2b), a badge in the centre, and the low serial at the right. 

(h)     State Guard plates have that legend at the top in yellow on a blue band, South Carolina in white on a blue band at the bottom. The registration, in dark blue on white is SG and a serial number prefixed by the state seal.

(j)     Purple Heart medal holders have reflective white plates with, all in purple, South Carolina at the bottom, PURPLE HEART at the top in yellow on purple, and a medal prefixing a serial number.
        PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR plates have that legend prefixing a logo and a serial number (all in blue), with December 7, 1941 at the top and South Carolina at the bottom (in red), on a white ground.

(k)     Colleges and universities have their own plates of varying design but generally of a white ground, a coloured band with the college name at the top, South Carolina at the bottom, a logo at the left, and one or two letters (denoting the college) and up to four numerals.  About eighteen institutions participate in this programme.

(l)      Temporary plates are of paper with, in blue, 45 Day Plate South Carolina at the top, expiry date and VIN number written at the bottom, and a seven digit registration in the centre in red.

Top of page