License Plates

Beginning April 18, 2022, applications for military license plates will only be processed by mail at SCDMV Headquarters in Blythewood.

Customers who visit branch offices on and after April 18, 2022 to obtain a military plate will receive an Application for Military License Plate (MV-37) and further instructions to complete the application by mail.

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Current Regular License Plate

Introduced in late 2015, the "While I Breathe, I Hope" license plate, or the state's regular plate, has a classic design with a strong South Carolina theme. Like the state flag, the plate is white and indigo with a palmetto tree and crescent. These plates will gradually replace the existing "Sunrise" plates.

Regular passenger vehicles with valid registrations are identified by a color-coded decal in the lower right-hand corner of the plate. You can spot a vehicle with a valid registration depending on the color of the sticker and the month printed on the sticker. Vehicles that have a registration expiring and due for renewal in 2020 will have a white decal in the lower right-hand corner of the plate. Vehicles that have a registration expiring and due for renewal in 2021 will have a yellow decal in the lower right-hand corner.

The pattern of white then yellow then green stickers should continue until further notice.

While you may see some plates with a sticker on the left-hand side with simply a number, such as "8" to designate the eighth month of the year - August - this sticker is no longer required to have a valid registration since the month, year, and plate number is now printed on the color-coded sticker on the right-hand side of the plate.

Temporary License Plates

To obtain a traceable temporary license plate, you must bring in the title, bill of sale, or lease contract from the seller of the vehicle, plus a completed and signed Application to Issue or Replace 45-Day Temporary Plates (Form 45-A) to an SCDMV branch.