South Carolina License Plate Lookup
Get the full NHTSA vehicle report for any South Carolina plate — make, model, year, recalls, and crash safety ratings — free with no signup. Vehicle data only.
South Carolina DMV License Plate Quick Facts
| Agency | South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles |
| Issuance year | 1917 |
| Current format | ABC-D12 — Seven characters on the current 'In God We Trust' design: three letters, a dash, one letter, and two digits. South Carolina is a single-plate (rear-only) state. |
| Plates required | One (rear only) |
| Replacement fee | $6 |
| Registration validity | 2 years |
| Registered vehicles | 4.1M (approx.) |
| DMV contact | 1-803-896-5000 · www.scdmvonline.com |
How do I look up a South Carolina license plate?
Need a South Carolina DMV license plate lookup-style vehicle report? Use the SC license plate lookup tool above — same NHTSA data, no DMV trip required.
- 1Enter the South Carolina license plate number in the search field above. Spaces and dashes are optional.
- 2Confirm SC is selected in the state dropdown — plate numbers can repeat across states, so the state is required for accurate matching.
- 3Press Search Plate. You'll see make, model, year, trim, engine, open recalls, and NHTSA crash safety ratings in seconds.
What does a South Carolina license plate lookup reveal?
Every south carolina license plate lookup on this page returns NHTSA vehicle data instantly. Driver and registered-owner personal information is protected under the DPPA's 1994 federal restrictions and is not part of any free vehicle report.
This South Carolina license plate lookup returns vehicle information only — make, model, year, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database. We do not return the registered owner's name, address, phone number, email, driving record, or any other personal information about the driver. Personal driver and owner information is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not lawfully accessible through any free public lookup.
- check_circleMake, model, year, and trim
- check_circleBody style, doors, curb weight
- check_circleEngine size, cylinders, fuel type
- check_circleTransmission and drivetrain
- check_circleOpen NHTSA safety recalls
- check_circleNHTSA crash test ratings
- check_circleEPA fuel economy (MPG)
- check_circleManufacturing plant & country
- boltTitle brand history (salvage, flood, rebuilt)
- boltReported accident history
- boltOdometer rollback detection
- boltNumber of previous owners
- boltLien and loan history
- boltAuction & insurance records
- boltState of registration history
- boltTheft / total-loss records
Registered owner name, address, contact details, and driving records are protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and are not returned by this site or any other free public lookup. This tool provides vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, recalls, safety ratings, and EPA fuel economy — sourced from NHTSA and EPA public databases.
What does a South Carolina license plate format look like?
Seven characters on the current 'In God We Trust' design: three letters, a dash, one letter, and two digits. South Carolina is a single-plate (rear-only) state. The South Carolina license plate number lookup tool above accepts spaces, dashes, and historical South Carolina plate formats.
South Carolina license plate number lookup: format history
| Era | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1917–1976 | Sequential numeric / county-prefixed | 12-3456 |
| 1977–1985 | 3 letters + 3 digits ('Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places') | ABC 123 |
| 1986–2002 | 3 letters + 3 digits (palmetto tree, blue/white) | ABC 123 |
| 2003–2008 | 3 letters + 3 digits (refreshed palmetto) | ABC 123 |
| 2009–2016 | 3 letters + 3 digits ('In God We Trust' optional) | ABC 123 |
| 2017–present | 3 letters + 1 letter + 2 digits ('In God We Trust' palmetto) | ABC-D12 |
South Carolina license plate laws you should know
Below are the four laws that most often trip up South Carolina drivers. Rules are enforced at the stop, the inspection station, and at registration renewal.
Single plate state
South Carolina is a single-plate state. S.C. Code § 56-3-1240 requires every registered passenger vehicle to display only one license plate, on the rear of the vehicle. Decorative front plates are permitted.
Front plate rule
No front plate is required or issued for passenger vehicles in South Carolina. Drivers may legally display decorative front plates as long as they do not obstruct visibility or imitate official plates.
Registration stickers & display
South Carolina issues a registration decal affixed to the upper-right corner of the rear plate showing the month and year of expiration. Plates are valid for 2 years.
Inspection / smog check
South Carolina does NOT require statewide emissions testing or safety inspections for passenger vehicles. The state is one of a small number with no I/M program.
Types of South Carolina license plates
South Carolina issues dozens of plate designs. These are the main categories you'll encounter on the road or see at the DMV counter.
Standard SC / In God We Trust
Default rear-only plate with the palmetto tree and crescent moon design issued in the ABC-D12 format.
Personalized / Vanity
Up to 7 characters on the standard or specialty backgrounds. $100 every 2 years through SC DMV.
Disabled / Disabled Veteran
ISA wheelchair symbol; qualifies for accessible parking statewide. DV plates carry waived fees.
Military specialty
Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, POW, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Gold Star Family, and branch-specific plates.
Special interest
Clemson Tigers, USC Gamecocks, Carolina Panthers, environmental, lighthouse, and dozens of cause plates.
Antique / Year of Manufacture
Antique plates for vehicles 25+ years old; YOM plates allow restored era-correct plates on classic vehicles.
How much does a South Carolina license plate cost?
Typical South Carolina DMV fees for plates, registration, and related services. Always confirm current amounts on the official DMV site before paying.
| Biennial registration (passenger) | $80 ($40/year) |
| Replacement plate | $6 |
| Personalized plate | $100 every 2 years |
| Specialty plate | $30–$70 every 2 years (varies by plate) |
| Title fee | $15 |
| Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF, on title transfer) | 5% of sale price, capped at $500 |
Source: South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles — https://www.scdmvonline.com
What if my South Carolina plate is lost, stolen, or damaged?
Follow these steps to replace a South Carolina license plate. Do not keep driving with a missing plate — it is a citable offense in most states.
- 1File a police report immediately if the plate was stolen.
- 2Visit any SC DMV branch office or use the online portal at scdmvonline.com.
- 3Complete the Application for Replacement License Plate (Form 452) with vehicle information.
- 4Pay the $6 replacement fee.
- 5Most DMV branches issue replacement plates on the spot; online requests are mailed within 7–10 business days.
South Carolina DMV contact & privacy
Personal information tied to a South Carolina license plate — driver name, address, date of birth, phone number, email, and driving record — is protected by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not returned by this site. This page and the lookup tool provide vehicle-level data only: make, model, year, trim, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about South Carolina license plate lookups, DMV rules, and plate replacement.
How do I run a South Carolina license plate lookup?
Does South Carolina require a front license plate?
How much does a replacement South Carolina plate cost?
What is the current South Carolina license plate format?
Are South Carolina license plate records public?
Does South Carolina require emissions testing or inspections?
How do I get a personalized South Carolina plate?
How often do I renew my South Carolina registration?
Beyond SC plate lookup
Have a 17-digit VIN, want recall info, or need a full title history? Use any of these free tools — same NHTSA-grade data behind each one.
The bigger picture on South Carolina drivers
Statewide statistics and trend reports compiled from NHTSA, FBI UCR, IIHS, and CDC data — the same sources behind every SC plate lookup result.
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38M used vehicles sold in 2025 (~$1T market) — 2.4× the new-car market by units. Prices are 46% above 2020 baseline and unlikely to fully reverse.
Car Accident Statistics (2026)
16,700 crashes a day. 6.1M a year. 94% caused by human error. Motorcycles are 24× as deadly as cars per mile.
Self-Driving Car Statistics (2026)
71M+ Waymo miles, 6M+ Tesla FSD vehicles, 88% fewer injury crashes — but 61% of Americans still afraid.
Road Rage Statistics (2026)
80% of US drivers report rage. Gun-involved incidents up 160% since 2018.
Car Crash Statistics (2026 US Data)
42,795 annual deaths broken down by state, age, gender, and cause.
Car Theft Statistics (2026)
1M+ stolen cars per year — top models, worst states, recovery rates.
Drunk Driving Statistics (2026)
13,524 annual DUI deaths, arrest rates, BAC averages, state rankings.
Distracted Driving Statistics
Texting kills 3,300+ a year — phone use multiplies crash risk by 23x.
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