SOUTH CAROLINA PLATE TYPES - SUMMARY CHRONOLOGICALLY BY INTRODUCTION DATE
(Types researched through 1987, except PSC through 1992)
PLATE TYPE EARLIEST SEEN BEGAN NOTES
Passenger 1917 1917 Act 163 P 2/20/1917
Dealer 1919 1917 Act 163 P 2/20/1917
Motorcycle 1917 1917 Act 163 P 2/20/1917
M/C Dealer 1964 1917? Listed 1921
Trailer 1926 1921 Act 602 P 3/10/1920
Truck 1921 1921 Act 602 P 3/10/1920
Replacement 1922 Regs. listed 1921
Temporary (Cardboard) 1922
Sample 1923
Private Bus 1926
Gov't. Owned 1928
State Highway Dept. 1928
Passenger Half Year 1934 1934 Act 389 P 5/22/1933
Common Carrier Bus 1935 1935
Common C. Bus Half Year 1935 1935
Common Carrier Taxi 1935 1935
Common C. Taxi Half Year 1935 1935
Common Carrier Truck 1940 1935
Common C. Truck Half Year 1935 1935
Private Bus Half Year 1935 1935
Truck Half Year 1935 1935
Gov't. Owned School Bus 1940
Trailer Half Year (1944 chart)1940 Act 317 P 7/1/1939
Gov't. Owned M/C (1944 chart)
Governor/Lt. Governor 1948
Disabled Veteran 1951 1951 Act 160 P 4/27/1951
Special Mobile Equipment 1952
U.S. Congress/Senate 1954 1952? Reportedly began 1952
House Trailer 1953
Unknown Type "ZIS" 1953
Amateur Radio 1956 1956 Act 300 P 5/14/1955
House Trailer Transporter(1959 chart) Act 914 P 4/18/1958
S.M.E. Half Year (1959 chart)
Farm Truck 1960 1960 Law P 1959
Utility Trailer 1960 1960 Law P 1959
Amateur Radio M/C 1966 Act 81 P 3/22/1963
Rescue 1966 Act 312 P 5/20/1965
Antique Auto UND. 1966? Act 986 P 5/10/1966
State Legislator/Senator 1966 1966
Gov't. Owned Perm. UND. 1968 Act 409 P 6/22/1967
Miss South Carolina 1968
Camper Trailer 1969 Act 1031 P 4/2/1968
Disabled 1969 1969 Act 1281 P 6/10/1968
National Guard 1969 1969 Act 1023 P 4/2/1968
Court 1972 1972 Act 215 P 4/28/1971
Former Governor 1972 1972 Act 215 P 4/28/1971
Gov't. Official 1972 1972 Act 215 P 4/28/1971
Personalized 1972 1972 Act 215 P 4/28/1971
State Commissions 1972 1972 Act 215 P 4/28/1971
State Executive (3 - 9) 1972 1972 Act 215 P 4/28/1971
Antique M/C UND. 1976? Act 565 P 4/29/1976
Foreign Consul 1982 Act 72 P 5/10/1977
Emergency Medical Tech. 1979 11/1/78 Act 613 P 7/23/1978
Trailer 5 Year (Dec.31,83) Act 470 P 4/17/1978
Utility Trailer 5 Year Nov.30,83 12/1/78 Act 470 P 4/17/1978
Former Prisoner of War 1979 Act 446 P 4/4/1978
Medal of Honor UND. Act 37 P 4/10/1979
Manufacturer/Repossessor 1984 Act 371 P 5/25/1982
Wholesaler 1984 1984 Act 118 P 6/15/1983
Wholesaler M/C (1985 chart) Act 511 P 6/28/1984
Volunteer Fireman (1985 chart) Act 512 P 6/28/1984
Apportioned Trailer (1986 chart)1986
Apportioned Truck (1986 chart)1986
Permanent Trailer (1986 chart) Act 201 P 1985
Permanent Utility Trailer(1986 chart) Act 201 P 1985
National Guard Retired 1987 10/1/86 Act 409 P 5/12/1986
U.S. Military Reserve "2 90" 10/1/86 Act 409 P 5/12/1986
Colleges/Universities 1987 3/15/87 Act 540 P 6/18/1986
Purple Heart "3 96" 12/1/87 Act 138 P 6/3/1987
PERMITS:
Public Service 1926 1925 Act 170 P 4/8/1925
Public Service Half Year DEC 34 1934?
Marine Resources 1970
LETTER KEY 1921-71:
A-G Passenger 1921-71 CG County Gov't. 1962-71
H-Q Truck 1921-71 DV Disabled Veteran 1951-64,
R Replacement 1922-59 Passenger 1965-71
S Private Bus 1926-37 HT House Trailer 1953-71
T Trailer 1926-27 MG Municipal Gov't. 1962-71
U Gov't. Owned School Bus 1940-61 SG State Gov't. 1962-71
V Gov't. Owned 1928-61 SME Special Mob. Equip. 1952-65
W State Highway Dep't. 1928-61 SM Special Mob. Equip. 1966-71
X Dealer 1921-71
Y Motorcycle Dealer 1921-71
Z Motorcycle 1921-71
DETAILED NOTES ALPHABETICALLY BY TYPE:
All are passenger colors 1917-75 unless noted.
All types annual plates 1976-87 unless noted.
[ ] = Number on DMV chart.
LEGENDS (Unless noted):
"1776 Bicentennial 1976" top, "SOUTH CAROLINA" bottom 1976,
"SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "1977" bottom 1977, 1979, 1981,
"1978" top, "SOUTH CAROLINA" bottom 1978, 1980,
"EXP NOV. 30th 82" top, "SOUTH CAROLINA" bottom 1982,
"SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "EXP NOV. 30th 83" bottom 1983,
"EXP NOV. 30 84" top, "SOUTH CAROLINA" bottom 1984,
"SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "EXP NOV. 30 85" bottom 1985,
"19 SOUTH CAROLINA 86" top 1986-87.
COLORS (Unless noted): 1976, 1980, 1984 Blue/White
1977, 1981, 1985 Red/White
1978, 1982, 1986 Green/White
1979, 1983, 1987 Black/White
1944 SUMMARY
Strips: Passenger, C.C. Taxi, C.C. Taxi Half Year,
Gov't. Owned, Gov't. School Bus, Highway
Dept., Replacement, Truck, Truck Half Year.
Full-size plates: C.C. Bus, C.C. Bus Half Year, Dealer,
Private Bus, Trailer, Trailer Half Year.
Small plates: Gov't. M/C, M/C, M/C Dealer.
COLORS: Black/White C.C. Bus plate, C.C. Taxi strip
Red/White C.C. Bus Half Year plate,
C.C. Taxi Half Year strip
Yellow/Green All other plates and strips
DECEMBER 1934 TYPES
The Columbia Record, 10/17/1934: "To operate on the highways
of South Carolina during the months of November and December
motor trucks or semi-trailer trucks having a gross weight of
more than 20,000 pounds, including the load, must display a
special two-months license to be issued by the state highway
department. After December 31 such vehicles will be banned on
the highways of this state...under a law passed in 1933.
"The resulting situation has made necessary the
preparation of two additional types of plates by the highway
department. There will be a special two months plate for
trucks, which will bear white letters on a black background
and the legend "expires December 31, 1934." The common
carrier trucks, that is trucks engaged in public hauling, will
be required...to display a tag with maroon letters on a white
background with the legend "expires December 31, 1934."
(Replacement seen. Also see note under Trailer.)
PASSENGER (See Passenger page)
AMATEUR RADIO
Act 626 P 3/18/1954, E 11/1/1954, but this law was repealed by
Act 300 P 5/14/1955, E 11/1/1955. Began 1956.
Passenger design 1956-78 except 1968 has "1968" bottom instead
of "AUTO". Flat serial 1956-58, embossed serial 1960-87.
1976-78 graphic baseplate replaced by 1979 annual plate.
Annual design 1979-87. "EXP 11/30" bottom 1986-87.
1984 White/Light Blue.
1956 W4AA - W4ZZZ (Verify 1959)
1961 K4AAA - K4ZZZ (Verify 1956-60)
1964 WA4AAA - WA4ZZZ (Verify 1962-63)
1969 WB4AAA - WB4ZZZ (Verify 1967-68)
AMATEUR RADIO MOTORCYCLE
Act 81 P 3/22/1963. Wording changed in Amateur Radio law from
"passenger vehicle" to "motor vehicle".
1966 #WA4DYC seen with flat screened serial.
1 listed in registration figures 1969.
ANTIQUE AUTO
Act 986 P 5/10/1966, E immediately. Began 1966?
Permanent undated plate issued to vehicles over 30 years old for
$10 fee. "SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "ANTIQUE AUTO" bottom.
Type 1 - Gold/Black, medium state name 518 - 1495 (978)
Type 2 - Gold/Black, large state name 1508 - 1945 (438)
Type 3 - Black/Tan, large state name 2001 -(2043?)
Type 4 - Black/Tan, medium state name 2166 - 3346 (1,181)
Type 5 - Black/Tan, small state name 4220 - 6904 (2,685)
(Flat 8325)
ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE
Act 565 P 4/29/1976, E immediately. Began 1976? Permanent
undated plate issued, "SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "ANTIQUE" bottom.
Black/Tan ZA 1079 - ZA 1209
APPORTIONED TRAILER
Began 1986. Earliest seen 1986 chart.
LEGENDS: "EXP APPORTIONED 12/31" bottom 1986-87.
1986 [TL70001]-
1987 [TL70001]- TL71283 (1,283)
APPORTIONED TRUCK
Began 1986. Earliest seen 1986 chart.
LEGENDS: "EXP APPORTIONED 12/31" bottom 1986-87.
1986 [P700001]-
1987 [P700001]- P701292 (1,292)
CAMPER TRAILER (See Table 3)
Act 1031 P 4/2/1968, E immediately. Earliest seen 1969.
Numbers probably began at #1001 1969-85, #10001 1986-87.
LEGENDS: Vertical "TRL" left 1969-84,
"19 CAMPER 69" bottom 1969, 1971-75, 1977, 1979, 1981,
"1670 CAMPER 1970" bottom 1970,
"1776 CAMPER 1976" top 1976,
"19 CAMPER 78" top 1978, 1980,
"EXP CAMPER 11/30" top, "19 SOUTH CAROLINA 82" bottom 1982, 1984,
"19 SOUTH CAROLINA 83" top, "EXP CAMPER 11/30" bottom 1983, 1985-87.
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Act 540, Part II, Section 11 P 6/18/1986.
Began 3/15/1987, expire "11 87".
Family of plates honoring 9 state colleges and universities.
Issued for $32 annual additional fee to private passenger vehicles.
All expire November 30 and have "11" and "87" screened in black.
Renewed with passenger stickers. No personalized issued.
Serial sequence: A22 101 - A22 999, B22 101 etc.
The Citadel [A22 527] Light Blue/White
Clemson University B23 798 Black and Red/White
College of Charleston A24 119 Red/White
Francis Marion College [A25 931] Red and Light Blue/White
Lander College [A26 456] Blue and Yellow/White
Medical University of S.C. [A27 435] Black and Yellow/White
S.C. State College A28 127 Blue and Red/White
University of S.C. A29 295 Black and Red/White
Winthrop College A30 102 Dark Red and Gold/White
COMMON CARRIER BUS (See Table 1)
Began 1935. Issued to buses operated for hire.
Full-size plate 1944. Legend spelled out starting 1952.
See note under Common Carrier Taxi about changes for 1952.
LEGENDS: No legend, "S" prefix 1935,
vertical "BUS" left, vertical "SC" right, "COMMON CARRIER 54"
bottom 1954, 1962, 1964, top 1955, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1965,
vertical "BUS" left, vertical "CC" right 1966-75, 1978-80, 1985,
"EXP DEC. 31 85" bottom 1985,
"EXP BUS 12/31" bottom, vertical "CC" right 1986-87.
(Verify 1936-53, 1956-58, 1960, 1976-77, 1981-84)
COLORS: Different from passenger before 1952:
White/Maroon 1935, White/Blue 1936, Yellow/Black 1937, Black/White 1944, Black/Silver 1946.
(Verify 1938-43, 1945, 1947-51)
1935 S-2-084 (Verify pair)
COMMON CARRIER BUS HALF YEAR (See Table 1)
Began 1935. Issued to buses operated for hire.
Full-size plate 1944. Legend spelled out starting 1952.
Last seen 1985. Not listed on 1986-87 charts.
LEGENDS: No legend, "S" prefix 1935, vertical "BUS" left 1945,
vertical "BUS" left, "SC" over "4/30" right, "COMMON CARRIER 54" bottom 1954, 1962, 1964,
vertical "BUS" left, "SC" over "4/30" right, "COMMON CARRIER 59" top 1959, 1963, 1965,
vertical "BUS" left, vertical "CC" right 1966-67, 1969-73, 1975, 1977, 1985.
(Verify 1936-44, 1946-53, 1955-58, 1960-61, 1968, 1974, 1976, 1978-79, 1980-84)
COLORS: Different from passenger before 1952:
Red/White 1935, 1944, Blue/White 1936, Green/Yellow 1945.
(Verify 1937-43, 1946-51)
1935 S-52-598 (Verify pair)
1945 50-442
COMMON CARRIER TAXI (See Table 1)
Began 1935. Issued to taxis operated for hire.
Legend spelled out starting 1952.
Passenger weight class letter prefix A-G 1944, 1970-71, B-G 1959-69.
Florence Morning News, 9/3/1951: "Something new will be added to
registration plates for carrier vehicles. Taxis previously have had
the same series of numbers as patrol cars, but with colors reversed.
Due to the resulting confusion, 1952 taxi plates will have the words
"common carrier" and "taxi." Bus plates will say "bus." All new
plates for common carriers and privately-owned vehicles will be the
same color, yellow on black."
LEGENDS: No legend, "A" to "G" prefix 1935,
vertical "TAXI" left, vertical "SC" right, "COMMON CARRIER 52" bottom even years 1952, 1956-64,
top odd years 1953-63,
vertical "TAXI" left 1965-85, "EXP TAXI 11/30" bottom 1986-87.
(Verify 1936-51, 1954, 1981)
COLORS: Different from passenger before 1952:
White/Maroon 1935, White/Blue 1936, Yellow/Black 1937, Red/White 1944 Tab, Black/Silver 1946.
(Verify 1938-43, 1945, 1947-51)
1935 C-671 (Pairs)
1960: E-1-212 - E-1-248 have no "S/C" due to extra hyphen; D-1545 normal.
COMMON CARRIER TAXI HALF YEAR
Began 1935. Issued to taxis operated for hire.
Last seen 1948. Discontinued by 1959.
LEGENDS: No legend, "A" to "G" prefix 1935-44.
COLORS: Different from passenger: Red/White 1935, 1944 Tab,
Blue/White 1936, Gold/Black 1943, Black/Yellow 1948.
(Verify 1937-42, 1945-47)
1944 tab numbers began at #50-001 in each class.
1935 C-50-600, D-50-294, G-50-106 (Pairs)
1937 D-50-035
1943 D-50-295
1948 D-50-214
COMMON CARRIER TRUCK
Began 1935. Only seen 1940. Issued to trucks operated for hire.
Discontinued by 1944.
LEGENDS: No legend, "N" prefix 1940.
COLORS: White/Maroon 1935, White/Blue 1936, Yellow/Black 1937, Black/Gold 1940.
(Verify 1938-39)
1940 N-179
COMMON CARRIER TRUCK HALF YEAR
Began 1935. Issued to trucks operated for hire.
Discontinued by 1944.
LEGENDS: No legend, "J" or "L" prefix 1935.
COLORS: Different from passenger: Red/White 1935, Blue/White 1936.
1935 J-50-400, L-50-885 (Pairs)
COURT
Act 215 P 4/28/1971. Began 1972.
Title below state name top, "19" bottom left, "72" bottom right
1972-75, title on two lines at left 1976, 1981, 1985-87.
No limit on number of plates per number as of 1974.
State Commissions design 1985-87.
CIRCUIT COURT FEDERAL COURT SUPREME COURT
1972 2 5
1973 [1 - 16] [1 - 5] [1 - 5]
1974 1 - 13 1 - 2 3 - 4
1975 [1 - 16] [1 - 5] [1 - 5]
1976 7A
ADDITIONAL COURT-RELATED TYPES:
1985-87 Appeals Court
1985-87 Assistant U.S. Attorney
1987 Chief Justice of Supreme Court
1986-87 Circuit Court At Large
1977-87 Circuit Solicitor (termed "District Attorney" in other states)
1985-87 Clerk of Court
1985-87 Family Court
1987 Federal Administrative Law Judge
1987 Register of Mesne Conveyances
1986-87 U.S. Attorney
DEALER
Act 163 P 2/20/1917, E 7/1/1917. Began 1917. Earliest seen
1919. Full-size plate 1944.
LEGENDS: Vertical "DEALER" right 1919-20,
(no legend reported 1921, "DEMONSTRATION PLATE" reported 1922),
"DEMONSTRATION" top, shorter serial dies 1923,
"DEMONSTRATION" bottom on taller plate 1924-27,
no legend, "X" prefix 1928-60,
"SC-DEALER-61" top 1961, 1963, bottom 1962, 1964,
stepped "DEALER" left 1965,
"DEA/LER" left 1966-67,
"19 DEALER 68" bottom 1968-69, 1971-75, 1977, 1979, 1981, top 1978, 1980,
"1670 DEALER 1970" bottom 1970
"1776 DEALER 1976" top 1976,
"EXP DEALER 12/31" top, "19 SOUTH CAROLINA 82" bottom 1982, 1984,
"19 SOUTH CAROLINA 83" top, "EXP DEALER 12/31" bottom 1983, 1985-87.
(Verify 1917-18, 1921-22)
COLORS: Passenger colors 1917-21, 1927-75, Red/White 1922, White/Maroon 1923,
White/Blue 1924, Green/White 1925, White/Red 1926, Annual colors 1980-87.
Long slots continue 1961-67, short slots 1968-75.
Numbers began at 1 or X-1 1919-71, XAA 101 1972-85, XX10001 1986-87;
only numbers 101 - 150 used 1972-75, 101 - 200 1976-85.
Assuming no Q used, no I,O,Q in 3rd position 1972-75,
no I,O,P,Q,U,Y used 1976-85.
1975: XUS 150 highest assigned (22,650).
1944: X-2-036 restamped.
1961: X-2 no legend, 38 - 9-163 "DEALER".
1970: X 38 - X 193 holes, X 3213 - X 13707 slots.
1917 1936 X-1-556 1955 X-7-521
1918 1937 1956 X-11-969
1919 3-976 1938 X-1-909 1957 X-12-325
1920 605 1939 1958 X-6-364
1921 (X) 1940 X-89 1959 X-11-126
1922 1941 X-1-598 1960 X11-718
1923 1294 1942 X-2-619 1961 9-163
1924 X 2-239 1943 X-2-700 1962 11-439
1925 X 2-389 1944 X-2-036 1963 11-754
1926 X 2-149 1945 X-8 1964 13-469
1927 X 1-785 1946 1965 14-203
1928 X-2-035 1947 X-3-658 1966 13472
1929 X-2-375 1948 X-4-305 1967 13739
1930 X-1-077 1949 X-3-571 1968 X 12966
1931 X-1 1950 X-430 1969 X 13305
1932 X-786 1951 X-4-503 1970 X 13707
1933 1952 X-7-888 1971 X 15039
1934 X-1-183 1953 X-6-504
1935 1954 X-7-661
1972 XOA 115 (16,115) 1980 XRG 140 (26,640)
1973 XRX 133 (19,433) 1981 XKS 131 (19,431)
1974 XRB 115 (18,465) 1982 XSX 184 (29,884)
1975 XRE 149 (18,649) 1983 XLB 166 (20,166)
1976 XLL 142 (20,876) 1984 XMF 118 (22,518)
1977 XMV 200 (23,700) 1985 XRH 116 (26,716)
1978 XNL 148 (25,048) 1986 XX28859 (18,859)
1979 XNW 188 (25,788) 1987 XX39806 (29,806)
DISABLED (See Table 2)
Act 1281 P 6/10/1968. Began 1969.
Numbers probably began at #W 1001 1969-77, #1001 1978-87.
LEGENDS: "19 DISABLED 69" bottom 1969, 1971-75, 1977, 1979, 1981,
"1670 DISABLED 1970" bottom 1970,
"1776 DISABLED 1976" top 1976,
"19 DISABLED 78" top 1978, 1980,
wheelchair inside box left 1978-87,
"EXP NOV. 30th 82" bottom 1982,
"EXP 11/30" bottom 1986-87.
(Verify 1972)
DISABLED VETERAN (See Table 2)
Act 160 P 4/27/1951. Began 1951.
Numbers began at #1-001 all years, although 1966 #V 30 seen.
(DV prefix became passenger 1965-71.)
Act 72 P 5/14/1979, E immediately, provided for Permanent base.
LEGENDS: No legend, "D-V" prefix 1951, "DV" prefix 1952-64,
"SC D.VETERAN 65" top 1965, 1967,
"SC D.VETERAN 66" bottom 1966,
"19 D.VETERAN 68" bottom 1968-69, 1971-75, 1977, 1979, top 1978, 1980,
"1670 D.VETERAN 1970" bottom 1970, "1776 D.VETERAN 1976" top 1976,
"D.VETERAN" top, "South Carolina" bottom UND. Permanent base.
(Verify 1957)
COLORS: Red and Blue/White and Light Blue UND. Permanent base.
UND. PERMANENT BASE (1981?-87) V 1138 - V 2907, V3564
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN
Act 613 P 7/23/1978. Began 11/1/1978, expire "1979".
LEGENDS: "19 EMT 79" bottom, top 1980,
"EXP EMT 10/31" top, "19 SOUTH CAROLINA 84" bottom 1984,
"19 SOUTH CAROLINA 85" top, "EXP EMT 10/31" bottom 1985-87.
(Verify 1981-83)
1979 1035 1982 1985 [1100]
1980 1036 1983 1986 [EM10001]
1981 1984 1013 1987 [EM10001]
FARM TRUCK (See Table 3)
Law P 1959. Began 1960.
Numbers probably began at #1-001 1960-79.
LEGENDS: Vertical "TRK" left, "SC - FARM 60" bottom 1960,
"SC FARM TRUCK 61" top 1961, 1963, bottom 1962, 1964,
vertical "FARM" left all 1965-85,
"SC TRUCK 65" top 1965, 1967 Type 1, bottom 1966,
"19 TRUCK 67" bottom 1967 Type 2, 1968-69, 1971-75, 1977, 1979, 1981, top 1978, 1980,
"1670 TRUCK 1970" bottom 1970,
"1776 TRUCK 1976" top 1976,
"EXP DEC. 31st 82" top 1982, bottom 1983,
"EXP DEC. 31 84" top 1984, bottom 1985,
"EXP FARM 12/31" bottom 1986-87.
Act 374 P 6/8/1965 provided for up to 8 tons.
Act 1019 P 4/9/1970 provided for up to 10 tons.
Act 83 P 5/30/1979 listed 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 tons.
Unknown if any number block assignments still continued.
Weight classes:
1964: Only issued up to 6 tons.
1966?-75: Numbers up to #15-000 = Up to 6 tons.
#20-001 - 25-000 = Up to 8 tons.
1971-75: #30-001+ = Up to 10 tons.
1965: 9809 no hyphen, 10-079 hyphen.
1967: Old dies ("SC") 11116
New dies ("SOUTH CAROLINA") 21278
FOREIGN CONSUL
Act 72 P 5/10/1977. Earliest seen 1982.
LEGENDS: "FOREIGN/CONSUL" left 1982, 1985-86,
State Commissions design 1985-86.
1982 3 1986 [1]
1985 [6]
FORMER GOVERNOR
Act 215 P 4/28/1971. Began 1972. Only issued upon request.
No limit on number of plates per issue as of 1974.
"GOVERNOR" above dates served center, no serial 1972-75.
"1951-55" 1972, 1973, 1975
"1965-71" [1973], 1974, [1975]
FORMER PRISONER OF WAR
Act 446 P 4/4/1978. Earliest seen 1979.
Act 176 P 8/27/1981, E immediately, provided for Permanent base.
LEGENDS: "19 POW 79" bottom 1979, 1981, top 1980,
"EXP EX POW 11/30" top, "19 SOUTH CAROLINA 82" bottom 1982,
"PERMANENT" top, "South Carolina" bottom, graphic design 1983-87.
COLORS: Red and Blue/White and Light Blue 1983-87 base.
1979 1174 1981 1366
1980 1320 1982 1138
1983-87 UND. PERMANENT BASE POW1494 - POW3710
GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL
Act 215 P 4/28/1971. Began 1972.
No legend, "CG", "MG" or "SG" prefix 1972-79.
1972 SG 38
1973 MG 185, SG 31
1974 SG 21
1975 [MG 25], [SG 60]
1976 SG 108
1979 SG 2
GOVERNMENT OWNED (1962-79: See Table below)
Earliest seen 1928. Issued to government-owned trucks and
trailers 1944, all government-owned vehicles 1959-67,
government-owned passenger cars only 1968-79.
LEGENDS: No legend, "V" prefix 1928-61,
no legend, "CG", "MG" or "SG" prefix on annual plates 1962-75, graphic base 1976-78.
1968 "AUTO" bottom.
Numbers began at V-1, CG-1 or CGA 101, etc., all years.
1973: CGP 250, MGN 250, SGZ 250 highest allotted.
1975: CGV 250, MGU 250, SGZ 250 highest allotted.
1928 V-718 1940 1952
1929 1941 1953 V-4-085
1930 1942 1954
1931 1943 1955 V-2-560
1932 V-1-172 1944 1956 V-3-796
1933 V-1-160 1945 1957 V-4-295
1934 1946 1958 V-3-049
1935 V-223 1947 1959 V-5-935
1936 1948 V-1-843 1960 V-6-261
1937 1949 1961 V-3-943
1938 V-1-199 1950
1939 1951
GOVERNMENT OWNED MOTORCYCLE (1962-79: See Table below)
Earliest listed 1944 chart. Earliest seen 1949.
No letter prefix 1944-49, numbers probably below 100 (1945-47
Motorcycle #1000+ also have no prefix). Not listed 1959.
LEGENDS: No legend, "CG", "MG" or "SG" prefix 1962-79,
"SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "PERMANENT" bottom 1968-87.
CG not listed 1964.
Annual plates 1962-67, permanent base 1968-87 (1966-87 for SG).
1949 83
GOVERNMENT OWNED PERMANENT
Act 409 P 6/22/1967. Began 1968. Issued to Buses, Trailers and
Trucks.
Undated, "SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "PERMANENT" bottom 1968-79,
Undated, "PERMANENT" top, "South Carolina" bottom, graphic design
1980-87.
Regional Government added by 1985, RG10056 - RG11889.
COUNTY MUNICIPAL STATE CG M/C MG M/C SG M/C
1962 CG-4-349 MG-3-655 SG-7-107 SG903
1963 CG-3-297 MG-3-748 SG-8-739 MG995 SG905
1964 CG-4557 [MG-3-500] SG13993 [MG999] [SG905]
1965 CG-2961 MG-1700 SG15425 MG999 SG909
1966 CG 4979 MG 3308 SG15593 MG865 -
1967 CG 3891 MG 4309 SG15900 (Rep.) MG 1180 -
1968 MG 1672 SG 6214 - - -
1969 CG 1606 MG 2419 SG 5144 - - -
1970 CG 2414 MG 1985 SG 6173 - - -
1971 CG 2466 MG 2317 SG 5131 - - -
1972 MGC 122 - - -
1973 CGP 116 MGN 140 SGZ 230 - - -
1974 SGV 206 - - -
1975 [CGV 250] [MGU 250] SGT 105 - - -
1976 CGJ 103 MGD 200 SGM 265 - - -
BLACK CG 9504 MG 9425 SG 1976 [CG 1001] MG 1402 [SG 1012]
PERM. CG14485 MG12347 SG17492 MG 1447
1980 CG15284 MG11232 SG25280 [CG 1048] [MG 1300] [SG 1100]
PERM. CG56726 MG20790 SG54166
GOVERNMENT OWNED SCHOOL BUS
Earliest seen 1940. No legend, "U" prefix 1940-59.
Last seen 1959 chart. Last reported 1961.
Probably discontinued 1962; replaced by CG, MG or SG.
1940 U-47 1948 U-1-458 1956 U-4-498
1941 1949 1957
1942 U-832 1950 1958
1943 1951 1959 [U-6-000]
1944 TAB U-922 1952 1960
1945 1953 U-2-221 1961
1946 U-718 1954
1947 U-836 1955
GOVERNOR/LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Earliest seen 1948. (Governor assigned #E-1 in 1928 and 1929.)
Personalized design 1979-80, 1984-85,
Red/White with "SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "EXP NOV. 30 86" bottom 1986,
Red/White with "SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "1987" bottom 1987.
LEGENDS: No legend, no prefix 1948-75.
Governor: "GOVERNOR" below state seal left 1976, 1979-80, 1985-87.
Lt. Gov.: No legend, larger state seal left 1984-87.
NUMBERS: (#3 - 9 listed under State Executive)
Governor: #1 seen 1948, 1952, 1955, 1966, 1969-73, 1975-76, 1979
Lt. Gov.: #2 seen 1965, 1971-74
First Lady added by 1987, issued to Governor's wife.
"FIRST/LADY" screened left, larger state seal center, #1.
HOUSE TRAILER (See Table 2)
Earliest seen 1953.
LEGENDS: No legend, "HT" prefix 1953-77, 1985,
"EXP TRAILER 11/30" bottom 1986-87.
(Verify 1955, 1961, 1978-84)
HOUSE TRAILER TRANSPORTER (See Table 2)
Act 914 P 4/18/1958, E immediately. Earliest seen 1959 chart.
LEGENDS: "HT" prefix 1959-78, "HTT" prefix 1985, "HC" prefix 1986-87,
"TRANSPORTER 59" top, vertical "SC" right 1959,
"SC-TRANSPORTER 60" bottom 1960, 1962, 1964, top 1965,
"SC TRANSPORTER 67" top 1967,
"19 TRANSPORTER 68" bottom 1968, 1971-75, 1977, top 1978,
"1670 TRANSPORTER 1970" bottom 1970,
"1776 TRANSPORTER 1976" top 1976,
"EXP TRANSPORTER 11/30" bottom 1985-87.
("TRANSPORTER" appears screened on 1959 chart; embossed 1962-87.)
(Verify 1961, 1963, 1966, 1969, 1979-84)
MANUFACTURER/REPOSSESSOR
Act 371 P 5/25/1982, E immediately. Earliest seen 1984.
LEGENDS: "EXP TRANSPORTER 12/31" top, "19 SOUTH CAROLINA 84" bottom,
vertical "MFG" followed by vertical "REPO" 1984,
"19 SOUTH CAROLINA 85" top, "EXP DEALER 12/31" bottom,
vertical "MFG" followed by vertical "REPO" 1985,
"EXP M/R DEALER 12/31" bottom 1986-87.
1984 1242 1986 [MR10001]
1985 [1100] 1987 MR10043
MEDAL OF HONOR
Act 37 P 4/10/1979. Earliest seen 1986 chart.
Permanent undated base, Red and Blue/White and Light Blue,
"MEDAL OF/HONOR" left, #2.
MISS SOUTH CAROLINA
Earliest seen 1968, passenger design with #MISS SC".
Titleholder first given special car 1959.
Year is the serial number "1970" to "1974", "77", "'82", "1986".
State Commissions design 1982, 1986.
LEGENDS: "MISS/SOUTH CAROLINA" top 1970-71, 1973-74,
"MISS/SOUTH/CAROLINA" left, graphic design 1977,
"MISS/SOUTH/CAROLINA" left 1982, 1986.
MOTORCYCLE (See Motorcycle page)
Act 163 P 2/20/1917. Began 1917.
MOTORCYCLE DEALER
May have begun 1917. Listed 1921. Earliest seen 1964.
No legend, "Y" prefix 1921-71, "X" prefix 1972-85, "XZ"
prefix 1986-87. Motorcycle design all years except "12-31"
instead of "11-30" 1982-87. New plate 1944.
Numbers probably began at #1001 1959-87.
1959 [Y-1014] 1969 Y 1094 1979 X 1533
1960 1970 Y 1019 1980 X 1525
1961 1971 Y 1039 1981 X 1314
1962 1972 1982 X 1406
1963 1973 [X 1200] 1983 X 1415
1964 Y-1020 1974 1984 X 1235
1965 Y 1029 1975 [X 1450] 1985 X 1056
1966 Y 1019 1976 X 1177 1986 XZ 1359
1967 Y 1091 1977 1987 XZ 1323
1968 1978 X 1518
NATIONAL GUARD
Act 1023 P 4/2/1968. Began 1969. (1946 #GUARDS seen; unknown use.)
LEGENDS: "19 NATIONAL GUARD 69" bottom 1969, 1971-75, 1977, 1979, 1981, top 1978, 1980,
(soldier graphic added left 1971-87),
"1670 NATIONAL GUARD 1970" bottom 1970,
"1776 NATIONAL GUARD 1976" top 1976,
"EXP NATIONAL GUARD 11/30" top, "19 SOUTH CAROLINA 82" bottom 1982, 1984,
"19 SOUTH CAROLINA 83" top, "EXP NATIONAL GUARD 11/30" bottom 1983, 1985-87.
Numbers probably began at #1000 or 1001 all years.
1975: 1000 = Adjutant General (no longer State Executive #8)
1001 - 1350 = Officers
2000 - 2300 = Air Guard
3001 - 6500 = All other members
1969 9106 1974 3754 1979 4927 1984 5743
1970 5594 1975 5236 1980 5928 1985 4468
1971 5194 1976 5888 1981 4972 1986 3424
1972 5855 1977 3927 1982 3313 1987 5370
1973 5398 1978 5694 1983 4115
NATIONAL GUARD RETIRED
Act 409 P 5/12/1986. Began 10/1/1986, expire "10/31 87". Same as National
Guard but vertical "RET" before serial, 10/31 instead of 11/30 expiration.
1987 1175
PASSENGER HALF YEAR (See Passenger page)
Act 389 P 5/22/1933. Began 1934. Discontinued 1937.
PERMANENT TRAILER
Act 201, Part II, Section 71 P 1985. Earliest seen 1986 chart.
Permanent base with "TP" prefix, #TP13888.
PERMANENT UTILITY TRAILER
Act 201, Part II, Section 71 P 1985. Earliest seen 1986 chart.
Permanent base with "UP" prefix, #UP14361.
PERSONALIZED
Act 215 P 4/28/1971. Began 1972.
2-7 characters allowed for $15 extra annual fee.
Ampersand allowed; earliest seen 1974.
1976-78 graphic base followed by 1979 annual plate.
LEGENDS: "SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "1979" bottom 1979, 1981,
"1980" top, "South Carolina" bottom, graphic design 1980,
"EXP NOV. 30th 82" top, "SOUTH CAROLINA" bottom 1982, some 1984,
"EXP NOV. 30th 83" top, "South Carolina" bottom, graphic design 1983,
"EXP NOV. 30 84" top, "SOUTH CAROLINA" bottom some 1984,
Passenger design with painted border, "NOV" and "85" stickers 1985,
"SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "EXP NOV. 30 86" top 1986,
"EXP NOV. 30 87" top, "South Carolina" bottom, graphic design 1987.
COLORS: Blue/White and Light Blue 1980, 1983, 1987,
White/Light Blue 1984, Passenger colors 1985,
White/Light Green 1986.
PRIVATE BUS (See Table 1)
Earliest seen 1926.
Issued to school buses, church buses, etc.
LEGENDS: No legend, "S" prefix 1926-36,
vertical "BUS" left 1940-85,
"EXP DEC. 31st 82" top 1982, bottom 1983,
"EXP DEC. 31 84" top 1984, bottom 1985,
"EXP BUS 12/31" bottom 1986-87.
(Verify 1927, 1929, 1931-35, 1937-39, 1941-43, 1945-49, 1952-56, 1958-60, 1963-64, 1969)
COLORS: Passenger colors all years, unlike Common Carrier Bus.
1926 S 712
1928 S-432
1930 S-1-909
1936 S-3-159
PRIVATE BUS HALF YEAR
Began 1935. Not listed on 1944 chart.
LEGENDS: No legend, "S" prefix 1935, 1937.
COLORS: Passenger Half Year colors 1935.
1935 S-51-172
1937 S-53-058
PURPLE HEART
Act 138 P 6/3/1987. Began 12/1/1987.
Purple/White, "SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "PURPLE HEART" bottom, embossed
medal left, #10335.
REPLACEMENT
Registration figures listed 1921. Earliest seen 1922.
Last seen 1959. Not listed 1964 chart.
LEGENDS: No legend, "R" prefix 1922, 1928, 1931-34,
"REPLACEMENT" top, shorter serial dies 1923,
"REPLACEMENT" bottom on taller plate 1924-27,
"SC DEC 31 34" bottom, 1935-style border December 1934,
no legend, "R" before class letter 1936-59.
(Verify 1921, 1929-30, 1935)
By 1953, numbers began at #1-001 on all types, and by 1956,
passenger start further advanced to #10 001. 1947 #RD-926 seen.
1921 1927 R 575 1933 R-1-154
1922 R1-020 1928 R-2-347 1934 APR R-5-110
1923 563 1929 R-5-339
1924 R 1-990 1930 1934 OCT R-95
1925 R 2-373 1931 R-3-461 1934 DEC R-10-027
1926 R 1-882 1932 R-1-036 1935?
RESCUE
Act 312 P 5/20/1965, E immediately. Earliest seen 1966.
Numbers probably began at 1001 all years.
LEGENDS: "SC RESCUE 66" bottom 1966, top 1967,
"19 RESCUE 68" bottom 1968-69, 1971-75, 1977, 1979, top 1978, 1980,
"1670 RESCUE 1970" bottom 1970,
"1776 RESCUE 1976" top 1976,
"EXP RESCUE 11/30" top, "19 SOUTH CAROLINA 84" bottom 1984,
"19 SOUTH CAROLINA 85" top, "EXP RESCUE 11/30" bottom 1985-87.
(Verify 1981-83)
1965? 1973 [1150] 1981
1966 1022 1974 1104 1982
1967 1044 1975 1018 1983
1968 1026 1976 1126 1984 1065
1969 1020 1977 1078 1985 1134
1970 1067 1978 1046 1986 RC10238
1971 [1010] 1979 1037 1987 [RC10001]
1972 1029 1980 1050
SAMPLE
Earliest seen 1923. (Verify 1925)
1923-24 A00-000 1941 A-00000 1968 AA 0000
1926-27 A 00-000 1941-43 A-00-000 1969-70 SC 0000
1928-33 A-00-000 1944 TAB A- 00-000 1971 SC 0000
APR 34 A-00-000 1945-56 A-00-000 1972-73 SAM 000
OCT 34 A-00-000 1947 A 00 000 1974-75 AAA 000
APR 35 A-00-000 1958-64 A-00-000
OCT 35 A 00000 1965 SAMPLE
APR 36 A-00-000 1966 A 0000,
OCT 36 A-00-000 SC 0000
1937-40 A-00-000 1967 SAMPLE
1976-80 AAA 000, SAM 000, SAM PLE, SAMPLE
1981-85 SAMPLE, SAM 000
1986-90 SAMPLE, SAM 000
SPECIAL MOBILE EQUIPMENT (See Table 2)
Earliest seen 1952.
LEGENDS: No legend, "SME" prefix 1952-65, "SM" prefix 1966-87,
"EXP DEC. 31st 82" top 1982, bottom 1983,
"EXP DEC. 31 84" top 1984, bottom 1985,
"EXP 12/31" bottom 1986-87.
(Verify 1953-57, 1960-61)
SPECIAL MOBILE EQUIPMENT HALF YEAR (See Table 2)
Earliest seen 1959 chart. Last seen 1985 chart.
LEGENDS: No legend, "SME" prefix 1959-65, "SM" prefix 1966-75, 1980, 1985.
(Verify 1959-61, 1964, 1966-69, 1974, 1976-79, 1981-84)
STATE COMMISSIONS
Act 215 P 4/28/1971. Began 1972. Issued to officials serving on
state agencies, boards, commissions and institutions.
No limit on number of plates per number as of 1974.
1976-78 graphic base followed by 1979 annual plate.
In 1986, 803 plates were issued in 110 categories, and at least four
people must commit to buy one for a new category to be approved.
Commissions listed on 1985-87 charts.
LEGENDS: Title below state name top, "19" bottom left, "72" bottom right 1972-75,
title name in two or three lines at left 1976-87,
graphic design 1976-78, annual design 1979, 1981-82, 1984-85,
"1980" top, "South Carolina" bottom, graphic design 1980, 1987,
"EXP NOV. 30th 83" top, "South Carolina" bottom, graphic design 1983,
Undated, "SOUTH CAROLINA" top 1986.
COLORS: Black/White 1979, Blue on White and Light Blue 1980, 1983, 1987,
Red/White 1981, Green/White 1982, White/Light Blue 1984,
Blue/White 1985, White/Light Green 1986.
All plates have different legends as follows (listed as appears on 1973, 1975 charts):
"SCAC COMMISSIONER" (1973), "AERONAUTICS COMMISSION" [1975 #1]
"BOARD OF CORRECTIONS" [1975 #2]
"BOARD OF PHARMACY" [1975 #3]
"BOARD OF YOUTH SERVICES" [1975 #4]
"CLEMSON UNIVERSITY" [1975 #12]
"SCDB CHAIRMAN" [1973] (none 1975)
"SCDB COMMISSIONER" 1973 #4, "DEVELOPMENT BOARD" [1975 #16]
"SCESC COMMISSIONER" (1973, none 1975)
"EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMM" [1973 #3], 1974 #1, [1975 #3]
"HEALTH & ENV BOARD" [1975 #5]
"HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER" (1973 #1 - 16), 1974 #12, 1975 #1 - [6]
"HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER AT LARGE" 1973 #1 [- 2], [1975 #1]
"FORMER HIGHWAY COMM" [1973 #4D], [1975 #2D]
"HUMAN AFFAIRS COMM." [1975 #7]
"INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION" [1973 #4], [1975 #8]
"SCID COMMISSIONER" (1973), "INSURANCE COMMISSION" [1975 #5]
"SCMU COMMISSIONER" 1972 #11, (1973), "MEDICAL UNIVERSITY"
1974 #1 White/Maroon, [1975 #9]
"SCDMH COMMISSIONER" (1973), "MENTAL HEALTH COMM" [1975 #8]
"SCDMR CHAIRMAN" 1972 #1
"SCDMR COMMISSIONER" (1973), "MENTAL RETARD. COMM."
1974 #1 White/Maroon, [1975 #2]
"SCMC COMMISSIONER" (1973 Military College, none 1975)
"SCPRT COMMISSIONER" (1973), "PARKS REC & TOURISM" [1975 #3]
"SCPA CHAIRMAN" 1972 #1
"SCPA COMMISSIONER" (1973), "PORTS AUTHORITY" [1975 #4]
"SCPSC COMMISSIONER" 1972 #1, "PUBLIC SERVICE COMM"
[1973 #6], 1974 #1, 1975 #1 -[5]
"SCTEC COMMISSIONER" 1973 #5 (Technical Education
Commission, none 1975)
"THE CITADEL" [1975 #10]
"UNIVERSITY OF S.C." [1975 #11]
"WILDLIFE & MARINE RES." 1974 #1, [1975 #1]
STATE EXECUTIVE
Act 215 P 4/28/1971. Began 1972. May or may not have office
legend 1972-75. No limit on number of plates per number as of 1974.
(#1 and 2 listed under Governor/Lt. Governor)
LEGENDS: Title below state name top, "19" bottom left, "72" bottom right 1972-75.
Those with no legend are in passenger design 1972-75.
Large state seal left 1985-87. Personalized design 1985,
Red/White with "SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "EXP NOV. 30 86" bottom 1986,
Red/White with "SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "1987" bottom 1987.
LEGEND NO LEGEND
3 = "SECRETARY OF STATE" [1973], 1974 1974, [1975]
4 = "STATE TREASURER" 1972, [1973] 1974
5 = "ATTORNEY GENERAL" 1973, 1974 1972, 1974
6 = "COMPTROLLER GENERAL" 1972, [1973], 1974 1974, 1976
7 = "DEPT. OF EDUCATION" 1973 1972, 1974
8 = "ADJUTANT GENERAL" 1972, 1973 1974
9 = "DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE" [1973] 1974
#8 discontinued 1975; replaced by National Guard #1000; back by 1985.
Assignments 1985-87: 3 = Secretary of State, 4 = State Treasurer,
5 = Comptroller, 6 = Attorney General, 7 = Department of Education,
8 = Adjutant General, 9, 9A = Department of Agriculture.
STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Earliest seen 1928. Issued to State Highway Department-owned
trucks and trailers 1944. No legend, "W" prefix 1928-59.
Last seen 1960. Last reported 1961.
Probably discontinued 1962; replaced by SG.
LEGENDS: No legend, "W" prefix 1928-60.
(1972: HWA-HWZ reported; HWU 171 seen.)
1928 W-2-211 1940 1952
1929 1941 1953 W-2-413
1930 1942 1954
1931 1943 1955 W-2-761
1932 1944 TAB 1956
1933 W-787 1945 1957
1934 1946 1958 W-3-350
1935 1947 1959 W-3-154
1936 W-973 1948 1960 W-2-008
1937 1949 1961
1938 W-958 1950
1939 W-1-209 1951
STATE LEGISLATOR/SENATOR
Began 1966.
State House: 124 members 1966-2016.
State Senate: 27 districts with 50 members 1966, 20 districts
with 46 members 1967-71, 16 districts with 46 members 1972-83,
46 single-member districts 1984-2016.
No limit on number of plates per number as of 1974.
State Legislator #10A seen 1975.
Bill P by House 4/25/1978 to allow either "STATE LEGISLATOR" or
"HOUSE MEMBER" legend; went to Senate.
House Speaker added by 1982; always #1.
LEGENDS - LEGISLATOR:
"SC" bottom left, "STATE/LEGISLATOR" bottom center, "66" bottom right 1966-67,
"STATE LEGISLATOR" top below state name, "19" bottom left, "68" bottom right 1968-75,
"STATE/LEGISL'R" left, graphic design 1976-78,
"HOUSE/MEMBER" left 1979 (unissued 1976 also seen),
"19 LEGISLATOR 80" top, "South Carolina" bottom, graphic design 1980,
"SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "19 LEGISLATOR 81" bottom 1981, 1983, 1985-86,
"19 LEGISLATOR 82" top, "SOUTH CAROLINA" bottom 1982, 1984.
LEGENDS - SENATOR:
"SC" bottom left, "STATE/SENATOR" bottom center, "66" bottom right 1966-67,
"STATE SENATOR" top below state name, "19" bottom left, "68" bottom right 1968-75,
"STATE/SENATOR" left, graphic design 1976-78,
"STATE/SENATOR" left, annual design 1979-87,
"1980" top, "South Carolina" bottom, graphic design 1980,
"SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "1983" bottom 1983, 1985 #29, 1987,
"1984" top, "SOUTH CAROLINA" bottom 1984,
"SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "EXP NOV. 30 85" bottom 1985 #27, 1986.
LEGENDS - HOUSE SPEAKER:
"1982" top, "SOUTH CAROLINA" bottom, "HOUSE/SPEAKER" right 1982,
"SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "1985" bottom, "HOUSE/SPEAKER" right 1985-87.
COLORS: Passenger colors 1966-78, Black/White 1979,
Blue/White and Light Blue 1980,
Red/White 1981-84, 1986-87, Blue/White 1985.
Full-color state seal added at left on Legislator and House Speaker 1982-87.
TEMPORARY (Cardboard)
Began 1922 as 10-day permit. Changed to 20-day by 1985.
TRAILER (1960-79: See Table 3)
Act 602 P 3/10/1920. Began 1921. Earliest seen 1926.
Full-size plate 1944.
Numbers probably began at 1001 1960-85, 10001 1986-87.
The Columbia Record, 9/28/1934: "One set of the tags, Stroup
explained, is for separate trailer units which are banned after
December 31, 1934, by an act of the 1933 legislature. For this
reason, he said, a two-month license will be issued them."
It appears that a "DEC.34" plate was issued after the "OCT.34"
issue, then no more Trailer plates issued until 1940.
Act 317 P 7/1/1939, E immediately, but began 1940.
Weights: 1, 1 1/2, 2, 2 1/2, 3, 3 1/2, 4, 4 1/2, 5, 6, 7, 7+ tons.
Unknown how 1/2 ton increments were shown on plates.
1959: Issued in 1 TON to 14 TON, no weight on >14 TON.
LEGENDS: No legend, "T" prefix 1926-27 (reported 1937),
no prefix, vertical "1TON" (etc.) left 1942-53,
vertical "1TON" (etc.) followed by vertical "TRA" left 1955-56,
vertical "TRA" followed by vertical "1TON" (etc.) left 1957-59,
vertical "TRL" left 1960-84, "TL" prefix 1985-87,
"EXP DEC. 31st 82" top 1982, bottom 1983,
"EXP DEC. 31 84" top 1984, bottom 1985,
"EXP TRAILER 12/31" bottom 1986-87.
(Verify 1921-25, 1928-34, 1940-41, 1943-44, 1948-50, 1954)
1926 T 270
1927 T 156
1942 1 TON 316
1943
1944
1945 1 TON 349
1946 1 TON 134
1947 1 TON 1-734
1948
1949
1950
1951 1 TON 111
1952 1 TON 2-362, 2 TON 3-504
1953 3 TON 4-520, 6 TON 7-348, 7 TON 8-725, 9 TON 10-016, 12 TON 12-341
1954
1955 1 TON 2-985
1956 1 TON 1-150
1957 1 TON 4-093, 12 TON 12 706
1958 1 TON 3-925, 2 TON 4-336
1959 1 TON 4-554, [3 TON 6-351], [>14 TON 19-651]
TRAILER FIVE YEAR
Act 470 P 4/17/1978. Reportedly began 1/1/1979, expire Dec. 31, 1983.
Earliest seen "DEC. 31 88". Vertical "TLR" left 1988.
1979-83 Black/White
1984-88 Blue/White, "EXP DEC. 31 88" top, [50001]- 53559 (3,559)
TRAILER HALF YEAR
Act 317 P 7/1/1939, E immediately, but began 1940.
Earliest listed 1944 chart. Earliest seen 1951.
Last seen 1959 chart. Not listed 1964 chart.
Probably discontinued 1960.
1940 Weights: 3, 3 1/2, 4, 4 1/2, 5, 6, 7, 7+ tons.
(Unknown how 1/2 ton increments were shown on plates.)
1944: Full-size plate issued indicating tonnage class, passenger colors.
1959: Issued in 3 TON to 14 TON, no weight on >14 TON.
1951 6 TON 60-585
1955 6 TON 60-831
1956 10 TON 92-843
1959 [3 TON 30 198], 12 TON 95 065, [>14 TON 98-200]
TRUCK (See Truck page)
Act 602 P 3/10/1920. Began 1921.
TRUCK HALF YEAR (1935-81: See Truck page)
Began 1935. Colors same as Truck 1935-81.
Expire 6/30 1982-91, 9/30 1992-96, and 3/31 or 9/30 1997-2015.
LEGENDS: "PS" prefix 1982-95.
"19 SOUTH CAROLINA 83" top, "EXP TRUCK 6\30" bottom 1983, 1985-86,
same except "6/30" 1987.
(Verify 1982, 1984)
COLORS: Black/White 1983, 1986, Green/White 1985, Red/White 1987.
1982 1985 [PS16000]-
1983 PS 3885 1986 PS10292 -[PS10622]
1984 1987 PS25602 -
UNITED STATES CONGRESS/SENATE
Earliest seen 1954. Not listed 1959, 1964.
South Carolina has had 6 U.S. Representatives in 1933-2012,
7 since 2013, and has always had 2 U.S. Senators.
The Greenville News, 6/20/1952: "The commission authorized a
special series of private passenger automobile license tags for
U.S. senators and representatives from this state. These tags
will be lettered "member U.S. Senate" and "member U.S. Congress."
LEGENDS: "MEMBER U.S. CONGRESS" or "MEMBER U.S. SENATE" bottom above state name 1954-55, 1957, 1966-67,
same legends top below state name, "19" bottom left, "68" bottom right 1968-75,
graphic design 1976, "U.S./CONGRESS" or "U.S./SENATE" left 1976-81, 1984-87,
annual design 1979, 1981, 1984-85, "1980" top, "South Carolina" bottom, graphic design 1980, 1987,
"SOUTH CAROLINA" top, undated 1986.
(Verify 1956, 1958-65, 1982-83)
COLORS: Blue/White and Light Blue 1980, 1987, Red/White 1981,
White/Light Blue 1984, Blue/White 1985, White/Light Green 1986.
UNITED STATES MILITARY RESERVE
Act 409 P 5/12/1986. Began 10/1/1986. Undated base, Black/White,
"SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "U.S. MIL. RES." bottom, #US10065, "2 90" stickers.
UNKNOWN TYPE "ZIS"
Only seen 1953 and 1954, no legend, #ZIS 1. (Not former Governor.)
UTILITY TRAILER (See Table 3)
Law P 1959. Began 1960.
Numbers probably began at #1-001 or 1001 1960-85, #10001 1986-87.
LEGENDS: Vertical "TRL" left 1960-79,
"SC - UTILITY 60" bottom 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, top 1961, 1963, 1965,
"SC UTILITY 65" top 1965, 1967 Type 1,
"19 UTILITY 67" bottom 1967 Type 2, 1968-69, 1971-75, 1977, 1979, top 1978,
"1670 UTILITY 1970" bottom 1970,
"1776 UTILITY 1976" top 1976,
"19 SOUTH CAROLINA 85" top, "EXP UTILITY 11/30" bottom 1985-87.
(Verify 1980-84)
1967: Type 1 - Old dies "SC" 1144 - 2367
Type 2 - New dies "SOUTH CAROLINA" 6463
UTILITY TRAILER FIVE YEAR
Act 470 P 4/17/1978. Began 12/1/1978, expire Nov. 30, 1983.
1979-83 Black/White, "EXP NOV. 30th 83" bottom, UT61264
1984-88 Blue/White, "EXP NOV. 30 88" top, [UT60001 - UT62000]
VOLUNTEER FIREMAN
Act 512, Part II, Section 67 P 6/28/1984, E immediately.
Earliest seen 1985 chart. $15 extra fee annually.
LEGENDS: "EXP SOUTH CAROLINA 11/30" top, "VOLUNTEER FIREMAN 85" bottom 1985,
"EXP SOUTH CAROLINA 11/30" top, "19 VOLUNTEER FIREMAN 86" bottom 1986-87.
1985 [VF10001]-
1986 VF10001 -
1987 [VF10001]-
WHOLESALER
Act 118 P 6/15/1983, E 1/1/1984. Began 1984.
LEGENDS: "EXP WHOLESALER 12/31" top, "19 SOUTH CAROLINA 84" bottom 1984,
"19 SOUTH CAROLINA 85" top, "EXP WHOLESALER 12/31" bottom 1985-87.
1984 WX 1868 - WX 5515
1985 WX 5454 -[WX 5500]
1986 [WX10001]- WX11252
1987 [WX10001]- WX13857
WHOLESALER MOTORCYCLE
Act 511 P 6/28/1984, E immediately. Earliest seen 1985 chart.
LEGENDS: "SOUTH CAROLINA" embossed top, "WHOLESALER" and "EXP." over "12/31"
screened bottom, "85" embossed in LR corner 1985-87.
1985 [WZ 3001]-
1986 [WZ 1001]-
1987 [WZ 1001]-
TABLE 1:
PRIVATE BUS CC BUS CC BUS 1/2 YR. CC TAXI
1940 502 -
1941 159 -
1942
1943
1944 5-784 - (chart) (chart) (chart)
1945 50-442 -
1946
1947 197 -
1948
1949
1950 1-086 -
1951 1-479 -
1952 (Reported) D-2-230
1953 C-1-284
1954 1-929 - 5-214 -
1955 1-160 - C-1-046,D-2-610
1956 D-2996
1957 1-498 - D2-125
1958 D-1724
1959 [1-750] [3-800] [5-551] D-2654
1960 D-1545, E-1-248
1961 1-671 - 1-617 - 1-621 (Reported) B-1009, C-1061, D1801
1962 1-640 - 3-972 - 3-975 5706 - 5707 D-1335, F-1038, G-1014
1963 3-285 - 5023 - C-1054, E-1311, F-1029, G-1011
1964 [1-800]- 3-037 -[4-000][5750] - 5935 C-1095, D-2305,[E-1400], G-1014
1965 1-474 - 2-034 3-100 - 3-176 5030 - 5800 B-1014, D-2350, G-1012
1966 1707 - 3053 - 3162 6746 - D 1718, G 1013
1967 1693 - 2151 3341 - 6393 - C 1076, D 2177, E 1689, G 1033
1968 1913 - 3483 - B 1019, E 1416
1969 3098 - 6462 - B 1021, D 1808
1970 1090 -[1300] 3197 -[4320] [6789] - D 1586, G 1006
1971 1134 - 2552 3065 -[4320] [6789] - B 1045, D 1666
1972 1375 - 3043 3056 - 6123 - 1309 - 2567
1973 1501 - 3312 3054 - 3382 [6500] 1046 - 3333
1974 2357 - 3641 4219 - 4623 1004 - 1503
1975 1642 -[5000] [6950] - 8200 -[8500] 2544 -[3550]
1976 1707 - 2099 1443 - 2159
1977 2320 - 3689 8048 - 1427 - 2251
1978 1866 - 6124 - 1433 - 2191
1979 1842 - 2534 6498 - 2203 -
1980 1229 - 5556 6670 - 2953 -
1981 1843 - 1906
1982 1814 - 4655 1495 -
1983 1873 - 2562 -
1984 2954 - 4260 1602 - 1849
1985 3058 -[5700] 6901 - [8010] - 1590 -[3300]
1986 BU10567 - 10898[BC1001]- (not on chart) [TX10001]
1987 BU10905 - 14673[BC1001]- (not on chart) [TX10001]
TABLE 2:
DISABLED HOUSE HOUSE TRL. SME
VETERAN DISABLED TRAILER TRANSPORTER SME 1/2 YR.
1951 D-V-726 -
1952 DV-1-080 - SME-1439
1953 DV-1-152 - HT-2-977
1954 DV-1-332 - HT-2-669
1955 DV-1-504 -
1956 DV-1-114 - HT-1-002
1957 - HT-3-106
1958 DV-1-201 - HT-3-260 SME2263
1959 DV-1-241 - [HT-3-451][HT 1025] SME2479 [SME5001]
1960 DV-1-266 - HT-2-692 HT-1-288
1961 DV-1-227 -
1962 DV-1-275 - HT-2-700 HT-1-418 SME1605 SME5027
1963 DV-1-450 - HT-2-980 SME2502 SME5027
1964 [DV-1-450] - HT-3-147 [HT-1-500][SME2900] [SME5035]
1965 V-1210, - HT-3744 HT-1490 SME3000 SME5025
V-3985
1966 V 1432 - HT 4225 SM 2981
1967 V 1295 - HT 4747 HT 1625 SM 2727
1968 V 1322 - HT 5862 HT 2023 SM 3596
1969 V 1281 W 1020 HT 4349 SM 1890
1970 V 1356 [W 1001] [HT 3432] HT 1749 SM 3664 [SM 6356]
1971 V 1473 W 1021 [HT 3432] HT 1827 SM 3994 [SM 6356]
1972 V 1510 HT 1979 HT 1567 SM 2973 SM 6010
1973 V 1571 W 1052 [HT 3200] HT 1917 SM 4601 [SM 6010]
1974 V 1505 W 1039 HT 1657 HT 1724 SM 3875
1975 V 1322 [W 1060] HT 1523 [HT 2000] [SM 5200] SM 6002
1976 V 1419 W 1050 HT 1856 HT 1722 SM 1753
1977 V 1731 W 1031 HT 1010 HT 1521 SM 4666
1978 V 2262 1275 HT 1493 SM 3693
1979 V 3000 1245 SM 5228
1980 V 1076 1518 SM 1723 SM 6008
1981 (Perm.) 1429 SM 1855
1982 - 1402 SM 3803
1983 - 1778 SM 3816
1984 - 2737 SM 3749
1985 - 3303 [HT 2200] HTT3245 SM 4923 [SM 8050]
1986 - 3893 [HT10001] [HC10100] SM14499 -
1987 - 4873 [HT10001] [HC10001] SM10552 -
TABLE 3:
FARM TK FARM TK FARM TK UTILITY CAMPER
6 TONS 8 TONS 10 TONS TRAILER TRL TRL
1960 5-528 - - 4-246 2-790 -
1961 7-943 - - 12-245 3-715 -
1962 9-554 - - 13-047 4-045 -
1963 3-899 - - 13-428 3-360 -
1964 [10-000] - - [13-000] [4-000] -
1965 10-079 - - 14-328 5304 -
1966 11067 - 15752 2503 -
1967 11116 21278 - 12638 6463 -
1968 10717 - 18317 7048
1969 8563 21015 - 20579 8537 8261
1970 11170 20102 - 18284 7705 11350
1971 11167 21376 4733 2603 13980
1972 5542 25525 3818 15853
1973 7000 22590 30598 29449 17191 15247
1974 6004 23066 30490 7120 23515
1975 11803 21906 33255 4226 23999
1976 1776 24539 30204 32411 6342 26631
1977 10632 24808 26304 1359 30370
1978 2043 24635 30682 1510 27587
1979 9876 31113 2079 28099
1980 13248 20896 31017 21881
1981 14053 29945 27072
1982 4537 25729 8926 28605
1983 17763 21029 20054 17083
1984 17284 35084 29938 1411 20181
1985 10742 38076 40659 TL36421 [UT2444] KT30964
1986 FM15289 FM37804 FM46408 TL41973 UT10254 KT39213
1987 FM17131 FM20610 FM50384 TL35325 [UT50001] KT38717
PERMITS:
MARINE RESOURCES
Earliest seen 1970. Issued by Wildlife Resources Department,
Marine Resources Division for fishing boats, etc.
Full-size plates:
1970 SC 117 White/Red, "SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "19 COMM. FISHERIES 70" bottom
1972 SC 900 White/Green, "MARINE RESOURCES" top, "19 S.C.W.R.D. 72" bottom
1974 SC 395 White/Dark Brown, "S.C.W.& M.R.D." top, "19 TRAWLER 74" bottom
1975 SC 114 Blue/Orange, same design as 1974
1978 SC 25 White/Light Blue, same design as 1974
1980 SC 1315 Black/Orange, same design as 1974
1981 SC 394 Black/White, same design as 1974
1983 SC 404 Yellow/Light Blue, same design as 1974
Motorcycle-size plates: (Pairs seen 1972, 1974)
1972 8 - 2000 White/Green, "SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "S.C.W.R.D.-M.R.D.-72"
bottom, stepped "BOAT" left
1974 309 White/Dark Brown, "SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "S.C.W.& M.R.D. 74"
bottom, stepped "BOAT" left (license expired 6/30/1974)
1976 1054 White/Green, same design as 1974
1979/80 8 White/Maroon, "OYSTER PERMIT" top, "S.C.W.& M.R.D." bottom left,
#8 screened, Black/Yellow "1979/1980" square sticker right
1981 2930 Black/White, "SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "S.C.W.&M.R.D. 81" bottom,
stepped "BOAT" left
1982 54 - 576 Black/Gold, same design as 1981
PUBLIC SERVICE
Act 170 P 4/8/1925, E 6/7/1925. Began 1925. Earliest seen 1926.
Supplemental plate issued by State Highway Commission 1925-28,
Motor Tranportation Division of the Railroad Commission 1928-37 (E 3/9/1928),
Public Service Commission 1937-79 (E 10/5/1937).
Full-size plate 1944. R = Replacement; other letters uncertain.
Switched to fiscal year expiration June 1935. Last seen June 1992.
PREFIXES SEEN: (4 digits seen after prefix only on 2ME, and on all 1992)
1A - 1937-66 1E - 1926-92 1F - 1930 L1E - 1988
11E - 1975-90 11F? L2E - 1991
B? 21E - 1968 21F - 1935-43
31E - 1945-85 31F - 1944 R1A - 1943
1C - 1926-89 41E - 1958-84 41F - 1944-45 R1D - 1945
51E - 1977 51F - 1944 R1F - 1945
1D - 1972 61E - 1976-83 61F - 1964 R2F - 1943-44
2D - 1972 211E - 1986
2E - 1945-92 2F - 1930 X1A - 1951-66
52E - 1957 12F - 1945 X1B - 1943-45
62E - 1955 22F - 1944-45 X1D - 1943
25E - 1974-75
28E - 1983 2ME - 1964-90
1925 Law:
Certificate A - Fixed route and schedule
1P = Bus <13,000 lbs. (7,000 if solid tire)
Certificate B - No fixed route or schedule
2P = Bus <13,000 lbs. (7,000 if solid tire)
Certificate C - May not solicit passengers outside cities
C = Taxi
Certificate D - Fixed route and schedule
X = Truck 3 tons or less
Y = Truck >3 tons up to 7 tons (5 if solid tire)
Z = Truck >5 tons up to 9 tons (8 1/2 if solid)
Certificate E - No fixed route or schedule
E = Truck (under 1 ton, 1 to under 2 tons, 2 to
under 3 tons, 3 to under 4 tons, 4 tons and over)
Definitions as of 9/24/1931: (Class F began May 1930)
Class A - Passenger Bus on regular schedule (138 registered, 123 as of 6/30/1932)
Class B - Passenger Bus, regular route but not schedule (32 registered, 11 on 6/30/1932)
Class C - Jitney line doing business within 2-mile limit (21 6/30/1932)
Class D - Freight carrier, regular schedule (59 trucks, 35 trailers 6/30/1932)
Class E - Freight Carrier, regular route but not schedule
Class F - Contract Carrier, freight (237 trucks, 131 trailers registered,
283 trucks, 163 trailers 6/30/1932)
Definitions as of 1939:
Class A - Passenger Bus (385 registered 1937/38, 438 1938/39)
Class B - Sight-seeing Bus (13 registered 1937/38, 9 1938/39)
Class C - Taxi licensed to operate in and beyond 5-mile radius of city
(75 registered 1937/38, 70 1938/39)
Class D - Common Freight Carrier, regular schedule (216 registered 1937/38, 443 1938/39)
Class E - ?
Class F - Contract Freight Carrier (2,399 registered 1937/38, 4,357 1938/39)
LEGENDS: "PUBLIC SERVICE" bottom on taller plate 1926,
no legend, passenger design 1929-30,
"SC - EXPIRES OCT 31 - 34" bottom 1934,
"SC - JUNE 30 - 35" bottom 1935,
"SOUTH CAROLINA 44" bottom 1944,
"SC - JUNE 30 - 45" top 1945, 1951, bottom 1954,
"SC - JUNE 30TH - 56" bottom 1956, 1958, 1961, 1964-65, top 1957,
"S C P.S.C. 6-30-66" bottom 1966,
"SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "19 P.S.C. 6-30 68" bottom 1968-69, 1971-84, 1988, 1990, 1992,
"SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "EXP P.S.C. 6-30 85" bottom 1985, 1989, 1991.
(Verify 1925, 1927-28, 1931-33, 1936-43, 1946-50,
1952-53, 1955, 1959-60, 1962-63, 1967, 1970)
1926 1C 555, 1E 340
1929 1C-31
1930 1F-129, 2F-410
1934 OCT 1C-706, 1F-943
PUBLIC SERVICE HALF YEAR
Earliest seen December 1934; probably began then.
Supplemental plate issued by Railroad Commission 1934-37,
Public Service Commission 1937-79. Full-size plate 1944. Last seen December 1989.
LEGENDS: "SC - EXPIRES DEC 31 - 34" bottom 1934,
"SC - DECEMBER 31 - 43" bottom 1935, 1937, 1943-44, 1954, top 1949, 1951, 1955,
"SOUTH CAROLINA 44" bottom late 1944,
"SC - DECEMBER 31ST - 57" top 1957, bottom 1958, 1962, 1964,
"S C P.S.C. 12-31-65" bottom 1965,
"SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "19 P.S.C. 12-31 70" bottom 1970-72, 1974, 1978, 1981-82, 1989,
"SOUTH CAROLINA" top, "EXP P.S.C. 12-31 85" bottom 1985.
(Verify 1936, 1938-42, 1945-48, 1950, 1952-53, 1956, 1959-61,
1963, 1966-69, 1973, 1975-77, 1979-80, 1983-84, 1986-88, 1990-91)
JUNE (Full Year) DECEMBER (Half Year)
1934 (None) Yellow/Black 2F-397, 2F-450 pair
1935(Dark/Light) 21F-532 Black/White 1C-96, 1D-87 pairs
1F-989, 2F-743
1936
1937 Black/White 1A-61
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943 Black/Gold 21F-58, 61F-50, R1A-20, R2F-3,
X1B-xxx, X1D-45
1944 Red/White 41F-590, R2F-521 Black/White 1F-28, 22F-4, 31F-550,
51F-76, X1B-504
1945 Yellow/Black 2E-18, 31E-525, 12F-7, 22F-13,
41F-66, R1D-9, R1F-2, X1B-5
1946
1947
1948
1949 White/Green 31E-194
1950
1951 Black/Gold 1C-529 Gold/Black X1A-23
1952
1953
1954 Black/Gold 1A-86 Gold/Black 1A-377
1955 Red/White 1C-4, 62E-97
1956 White/Blue 1C-73
1957 Black/Gold 1E-12, 52E-433 Gold/Black 1C-32
1958 Black/Gold 1C-67 Red/White 41E-118 (1A-91)
1959
1960
1961 Black/Gold 1C-25
1962 Black/White 1A-373
1963
1964 Black/Gold 1A-627 White/Green 61F-117, 2ME-306
1965 Red/Gold 2ME1313 White/Black 1A-734
1966 White/Red 1A 634, 2ME-352,
X1A 48
1967
1968 White/Red 21E 25, 2ME1804
1969 Red/White 1C 37
1970 Black/White 1C 20
1971 White/Blue 41E 182 Black/Yellow 1C 345
1972 White/Green 1C 201, 1D 20 Black/Yellow 1C 148
2D 71, 2ME1734
1973 White/Dark Brown 41E 222, 2ME3164
1974 White/Orange 1C 407, 2ME2875, Black/White 1C 500
25E 88
1975 White/Blue 11E 114, 25E 29 1976 White/Green 11E 101, 61E 540
1977 White/Maroon 51E 173, 2ME2642
1978 Green/Yellow 2ME5684 Blue/Tan 1C 194
1979 White/Light Blue 31E 7, 2ME2713
1980 White/Red 61E 597, 2ME4183
1981 Green/Yellow 21E 90, 2ME4443 Blue/Orange 1C 375
1982 Orange/Light Blue 2ME1159, 61E 521 Red/Yellow 1C 348
1983 Yellow/Red 1C 234, 28E 102,
61E 482, 2ME4916
1984 White/Light Green 1C 338, 41E 153,
2ME4396
1985 White/Red 31E 230 Yellow/Light Green 1C 538
1986 Green/Yellow 211E 36, 2ME1882
1987 White/Light Blue 1C 348, 2ME3610
1988 Yellow/Red 1C 575, 2ME5566,
27E 5, L1E 148
1989 White/Light Green 2ME6150 Blue/White 1C 224
1990 White/Light Blue 11E 266, 2ME5969
1991 White/Red L2E 88
1992 White/Light Green 1E 1745, 2E 6976
