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How to Replace Your South Carolina License Plate

By Viola Travers · Practical Services & Civic Guide

When and how to replace your plate

You can replace your South Carolina license plate at any time, but you only have to if the plate is damaged, unreadable, lost, or stolen. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) will also issue a replacement if your plate has faded so much that the numbers and letters are hard to see from a distance.

Replacement plates cost $10 each. You can order them by mail, in person at an SCDMV office, or through an authorized tag agent (usually a local insurance or vehicle service office). The fastest option is usually an authorized tag agent in your area, since you can walk out with a plate the same day.

If you are replacing a plate because it was lost or stolen, you do not need a police report unless you want one for your records. Simply tell the SCDMV or tag agent that the plate is missing, and they will issue a new one.

Key Takeaways

  • Replacement plates cost $10 and can be ordered by mail, at an SCDMV office, or through an authorized tag agent in your county.
  • You will need your vehicle registration card and a valid ID to order a replacement plate in person or by mail.
  • Authorized tag agents usually have plates ready the same day, while mail orders take one to two weeks.
  • If your plate is damaged or unreadable, bring it with you so the SCDMV can destroy it and issue a new one.
  • You do not need a police report to replace a lost or stolen plate, though you may file one if you choose.

Ordering by mail

To order a replacement plate by mail, send a check or money order for $10 to the SCDMV along with a completed Form 4031 (Application for Duplicate License Plate). Include a copy of your vehicle registration card and a copy of your valid ID. Mail everything to the SCDMV address listed on their website.

Processing takes one to two weeks from the date the SCDMV receives your envelope. The new plate will arrive by mail at the address on your registration. If you need the plate sooner, use an authorized tag agent or visit an SCDMV office in person instead.

Keep a copy of your check or money order receipt until the new plate arrives. If it does not arrive within three weeks, contact the SCDMV to confirm they received your request.

Ordering in person at an SCDMV office

Visit any SCDMV office with your vehicle registration card, a valid ID, and $10 in cash or card payment. Tell the clerk you need a replacement plate and whether it is damaged, lost, or stolen. If you have the old plate and it is damaged, bring it so the SCDMV can destroy it.

Processing at an office usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will receive your new plate before you leave. SCDMV offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., though hours vary by location. Check the SCDMV website for the office nearest you and call ahead if you want to confirm wait times.

Using an authorized tag agent

An authorized tag agent is a private business licensed by the SCDMV to issue plates and handle other vehicle registration tasks. Most counties have at least one, and many have several. Tag agents are often faster than SCDMV offices because they have fewer customers and keep plates in stock.

Bring your vehicle registration card, a valid ID, and $10. The agent will issue your new plate on the spot, usually within 10 to 15 minutes. To find a tag agent near you, search the SCDMV website by county or call your local county assessor's office.

Tag agents charge the same $10 fee as the SCDMV and cannot charge extra. If an agent quotes you a higher price, they are not authorized, and you should report them to the SCDMV.

What to do if your plate was stolen

If someone stole your plate, you can report it to local police and file a report, though it is not required to get a replacement. The police report is useful only if you want a record for insurance or if you are concerned the plate might be used on another vehicle.

To replace the stolen plate, follow the same steps as for a lost plate: visit an SCDMV office, a tag agent, or mail in your request. You do not need the police report to order the replacement. Tell the SCDMV or tag agent that the plate was stolen, and they will issue a new one.

If you are worried the stolen plate has been used on another vehicle, you can contact the SCDMV directly to report it. They can flag the plate in their system, though this does not prevent someone from using it — it only creates a record if the plate is scanned by law enforcement.

Transferring a plate to a different vehicle

If you want to keep your current plate and move it to a new vehicle, that is a transfer, not a replacement. Transfers are handled differently and require a separate form and fee. You will need to visit an SCDMV office or tag agent with both vehicles' registration cards, your ID, and the transfer fee (which varies).

A replacement plate, by contrast, is a new plate with a new number issued for the same vehicle. If you are simply getting a new plate for the vehicle you already own, follow the replacement steps above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a replacement plate the same day?

Yes, if you visit an SCDMV office or an authorized tag agent in person. Both can issue a new plate while you wait, usually within 30 minutes. Mail orders take one to two weeks.

What if my plate is faded but not damaged?

A faded plate that is hard to read from a distance is grounds for replacement. Bring it to an SCDMV office or tag agent and explain that the numbers and letters are faded. They will issue a new one for $10.

Do I need my old plate to get a replacement?

If you have the old plate and it is damaged, bring it so the SCDMV can destroy it. If the plate is lost or stolen, you do not need it. Either way, you can get a replacement.

What if I ordered a replacement by mail and it never arrived?

Contact the SCDMV within three weeks of mailing your request. Have your check or money order receipt ready. If the plate was lost in the mail, the SCDMV can issue a replacement or refund your $10.

Can I choose a custom or vanity plate as a replacement?

No. A replacement plate is a standard plate with a new number assigned by the SCDMV. If you want a vanity plate, that is a separate request with its own fee and process, handled through the SCDMV or a tag agent.