How to Order a Personalized License Plate in South Carolina

What personalized plates cost and how to order them

A personalized license plate in South Carolina lets you choose your own combination of letters and numbers instead of receiving a random one from the Department of Motor Vehicles. The plate itself costs an additional fee on top of your regular registration renewal, and you order it through the DMV either online, by mail, or in person at a local office.

The personalized plate fee is $50 for a standard plate, though specialty plates (like those supporting a college, military branch, or conservation cause) may have different costs. You keep the same plate year to year as long as you renew your registration on time. If you want to change your personalized combination later, you pay another $50 fee.

The DMV will check your requested combination against their database to make sure no one else in South Carolina is already using it. This check takes a few days to a week if you order online or by mail, and a few minutes if you order in person at a DMV office.

Key Takeaways

• Personalized plates cost $50 extra when you order them, on top of your regular registration fee.
• You can order online through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at any DMV office.
• The DMV checks your requested combination to make sure it is not already taken by another South Carolina driver.
• Once approved, your personalized plate stays yours as long as you renew your registration each year.
• Changing your personalized combination later costs another $50 fee.

Ordering online through the DMV website

The fastest way to order is through the South Carolina DMV website. Go to the personalized plate section, enter your desired combination, and the system will tell you immediately whether it is available. If it is taken, you can try other combinations right away without waiting.

Once you find an available combination, you will need your vehicle identification number (VIN), current registration number, and a payment method (credit or debit card). The DMV charges the $50 personalized plate fee plus your regular registration renewal fee at that time. You will receive a confirmation email, and your new plate will arrive by mail within two to three weeks.

If you are renewing your registration at the same time, you can do both transactions together online. If your registration is not due yet, you can still order a personalized plate and pay only the $50 fee; your registration will renew on its normal schedule.

Ordering by mail or in person

To order by mail, download the personalized plate application form from the DMV website or request one by phone. Fill it out with your desired combination, vehicle information, and current registration details. Mail it to the DMV address listed on the form along with a check or money order for $50 (plus any registration renewal fees if applicable).

Processing by mail takes one to two weeks after the DMV receives your form. Send your application well before your registration expires to avoid a lapse in coverage.

If you order in person at a DMV office, bring your current registration, proof of insurance, and a valid ID. Tell the clerk you want a personalized plate and provide your desired combination. The clerk will check availability on the spot and process your order immediately if the combination is available. You will pay the $50 fee plus any registration renewal fees, and your new plate will arrive by mail within two to three weeks.

Rules for what you can put on your plate

South Carolina allows up to seven characters on a personalized plate — letters, numbers, or a mix. You cannot use spaces, punctuation, or special symbols. The DMV will reject combinations that are already taken, that spell out profanity or slurs, or that could be confused with official government plates.

Some combinations that look like they might be available are actually reserved by the DMV and cannot be ordered. If your first choice is rejected, the online system will suggest similar available options, or you can try a completely different combination.

Personalized plates follow all the same rules as standard plates for visibility and durability. Your plate must remain legible and unobstructed while driving, and you cannot alter or deface it.

Renewing and changing your personalized plate

Your personalized plate renews automatically when you renew your vehicle registration each year. You do not need to reorder it or pay the $50 fee again unless you want to change the combination.

If you want a different personalized combination, you can order a new one at any time by paying another $50 fee. The old combination becomes available for other drivers to order once your new plate is issued. You can order your new combination online, by mail, or in person using the same process as your first personalized plate.

If you sell your vehicle or let your registration lapse, your personalized combination is released back into the available pool after a waiting period. You cannot transfer a personalized plate to a different vehicle.

What happens if your personalized plate is damaged or lost

If your personalized plate is damaged, faded, or no longer legible, you can request a replacement through the DMV. Bring your vehicle and current registration to a DMV office, or contact the DMV by phone to request a replacement by mail. There is no additional charge for a replacement plate — the cost is covered by your registration fee.

If your plate is stolen, report it to your local police department and get a case number. Then contact the DMV with the case number and request a replacement. The DMV will issue you a new plate with the same personalized combination at no extra cost.

Specialty personalized plates

South Carolina offers personalized versions of specialty plates that support colleges, military branches, conservation efforts, and other causes. These plates have a different design or background color than standard personalized plates, and some have different fees.

For example, a University of South Carolina personalized plate costs more than a standard personalized plate, but the extra money goes to the university. Military personalized plates may have no additional cost beyond the standard $50 personalized plate fee. Check the DMV website to see which specialty personalized plates are available and what each one costs.

You order a specialty personalized plate the same way you order a standard one — online, by mail, or in person — but you select the specialty plate design during the ordering process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reserve a personalized plate before I buy my vehicle?

No. You must have a vehicle registered in South Carolina and a current registration number to order a personalized plate. You can order one as soon as your new vehicle is registered, but not before.

What if someone else orders the combination I want while I am deciding?

Personalized combinations are first-come, first-served. If you find a combination you like, order it right away. If you wait and someone else orders it, you will need to choose a different one. The online system shows you immediately whether a combination is available.

Do I have to pay the personalized plate fee every year?

No. You pay the $50 fee only once when you order the plate. Your registration renewal fee each year covers the cost of renewing the plate itself. You pay the $50 fee again only if you want to change your combination.

Can I put my personalized plate on a different vehicle?

No. A personalized plate is tied to one vehicle and one registration. If you buy a different vehicle, you would need to order a new personalized plate for that vehicle. Your old plate stays with your old vehicle's registration.

How long does it take to get my personalized plate after I order it?

If you order online or in person, your plate arrives by mail within two to three weeks. If you order by mail, add one to two weeks for the DMV to process your form before the plate is made and shipped. Plan ahead if your current plate is expiring soon.