Applying for Special Plates in South Carolina

SUMMARY: Apply for a South Carolina Specialty License Plate

In South Carolina, you can apply for specialty license plates online, by mail, or in person (depending on the plate). You can renew these plates when you renew your registration. Damaged plates or those that were never received can be remade; however, lost or stolen plates require replacement. Should you buy a new vehicle, you may transfer your special plates to your new car. Fees will vary by plate.

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers a large amount of specialty plates for order. Continue reading to learn more about how to obtain these plates.

For drivers who need a handicapped license plate or parking tag, our Disability Plates and Placards page has helpful information.
For the various plates you can order from the DMV, visit our guide to Types of Special Plates in South Carolina.

Applying for Specialty Plates in South Carolina

The SC DMV allows drivers to apply for specialty license plates:

Online.
Not available for all plates.
- By mail.
In person.

Online

Many, but not all, specialty plates are available for online order. Most plates that don't require proof of eligibility are available for online purchase.

Make sure to visit the SC DMV website to determine if you may apply for your desired plate online.

To order your SC specialty plate online:

Visit the online plate order page.
Follow the instructions to complete your order. You'll need:
- Current plate number.
- VIN.
- Expiration date of your plates.
- Address.
- Current vehicle registration.
Pay the plate fee via credit card.

By Mail or In Person

To apply:

Find your application form:
- Special plates (including organizational, collegiate, and sports plates): Application for Special License Plate (Form MV-95).
- Military and disabled veteran plates: Application for Military License Plate (Form MV-37).
- Disabled plates: Disabled Placard and License Plate Application (Form RG-007A).
- Personalized disabled plates: Application for Disabled Personalized License Plates (Form MV-96A).
- Personalized plates: Application for Personalized License Plates (Form MV-96).
- Other plates: See the SC DMV's list of license plate forms.
Provide any required proof of eligibility/supporting documents.
- Many plates, such as military or disability plates, require additional documents. Make sure you visit the SC DMV website and click on your plate to find your application requirements.
Provide payment for the plate fee (see below).
- You may also be required to submit an updated tax receipt and additional fees.
Submit all of the above:
- By mail to the address on the form.
  - Some application forms MUST be mailed; refer to your form.
- In person to your local DMV office.

Renewing SC Specialty Plates

You can renew your specialty plates in South Carolina when you renew your vehicle registration. Note that you may have to pay your special plate fee at the time of renewal.

You must register your vehicle every 2 years.

For more detailed information, visit our Registration Renewal page.

Remaking & Replacing SC Special Plates

If your specialty plate is damaged, old, defective, or was never received, you may request a remake of your plate by completing and mailing a Request to Remake Personalized or Special License Plates (Form MV-97) to the address on the form.

Unless your plate was never received, you'll need to either:

Submit a color photo of your plate.
OR
Bring your plates to your local Department of Motor Vehicles office to verify their condition.

If your plates were lost or stolen, you CANNOT request a remake. You must apply for replacement plates. To learn how, visit our South Carolina License Plates and Placards page.

Selling a Car with Specialty Plates

If you sell your car in South Carolina and buy a new one, you may transfer your SC custom license plates to your new vehicle.

Note that you must title and register your new vehicle within 45 days from the purchase date. In the meantime, prior to registering, you must have a temporary plate on your vehicle and keep one of the following in your car (original or copy):

Bill of sale.
Title.
Rental contract.

For more detailed information on transferring and surrendering plates, visit our License Plates and Placards page.

SC Specialty Plate Fees

Fees for special and personalized plates in South Carolina vary.

To find your fee, visit the SC DMV license plate gallery. The fee will be listed next to the plate.

Forms

MV-37: Application for Military License Plate; Application for South Carolina military license plates.

MV-96A: Application for Personalized License Plate for People with a Disability; Request personalized SC disabled license plates from the Department of Motor Vehicles. Form must be completed by a doctor.

MV-96: Application for Personalized License Plates; DMV application for personalized South Carolina license plates.

MV-95: Application for Special License Plates; Apply for specialized license plates with the SC DMV.

RG-007A: Disabled Placard and License Plate Application; Apply for an original, renewal, OR replacement disabled parking placard, plate, OR decal with the SC DMV.