South Carolina License Plate Lookup

Performing a South Carolina license plate lookup can be essential for various reasons, such as researching potential accidents that may have impacted vehicle safety, uncovering a vehicle’s history*, or understanding the number of past owners’. Buyers may want to confirm a vehicle’s history before making a purchase to avoid issues like hidden salvage status or unresolved safety recalls. Sellers can also use this information to help provide transparency and build trust with potential buyers.
Understanding the wealth of information available through alicense plate lookup is valuable for trying to ensure transparency and safety.

Performing a license plate lookup in South Carolina

Step-by-step guide:

1. Visit Bumper.com: Go to Bumper’s License Plate Lookup page.
2. Enter license plate number: Input the license plate number of the vehicle you want to look up. Bumper will use this information to try to retrieve relevant data.
3. Search results: Bumper could provide you with information related to the vehicle, including accident history*, salvage titles, manufacturer recalls, estimated market value, and more.
4. Explore details: Review the details provided in the search results. This can help inform your research when buying or selling a vehicle.

Information provided

The data retrieved from a license plate lookup may include:

1. Vehicle history: Information about the number of past owners
2. Title status: Details regarding whether the vehicle has a clean title, has been salvaged, or has lien records.
3. Accident history: Reports on past accidents*, including the severity and dates, which is critical for assessing the vehicle’s condition.
4. Safety recalls: Information about open recalls.

Having access to this information is crucial for buyers validating the vehicle’s history, sellers looking to provide transparency, and current owners ensuring their vehicle’s safety standards. It could also help protect against purchasing vehicles with undisclosed damage or hidden issues.

Types of license plates in Alabama

Standard plates

Since 2015, South Carolina’s standard “While I Breathe, I Hope” license plate has showcased a classic design that reflects the state’s heritage. With a color scheme of white and indigo, the plate features a palmetto tree and crescent, mirroring the design of the state flag.

Specialty plates

South Carolina’s specialty plates come with additional fees of $0 to $70 every two years, on top of regular registration costs. Many of these plates allocate part of the proceeds to various causes, including charitable organizations and community projects. They offer a way for vehicle owners to support meaningful initiatives while showcasing their interests. Regardless of the specialty plate chosen, the plate design typically consists of a white background with the organization’s name on top separated by a red line, and an emblem on the left side.

Military plates

South Carolina’s military plates are available to eligible service members and veterans, requiring official documentation to apply. Applicants must provide proof of military service, such as an honorable discharge certificate, and complete the necessary application forms. These plates don’t come with an additional cost and can be obtained with the standard registration fee. Most military plates in this category allow for up to three different plates per individual, including various branches and specialty options. These plates are typically available by mail only.

Sports plates

South Carolina’s sports plates cater to a wide range of interests, including football, NASCAR, golf, tennis, and more. These plates, which range from $30 to $70 every two years in addition to standard registration fees, support various local causes. A portion of the proceeds from each plate benefits organizations linked to the sport or cause represented, contributing to community initiatives and local programs.

College & University plates

South Carolina’s college and university plates are available for a range of institutions, with most costing $70 every two years in addition to the standard registration fee. A portion of this fee supports the institution, often earmarked for scholarships and educational programs. These plates allow alumni and supporters to show their school pride while contributing to the academic community.

Organization plates

South Carolina’s organizational plates support a broad spectrum of groups, including alumni associations, sororities, fraternities, charitable causes, hobby clubs, and conservation organizations. Depending on the plate, fees can vary, and some plates require proof of membership or authorization from the affiliated group, while others are available to the general public. These plates provide a way to promote personal interests and support important causes through vehicle registration.

South Carolina's online lookup tools and services

License plate inquiry application

The SCDMV offers a License Plate Inquiry application that allows users to retrieve vehicle owner information securely. Authorized users can access a wide range of vehicle details, ensuring the data’s accuracy through frequent updates. Each inquiry costs $7.25 in addition to an annual subscription fee and supports multiple payment options, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.

To access vehicle owner information through the License Plate, Lien, and Title History Inquiry applications, you must register with Tyler South Carolina and comply with the Federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). A Personal Information Release Agreement with the South Carolina DMV and a Tyler South Carolina Subscriber Agreement are required. After creating an account online, download, complete, and sign the necessary forms, then return them via email, fax, or mail to Tyler South Carolina for approval.

Moving to South Carolina

Vehicle title and registration transfer

New residents must transfer their vehicle titles and registrations to South Carolina within 45 days, which includes obtaining a SC driver’s license and meeting various state requirements. Here are the steps to aid in a smooth transition:

1. Get an SC driver’s license: Obtain a South Carolina driver’s license before starting the vehicle registration process.
2. Update your vehicle insurance: Update your vehicle insurance company with your new SC address.
3. Pay property taxes: Before registering, pay any property taxes on your vehicle with your county treasurer. Contact your county auditor’s office and provide the VIN of the vehicle. Bring the original paid property tax receipt to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV).
4. Visit the SCDMV with required documents:
   • Out-of-state vehicle title and/or registration.
   • If there is a lien on the vehicle, bring the lienholder’s name and address.
   • Liability insurance company information.
   • Power of Attorney if leasing the vehicle.
   • Original paid vehicle property tax receipt.
5. Fees: For a standard passenger vehicle, expect to pay $305 upon registration: $250 Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF), $15 title fee, and $40 registration/license plate fee. Specialty plates may incur additional costs. The IMF is a one-time fee per vehicle.
6. Out-of-state title clearance: Your SC title will be mailed after the out-of-state title clears through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). The SC registration will be issued before this clearance is completed.

Lost, stolen, or damaged plates

Reporting and replacement

In the event your license plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you must report it immediately to your local police department. This is a crucial step to prevent misuse of your plate. Once reported, you should follow the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) procedures to obtain a replacement.

To replace your plate, check that it is in good standing with the SCDMV. If it is, you can replace your lost, stolen, or damaged license plate with the same plate type online. The required steps include filling out specific forms and providing a police report if the plate was stolen. This documentation will be used to ensure the reporting and replacement process is handled properly.

Online services

To request a replacement plate through the SCDMV’s online service, you will need to confirm your address on file is current and have the vehicle’s registration details. Payments can be made using VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. More information can be found on the official SCDMV website.

Conducting a South Carolina license plate lookup can prove to be an invaluable step for aiding in vehicle transparency and safety. This process serves various stakeholders, from prospective car buyers to sellers, potentially offering essential insights into a vehicle’s history. Understanding the vehicle’s past, including salvage status and theft incidents, could help buyers and sellers conduct transactions with confidence.

*Disclaimer: Bumper reports are based upon data available and may include historical accident records from 33 state-level agencies, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming, to the extent such specific data has been compiled, digitized locally and is available. We strongly recommend your own due diligence and checking additional sources for states not listed above. As a reminder, even for states where we may have data, we cannot guarantee the comprehensiveness/accuracy of the information provided and you should not rely solely on our data in order to determine whether or not a vehicle was ever involved in an accident.