Traceable temporary license plates required in South Carolina as of Monday

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — If you buy a car on or anytime after Monday, November 11, you are now required to have a 45-day traceable temporary license plate.

Governor Henry McMaster signed the rule into law in May 2018. The SCDMV will issue the new traceable temporary license plates beginning Tuesday, November 12.

"The General Assembly passing and Governor McMaster signing Senate Bill 1083 is a milestone for this state," said SCDMV Executive Director Kevin Shwedo. "No longer will law enforcement officers be, essentially, blind when approaching vehicles that are only marked with a hand-written date and piece of paper. The accountability that now lies with dealers and consumers will keep more people in our state safe."

The temporary plates, which are made of teslin paper, will be underneath the temporary registration card. That card can be seen on the top portion of the plate. Drivers should keep the registration portion in their newly purchased vehicle until they receive their permanent registration card and metal plate.

Due to state law allowing 45 days after purchase to properly register a vehicle, the public may continue to see "paper tags" with a handwritten date on South Carolina roads until December 24, 2019.

On or after December 25, 2019, there should be no more non-traceable temporary tags.