These may or may not be the same design as an actual plate.
Protos are made to consider possible designs and/or to confirm colors and design.
Not known if every plate type is made as a prototype. Most are 1-of-a-kind.
1961 color test
black/purple or light blue
actual colors used: red/white
1966 color test
white/red
actual colors used: white/blue
1969 die and spacing test
1974 color test
white/maroon, ultimately used in 1975
Antique Auto are considered permanent
1975 motorcycle
white/maroon
never known of another motorcycle sample; consider this prototype
c.1987 passenger
4th photo used as 1989 personalized design
2nd photo used as 1991 personalized design
1991 Commission on Higher Education
regular issues had single number, no leading zero
never issued in pairs; could be color test of the blue letters/numbers
c.1997 passenger
c.2000 Permanent Apportioned Truck/Trailer
2008 passenger plate vote
these are artist renditions - unlikely that any actual prototype was ever made
1st design won the online vote by a wide margin. "South Carolina" moved to the top with "Travel2SC.com" on the bottom
SPECIALTY PLATES
no samples of specialty plates exist
Blanks are made as color test and layout approval for DMV internal use. Then, 3 prototypes are made with serial number 000 or non-standard number for (1) DMV administrative approval; (2) organizational approval; (3) Highway Patrol road test for visibility.
1997 Endangered Species
regular issues in "H1234" format
no samples of specialty plates exist
Protos are made to consider possible designs and/or to confirm colors and design.
Not known if every plate type is made as a prototype. Most are 1-of-a-kind.
black/purple or light blue
actual colors used: red/white
white/red
actual colors used: white/blue
white/blue, correct colors
white/maroon, ultimately used in 1975
Antique Auto are considered permanent
white/maroon
never known of another motorcycle sample; consider this prototype
c.1987 passenger
4th photo used as 1989 personalized design
2nd photo used as 1991 personalized design
regular issues had single number, no leading zero
never issued in pairs; could be color test of the blue letters/numbers
c.1997 passenger
7th photo was Governor Beasley's proposal for design and slogan
8th photo used as 1998 general design
2008 passenger plate vote
these are artist renditions - unlikely that any actual prototype was ever made
1st design won the online vote by a wide margin. "South Carolina" moved to the top with "Travel2SC.com" on the bottom
no samples of specialty plates exist
Blanks are made as color test and layout approval for DMV internal use. Then, 3 prototypes are made with serial number 000 or non-standard number for (1) DMV administrative approval; (2) organizational approval; (3) Highway Patrol road test for visibility.
1997 Endangered Speciesregular issues in "H1234" format
no samples of specialty plates exist
