First issue 1972, though earlier types are believed to exist through political connections
up to 7 characters used, including ampersand (&) Issued in pairs 1972-1974 Used passenger colors/design 1972-1978 1972 white/black 1973 white/blue 1974 white/green 1975 white/maroon 1976-1978 passenger stickers Bicentennial base 1979 "1979" bottom black/white 1980 same as 1981 passenger base, with raised blue border "1980" top state-outline design 1981 "1981" bottom red/white 1982 "EXP NOV. 30TH 82" top green letters/white background 1983 same as 1981 passenger base; raised blue border "EXP NOV. 30TH 83" top state-outline design 1984 "EXP NOV. 30TH 84" top (variation: NOV.30 {no TH} known) white/blue 1985 same as 1986 passenger base; blue raised border used NOV month sticker and unique "85" sticker Palmetto base design 1986 "EXP NOV. 30 86" bottom white/green 1987 same as 1981 passenger base; raised blue border "19 NOV.30 87" top state-outline design 1988 raised blue border; November month sticker; embossed "88" bottom right. blue mountains at top; green seagrass bottom; white serial field 1989 TYPE 1 staggered month registration; "89" embossed bottom right. same as 1988 design 2 styles of stamped "89" 1989 TYPE 2 yellow stripes top and bottom; white cresent moon white in top right; "THE PALMETTO STATE" top; white serial field; brown serial; month sticker bottom left; "89" embossed bottom right. 2 styles of stamped "89" Rare type with no "89" with sticker box 1989 TYPE 3 light yellow background with green rolling mountains design bottom half; palmetto frawns top left; green serial letters; month sticker bottom left; embossed "90" bottom right. exists with and without embossed border 1990 staggered month registration; "90" embossed bottom right. same as 1989, Type 3 design exists with and without embossed border 1991-2008 green mountains top; "Nothing Could Be Finer" top inside mountains; green seagrass bottom; month sticker bottom left; screenprinted "91" in sticker well bottom right; renewed with passenger stickers 2008-present same design as 1991-2008; flat (digitally screened serial) beginning September, 2008; existing issues renewed with passenger stickers. May have a handicapped symbol beginning March 22, 2010. |