Prototypes & Color Test Error Unknown Souvenir/Special Event

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

1964 dealer color test/layout test

black/white

actual dealer what white/black with bottom legend "SC-DEALER-64"

1966 color test white/red

actual colors used: white/blue

1969 die and spacing test

white/blue, correct colors

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

1976 Public Service Commission truck

1977 truck or personalized

c.1987 passenger candidates for general issue

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 candidates for general issue

7th photo was Governor Beasley's proposal for design and slogan

8th photo used as 1998 general design

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