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 (pair)
white/black
1973 (pair)
white/blue
1974 (pair)
white/green
1975 (single)
white/maroon
1976-1978 (single)
passenger stickers Bicentennial base
1979 (single)
"1979" bottom black/white
1980 (single)
same as 1981 passenger base, with raised blue border "1980" top state-outline design
1981 (single)
"1981" bottom red/white
1982 (single)
"EXP NOV. 30TH 82" top green letters/white background
1983 (single)
same as 1981 passenger base; raised blue border "EXP NOV. 30TH 83" top state-outline design
1984 (single)
"EXP NOV. 30TH 84" top (variation: NOV.30 {no 'TH'} known) white/blue
1985 (single)
same as 1986 passenger base; blue raised border used NOV month sticker and unique "85" sticker Palmetto base design
1986 (single)
"EXP NOV. 30 86" bottom white/green
1987 (single)
same as 1981 passenger base; raised blue border "19 NOV.30 87" top state-outline design
1988 (single)
raised blue border; November month sticker; embossed "88" bottom right. blue mountains at top; green seagrass bottom; white serial field
1989 TYPE 1 (single)
staggered month registration; "89" embossed bottom right. same as 1988 design 2 styles of stamped "89"
1989 TYPE 2 (single)
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 (single)
light yellow background with green rolling mountains design bottom half; palmetto frawns top left; green serial letters; month sticker bottom left; embossed "89" bottom right. exists with and without embossed border
1990 (single)
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.
DMV photo