The U.S. state of South Carolina first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1917.

As of 2023[update], plates are issued by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.

Only rear plates have been required since 1975.

In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes.

[1] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first South Carolina license plate that complied with these standards.