Antique Plates

Qualifying for an Antique Plate

To qualify for an Antique license plate, all of the following must be true:

  • You own a vehicle, automobile, or motorcycle that is at least 25 years old.
  • You use the vehicle only for club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, or similar events.
  • You do not use the vehicle for general transportation.

Applying for an Antique Plate

You may apply for an Antique license plate by mail.

You should complete the License Plate Application for Antique Motor Vehicles and Antique Motorcycles (SCDMV Form MV-95B) and mail it the address below:

SCDMV
Personalized Plates
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0038

When the vehicle is sold, junked, or otherwise disposed of, you must turn in the antique plate.

Year of Manufacture Plates

If you own certain vehicles that are at least 30 years old, you can apply to use a license plate issued by South Carolina in the year corresponding to the model year of the vehicle. If approved by the SCDMV, the Year of Manufacture plate can be used on the vehicle as a regular plate. These plates can only be used on automobiles and light trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 11,000 pounds or less and an empty weight of 9,000 pounds or less.

Qualifying for a Year of Manufacture Plate

You may qualify for a Year of Manufacture license plate if all of the following are true:

  • You own a vehicle that is at least 30 years old.
  • You drive that vehicle like a regular vehicle.
  • Your automobile, light truck, or vehicle that you own does not have a gross vehicle weight more than 11,000 pounds and an empty weight more than 9,000 pounds.

Unlike an Antique plate, you may regularly drive a vehicle with a Year of Manufacture plate.

Applying for a Year of Manufacture Plate

If you qualify for this type of license plate, you may apply for it by completing the Application for Year of Manufacture License Plate (SCDMV Form RG-505A) and including additional information that's found below. 

The SCDMV does not sell or issue these plates. You can buy these plates through a store, but you are responsible for understanding and meeting all requirements before buying a plate.

Certain number sequences are not available for use as a Year of Manufacture plate. Other number sequences are available only on a limited basis. If you’re seeking to use a Year of Manufacture plate, contact the SCDMV’s Personalized Plate Unit at 803-896-9638 to determine whether a desired plate number is available before you buy the plate.

Once the plate number has been reserved, you may apply for the plate by mailing all of the following documents to the address below: 

SCDMV
Personalized Plates
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0038