Stacy Stanley | December 3, 2025 | Car Accidents
Drivers moving to or visiting North Myrtle Beach often want to know whether South Carolina requires a front license plate. The rule is simple: South Carolina does not require front plates. Every registered vehicle in the state gets one plate, and it must be mounted on the rear.
Even though the law is clear, many drivers still have questions about visibility, out-of-state plates, and whether not having a front plate can affect a traffic stop or an insurance claim.
Does South Carolina Require a Front License Plate?
South Carolina is a single-plate state, which means:
- All registered vehicles receive one license plate.
- That plate must be displayed on the rear of the car.
- Drivers are not required to mount anything on the front of their vehicle.
The rule applies everywhere in the state, including in North Myrtle Beach. The law does not make any special exceptions for coastal cities, tourist areas, rental cars, or out-of-state visitors who are temporarily driving in the area.
Why South Carolina Uses Only One Plate
Unlike some states that require front plates for visibility or toll-reading systems, South Carolina operates a one-plate system because it is less expensive for the state to administer and easier for drivers to comply with. The vehicle code only requires a rear plate, and law enforcement officers are trained to identify vehicles using that single plate.
Are Out-of-State Drivers Required to Have a Front Plate?
If your home state issues two plates, you must follow the laws of your home state, which means:
- If your state requires a front plate, you must keep it on at all times, even while visiting South Carolina.
- If your state only issues one plate, having a bare front bumper is fine.
- Rental cars from other states may or may not have front plates, depending on where the car is registered.
If you get pulled over in North Myrtle Beach for something unrelated, an officer cannot ticket you solely because you are displaying your plate according to your home state’s rules.
Can You Be Pulled Over for Not Having a Front Plate in South Carolina?
If the car is registered in South Carolina, officers do not have a reason to stop you for having no front plate. Since the law requires only a rear plate, the absence of a front plate is not a violation.
You can be stopped, however, if:
- Your rear plate is missing.
- The plate is obstructed.
- The plate is unreadable.
- The plate is not properly illuminated at night.
Traffic stops involving plate issues can also result in citations for other violations if they are discovered during the stop.
Does Not Having a Front Plate Affect Accident Claims?
For South Carolina-registered vehicles, no. Since the law does not require a front plate, insurance companies cannot use the lack of a front plate to assign fault.
However, a front-plate issue may arise if:
- The car is from a two-plate state, and the driver removed it.
- The missing plate makes it more difficult to identify the vehicle in a hit-and-run incident.
- A driver violates another traffic rule connected to visibility or improper equipment.
South Carolina uses a fault-based system for auto accidents. Drivers pursue claims against the person who caused the crash rather than relying on PIP coverage.
Contact Our Little River Car Accident Lawyers at Stanley Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
South Carolina issues a single rear plate for most vehicles, and that rule applies statewide, including in North Myrtle Beach. Out-of-state drivers must follow their home state’s display rules, but South Carolina drivers do not have to mount anything on the front of the vehicle. The only legal requirement is to keep the rear plate visible, readable, and properly lit.
If you need help after a wreck, call our Little River car accident lawyers at Stanley Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
For more information, please contact Stanley Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Aynor, or across South Carolina.
We proudly serve Horry County and its surrounding areas.
Stanley Personal Injury Lawyers – Little River Office
3303 Hwy 9 E, Little River, SC 29566, United States
(843) 390-9111
Stanley Personal Injury Lawyers – North Myrtle Beach Office
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1016 2nd Ave N Suite F, 2nd Floor, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
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604 8th Ave, Aynor, SC 29511