If a motorist completes the registration renewal process but South Carolina registration sticker was not received in the mail, this problem must be dealt with quickly by the vehicle owner to avoid any issues with the state authorities. A DMV sticker not received on time could be due to several causes, including a problem with the driver’s recently submitted registration application. In other cases, a South Carolina resident may not receive his or her expected registration decal due to an error in the address recorded with the SC Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV).

No matter the reason a license plate sticker was not received, the vehicle owner is required to either submit a renewal request or complete the registration replacement process to receive new car tags as soon as possible. When the expiration date of a vehicle registration is approaching, most SC drivers choose to renew their complete registration packet instead of just requesting new stickers. SC residents have the option of submitting registration renewal requests online and by paper, while replacement requests can only be made by paper application. Read on to learn more about how to renew or replace missing SC car tags today.

Common Reasons for a Registration Sticker Not Being Received in South Carolina

Learning where to get a registration sticker in South Carolina is a simple process, but it is important to identify why a driver’s car decal is missing before moving forward with a solution. Drivers who have recently submitted a request for a new or renewed DMV registration sticker and card but have not received any of the expected material in the mail are most likely facing a problem with some aspect of their application. For example, drivers may not have current address information at the DMV if they have moved or changed a mailing address since the last renewal period. These drivers will need to resolve the issue with the SCDMV.

SC residents can request to replace a sticker online or in person through the vehicle registration renewal process. Before renewing, residents must make sure their address is correct in the DMV database. If a car sticker is not received, it may be the result of a resident not paying his or her property taxes to a county office. Alternately, the county tax office may fail to inform the DMV of a resident’s tax payments. If that is the case, drivers must make sure to show the DMV and the county tax office proof of payment as necessary. With simple errors like this when ordering a registration sticker online and by paper, contacting the SCDMV can sometimes clear up the issue quickly.

Can I legally drive if my South Carolina registration sticker was not received?

Whatever the cause for a missing car tag sticker, SC drivers are required to have current and valid registration documents with them at all times when operating a motor vehicle. Even if the reason for a license sticker not received lies with the SCDMV, drivers can be penalized for operating a motor vehicle without carrying both his or her registration card and car decal if they have not received a temporary registration permit from the SCDMV.

Additional Consequences of a Car Sticker Not Received in South Carolina

A driver operating a vehicle without a valid registration decal or card will be subject to fines if stopped by the police. Driving a car with an expired car registration and decal can result in additional fines. If a SC driver does not pay fines for driving without valid registration, drivers may face increased penalties.

Steps to Take If Your South Carolina DMV Sticker Was Not Received

When an SC driver does not receive the registration decal for his or her South Carolina license plate, he or she can respond in a few different ways. Ordering a simple SCDMV sticker replacement might be all that is needed for drivers with up-to-date registration documents and SCDMV profiles. If his or her registration card and decal were about to expire, however, submitting a car plate sticker renewal request will both renew all of the vehicle’s registration documents and issue a new car decal to the driver.

When a decal is not received by a driver with an expiring registration, he or she should request a registration renewal by providing the following information:

  • Proof of having paid appropriate country taxes
  • Proof of valid auto insurance
  • Payment of the applicable $6 fee

SC drivers who are interested only in receiving replacement decals must complete the required duplicate registration application form and pay the set fee to receive duplicate stickers.

Where to Get Registration Sticker Replacements in South Carolina

South Carolina car plate sticker renewal requests can be made online, by mail or in-person at the driver’s nearest SCDMV location. While the online submission process is often the faster option, many SC drivers choose to submit applications in person so that they can receive the help of an SCDMV representative or by mail to avoid a trip to the SCDMV altogether.

Requests for a SCDMV sticker replacement can only by submitted by mail or in-person at this time, with payment expected by check or money order made out to the “SCDMV.”

Last updated on Tuesday, March 10 2020.