front license plate (insurance, to buy, school)

[Slipmagt]

Just wondering whats up with these in SC, Just spent a few days there and Id say 1 car/truck out of 15 had an actual license plate on the front, and not just a vanity plate. Also in NY we have two stickers on the inside of our windshields. Noticed no one had that either, they are inspection, which I know SC doesnt have, and registration.

[gvillesc]

Originally Posted by Slipmagt

Just wondering whats up with these in SC, Just spent a few days there and Id say 1 car/truck out of 15 had an actual license plate on the front, and not just a vanity plate. Also in NY we have two stickers on the inside of our windshields. Noticed no one had that either, they are inspection, which I know SC doesnt have, and registration.

In SC, we have two stickers on the license plate for registration. One, that indicates the month of renewal, and one that indicates the year. With your registration every year, you get a new 'year' sticker for your tag. The month never changes.

As for front tags, I'm not sure what you're referring to. Some people who move here from out of state will put their old tag on the front, but to my knowledge no SC plates ever go on the front...

[myrc60]

that's right, you will get one plate; one plate only for your vehicle. Unfortunately this can lead to scams because if you don't see the rear of the car you have no idea what the plate number is; dumb SC law!

[motonenterprises]

Plates are for law enforcement, not civilians. Most cops are going to stop you from behind.

[MT Man]

Originally Posted by motonenterprises

Plates are for law enforcement, not civilians. Most cops are going to stop you from behind.

I have actually used the front plate when I was in a car that was hit & run. I was actually the victim of a hit & run once before, so this time (I wasn't driving), the first thing I did was turned around and got the license number. Sure enough, the kid ran. But, I had his plate # and the girl got her car fixed on his insurance. This, of course, was not in the state of SC. Because of my experience, I believe in using front plates as well.

As for inspection sticker as the OP talked about. That is nothing but another tax on people and a way to get older cars off the road. I'm sure it has always had backing by the car companies. I think it discriminates against poor people. Where is the ACLU on this one?

[JFRRACING]

i can relate to the op because i have lived in 2 other states that require a front and rear plate. but as for people having 2 different state plates that should be a missuse of plates. we got a plate made up to put on the front with our names on it just to have something nice looking on the bracket on the front. as for state inspections, that 's not a waste of money and it's not just for more taxes it's to make sure that everyone has good brakes so they don't kill you or someone else. most people that don't work on cars like myself wouldn't understand. most people unless their told need new brakes or other related safety items will just drive until the wheels fall off. so i think state inspections should be mandentory for peoples safety. this day and age i thought every state did that.

[waccamatt]

South Carolina used to require a front plate, but it has been about 25 years since that requirement ended. State inspections ended about 15 years ago - they were mostly a rip off to begin with.

[Tinabean]

I have to agree with JFRRACING......I remember growing up mama always dreaded inspection sticker time. We didn't have much money and the nice folks next door helped to keep mama's falling-apart car running enough to get her to work and me to school. Every time inspection rolled around we had to buy a tire (minimum) or fix a muffler with a hole in it or something. As much of a burden as it was on us back then, it probably saved our lives. I'm sure it was the only time our tires and brakes were checked for safety. When you have very little money, repairing things which are still getting you by isn't a priority. I think the safety inspection sticker is a good way to help protect everyone on the road.....

[GJBenn85]

JFRRACING,

Before I buy into your claim that the inspections actually improve safety, I want to see hard evidence such as a reduced accident rate as a direct result of inspections (most accidents are driver error, not because of mechanical issues). The government having to "inspect" each vehicle for safety is shifting responsibility away from the individual, which is a major fundamental problem in this country. Take responsibility for maintaining your vehicle (yourself or by using a mechanic) or get off the road. It is pathetic that anyone in a country as advanced and wealthy as the U.S. needs a government inspector to tell them what their car needs.

[MT Man]

JFRRACING
Have you seen how far they have gone with these inspections in some states (experience in MA)? They started as a quick tire/brake and emissions check. Now, if the back, middle seat seat belt doesn't work (in MA) your car is red tagged! They have done what every other gov't run thing in this country does and kept adding to it and adding to it until it has gotten so out of control that you literally need a new car to keep up. If I want to run my car for 50k miles with the check engine light on, I should have that right. Fortunately, in SC, we do!