S 1316 Session 109 (1991-1992)
S 1316 General Bill, By Drummond
A Bill to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Sections
56-3-251, 56-3-252, 56-3-253, and 56-3-254 so as to require the Department of
Highways and Public Transportation to develop a county property tax sticker
and provide for related requirements and penalties, biennial registration of
motor vehicles, and requirements when delinquent property taxes are owed on a
vehicle; to amend Section 56-3-20, relating to definitions pertaining to motor
vehicle registration and licensing, so as to define "freeze a vehicle's
title"; to amend Section 56-3-350, relating to the refusal by the Department
to register and license or transfer registration, so as to provide additional
circumstances under which refusal is authorized; to amend Section 56-3-376, as
amended, relating to the system of registration, so as to delete references to
a repealed Section, change the references to annual to biennial, and revise
the registration fees and period; to amend Section 56-3-377, relating to the
expiration of registration, so as to delete the reference to a repealed
section and change the reference to annual to biennial, and the expiration
from twelve to twenty-four months; to amend Section 56-3-385, relating to
extension of the deadline for license plates and stickers, so as to change the
reference to annual to biennial; to amend Section 56-3-420, relating to
registration and licensing of automobile utility trailers, so as to provide an
additional authorization to refuse registration and licensing; to amend
Section 56-3-610, relating to the payment for registration and licensing, so
as to change the reference to annual to biennial; to amend Section 56-3-620,
relating to the registration fees for certain vehicles, and Section 56-3-640,
relating to registration and license fees for common carrier passenger
vehicles, so as to change the references to annual to biennial and revise the
fees; to amend Section 56-3-660, as amended, relating to fees, registration,
and licensing for self-propelled property carrying vehicles, so as to change
the references to annual to biennial, change the registration and licensing
period, and revise the fees; to amend Section 56-3-670, relating to special
farm vehicle licenses for farm trucks, Section 56-3-700, relating to
registration fees for trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers, Section
56-3-710, relating to registration fees for house trailers, Section 56-3-720,
relating to registration fees for campers and travel trailers, Section
56-3-740, relating to registration fees for trackless trolley buses, Section
56-3-750, relating to registration and license fees for special mobile
equipment vehicles, and Section 56-3-760, relating to registration fees for
motorcycles and motor-driven cycles, so as to change the references to annual
to biennial and revise the fees; to amend Section 56-3-770, relating to
registration and license fees for motor vehicles with solid tires, so as to
change the references to annual to biennial; to amend Section 56-3-780,
relating to permanent license plates for state political subdivision and civil
air patrol motor vehicles, so as to change the references to annual to
biennial and revise the fees; to amend Section 56-3-900, relating to refunds
of registration and license fees, so as to include biennial registration; to
amend Section 56-3-1230, relating to specifications for license plates and
revalidation stickers, so as to change the references to annual to biennial;
to amend Section 56-3-1510, 56-3-1520, and 56-3-1530, relating to special
license plates for amateur radio operators, so as to change the references to
annual to biennial, revise the registration fees, and change the reference to
the licensing period; to amend Sections 56-3-1610 and 56-3-1630, relating to
special license plates for emergency medical technicians, Sections 56-3-1750
and 56-3-1760, relating to special license plates for members of the United
States Military Reserve, and Section 56-3-1820, relating to special license
plates for members of the National Guard, so as to change the references to
annual to biennial and revise the registration fees; to amend Sections
56-3-2010 and 56-3-2020, relating to special personalized license plates for
certain persons, so as to change the references to annual to biennial, revise
the registration fees, and change the reference to the licensing period; to
amend Sections 56-3-2150 and 56-3-2160, relating to special license plates for
the transportation of house trailers, Sections 56-3-2810 and 56-3-2820,
relating to special license plates for volunteer firemen, and Sections
56-3-3310 and 56-3-3320, relating to special license plates for recipients of
the purple heart, so as to change the references to annual to biennial and
change the licensing period; to amend Section 56-3-3710, relating to special
license plates with college or university emblems, Section 56-3-3910, relating
to special license plates commemorating the State Dance, and Section
56-3-3950, relating to special "Keep South Carolina Beautiful" license plates,
so as to change the references to annual to biennial, revise the registration
fees, and change the licensing period; and to repeal Section 56-3-375 relating
to the registration schedule for motor vehicles.
02/20/92 Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-9
02/20/92 Senate Referred to Committee on Finance SJ-9
A BILL
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976,
BY ADDING SECTIONS 56-3-251, 56-3-252, 56-3-253, AND
56-3-254 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS
AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO DEVELOP A COUNTY
PROPERTY TAX STICKER AND PROVIDE FOR RELATED
REQUIREMENTS AND PENALTIES, BIENNIAL REGISTRATION
OF MOTOR VEHICLES, AND REQUIREMENTS WHEN
DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES ARE OWED ON A VEHICLE;
TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-20, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS
PERTAINING TO MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND
LICENSING, SO AS TO DEFINE "FREEZE A VEHICLE'S
TITLE"; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-350, RELATING TO THE
REFUSAL BY THE DEPARTMENT TO REGISTER AND LICENSE
OR TRANSFER REGISTRATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE
ADDITIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH REFUSAL IS
AUTHORIZED; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-376, AS AMENDED,
RELATING TO THE SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION, SO AS TO
DELETE REFERENCES TO A REPEALED SECTION, CHANGE
THE REFERENCES TO ANNUAL TO BIENNIAL, AND REVISE
THE REGISTRATION FEES AND PERIOD; TO AMEND SECTION
56-3-377, RELATING TO THE EXPIRATION OF REGISTRATION,
SO AS TO DELETE THE REFERENCE TO A REPEALED SECTION
AND CHANGE THE REFERENCE TO ANNUAL TO BIENNIAL,
AND THE EXPIRATION FROM TWELVE TO TWENTY-FOUR
MONTHS; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-385, RELATING TO
EXTENSION OF THE DEADLINE FOR LICENSE PLATES AND
STICKERS, SO AS TO CHANGE THE REFERENCE TO ANNUAL
TO BIENNIAL; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-420, RELATING TO
REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF AUTOMOBILE UTILITY
TRAILERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL
AUTHORIZATION TO REFUSE REGISTRATION AND
LICENSING; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-610, RELATING TO THE
PAYMENT FOR REGISTRATION AND LICENSING, SO AS TO
CHANGE THE REFERENCE TO ANNUAL TO BIENNIAL; TO
AMEND SECTION 56-3-620, RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION
FEES FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES, AND SECTION 56-3-640,
RELATING TO REGISTRATION AND LICENSE FEES FOR
COMMON CARRIER PASSENGER VEHICLES, SO AS TO
CHANGE THE REFERENCES TO ANNUAL TO BIENNIAL AND
REVISE THE FEES; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-660, AS
AMENDED, RELATING TO FEES, REGISTRATION, AND
LICENSING FOR SELF-PROPELLED PROPERTY CARRYING
VEHICLES, SO AS TO CHANGE THE REFERENCES TO ANNUAL
TO BIENNIAL, CHANGE THE REGISTRATION AND LICENSING
PERIOD, AND REVISE THE FEES; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-670,
RELATING TO SPECIAL FARM VEHICLE LICENSES FOR FARM
TRUCKS, SECTION 56-3-700, RELATING TO REGISTRATION
FEES FOR TRAILERS, SEMITRAILERS, AND POLE TRAILERS,
SECTION 56-3-710, RELATING TO REGISTRATION FEES FOR
HOUSE TRAILERS, SECTION 56-3-720, RELATING TO
REGISTRATION FEES FOR CAMPERS AND TRAVEL TRAILERS,
SECTION 56-3-740, RELATING TO REGISTRATION FEES FOR
TRACKLESS TROLLEY BUSES, SECTION 56-3-750, RELATING
TO REGISTRATION AND LICENSE FEES FOR SPECIAL MOBILE
EQUIPMENT VEHICLES, AND SECTION 56-3-760, RELATING TO
REGISTRATION FEES FOR MOTORCYCLES AND
MOTOR-DRIVEN CYCLES, SO AS TO CHANGE THE
REFERENCES TO ANNUAL TO BIENNIAL AND REVISE THE
FEES; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-770, RELATING TO
REGISTRATION AND LICENSE FEES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
WITH SOLID TIRES, SO AS TO CHANGE THE REFERENCES TO
ANNUAL TO BIENNIAL; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-780,
RELATING TO PERMANENT LICENSE PLATES FOR STATE
POLITICAL SUBDIVISION AND CIVIL AIR PATROL MOTOR
VEHICLES, SO AS TO CHANGE THE REFERENCE TO ANNUAL
TO BIENNIAL AND REVISE THE FEES; TO AMEND SECTION
56-3-900, RELATING TO REFUNDS OF REGISTRATION AND
LICENSE FEES, SO AS TO INCLUDE BIENNIAL REGISTRATION;
TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-1230, RELATING TO
SPECIFICATIONS FOR LICENSE PLATES AND REVALIDATION
STICKERS, SO AS TO CHANGE THE REFERENCE TO ANNUAL
TO BIENNIAL; TO AMEND SECTIONS 56-3-1510, 56-3-1520, AND
56-3-1530, RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES FOR
AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS, SO AS TO CHANGE THE
REFERENCE TO ANNUAL TO BIENNIAL, REVISE THE
REGISTRATION FEES, AND CHANGE THE REFERENCE TO THE
LICENSING PERIOD; TO AMEND SECTIONS 56-3-1610 AND
56-3-1630, RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES FOR
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS, SECTIONS 56-3-1750
AND 56-3-1760, RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES FOR
MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY RESERVE, AND
SECTION 56-3-1820, RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES
FOR MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD, SO AS TO CHANGE
THE REFERENCES TO ANNUAL TO BIENNIAL AND REVISE
THE REGISTRATION FEES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 56-3-2010
AND 56-3-2020, RELATING TO SPECIAL PERSONALIZED
LICENSE PLATES FOR CERTAIN PERSONS, SO AS TO CHANGE
THE REFERENCES TO ANNUAL TO BIENNIAL, REVISE THE
REGISTRATION FEES, AND CHANGE THE REFERENCE TO THE
LICENSING PERIOD; TO AMEND SECTIONS 56-3-2150 AND
56-3-2160, RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES FOR THE
TRANSPORTATION OF HOUSE TRAILERS, SECTIONS 56-3-2810
AND 56-3-2820, RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES FOR
VOLUNTEER FIREMEN, AND SECTIONS 56-3-3310 AND
56-3-3320, RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES FOR
RECIPIENTS OF THE PURPLE HEART, SO AS TO CHANGE THE
REFERENCES TO ANNUAL TO BIENNIAL AND CHANGE THE
LICENSING PERIOD; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-3710, RELATING
TO SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES WITH COLLEGE OR
UNIVERSITY EMBLEMS, SECTION 56-3-3910, RELATING TO
SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES COMMEMORATING THE STATE
DANCE, AND SECTION 56-3-3950, RELATING TO SPECIAL
"KEEP SOUTH CAROLINA BEAUTIFUL" LICENSE
PLATES, SO AS TO CHANGE THE REFERENCES TO ANNUAL TO
BIENNIAL, REVISE THE REGISTRATION FEES, AND CHANGE
THE LICENSING PERIOD; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 56-3-375
RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION SCHEDULE FOR MOTOR
VEHICLES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 56-3-251. The department shall develop and pay for
an annual South Carolina County Property Tax Sticker to be issued by
county treasurers upon the annual payment of the property tax due on a
vehicle owned by a resident of their county and registered or to be
registered in South Carolina. The sticker must have a distinctive serial
number, show the name of the county which issued the sticker, be color
coded by year, and conspicuously show the month the latest day of
which the validity of the sticker expires.
Section 56-3-252. Beginning July 1, 1992, license plates which
expire after May 31, 1993, are not valid unless a valid South Carolina
County Property Tax Sticker is affixed in the upper left or right corner
of the license plate, as determined by the department. Operating a
vehicle without a valid sticker is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of
not less than one hundred nor more than two hundred dollars or
imprisonment not more than thirty days for a first offense. A second
offense is punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred fifty nor
more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment not more than forty-five
days. A third and subsequent offense is punishable by fine of not less
than five hundred nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisonment
not more than sixty days.
Section 56-3-253. (A) Vehicles required by Chapter 3 of Title
56 to be registered biennially must be assigned registration periods as
provided in this section.
(1) Upon the first reregistration of the vehicles by the
department after the effective date of the implementation of biennial
licensure, a biennial registration period must be implemented as follows:
(a) Vehicles whose license plates end in:
(i) an even number and expire between July 1, 1992,
and December 31, 1992, shall obtain a biennial registration;
(ii) an even number and expire between January 1,
1993, and June 30, 1993, shall reregister their vehicles for one year. At
the end of this time they shall reregister their vehicles for two years and
biennially after that time;
(iii) an odd number and expire between July 1, 1992,
and December 31, 1992, shall register their vehicles for one year. At the
end of that time they shall register their vehicles for two years and
biennially after that time;
(iv) an odd number and expire between January 1, 1993,
and June 30, 1993, shall obtain a biennial registration;
(v) `A' through `L' and expire between July 1, 1992,
and June 30, 1993, shall obtain a biennial registration;
` (vi) M' through `Z' and expire between July 1, 1992, and
June 30, 1993, shall obtain a one-year registration and a biennial
registration after that time.
(b) Vehicles registered in South Carolina for the first time
between:
(i) July 1, 1992, and December 31, 1992, and issued a
license plate ending in an even number shall obtain a biennial
registration;
(ii) July 1, 1992, and December 31, 1992, issued a
license plate ending in an odd number shall obtain a one-year
registration. At the end of that time they shall register their vehicles for
two years and biennially after that time;
(iii) January 1, 1993, and June 30, 1993, issued a license
plate ending in an even number shall obtain a one-year registration. At
the end of that time they shall register their vehicles for two years and
biennially after that time;
(iv) January 1, 1993, and June 30, 1993, and issued a
license plate ending in an odd number shall obtain a biennial
registration;
(v) July 1, 1992, and June 30, 1993, and issued license
plates which end in `A' through `L' shall obtain a biennial registration;
(vi) July 1, 1992, and June 30, 1993, and issued license
plates which end in `M' through `Z' shall obtain a one-year registration
and a biennial registration after that time.
(2) Registrations are valid until the last day of the month in
which the registration expires.
(B) After June 30, 1993, vehicles must be registered and licensed
for twenty-four consecutive months, and registrations expire the last day
of the month. The registration and license must be renewed biennially
upon application by the owner and payment of fees required by law to
take effect on the first day of the month following the expiration of the
registration and license to be renewed. This section does not prevent the
department from refusing to license a vehicle.
Section 56-3-254. During the registration period of a vehicle
registered with the department, if a political subdivision of the State
notifies the department delinquent property taxes are owed on the
vehicle, the department immediately shall cancel the vehicle's
registration, license, license plates, or other documents issued by the
department and repossess them within thirty days of their cancellation.
The department shall refuse to reregister the vehicle and immediately
freeze the vehicle's title until the taxes are paid in full. Once the
vehicle's title has been frozen by the department, it must not be
transferred or amended including allowing the transference of the title
to another state. Upon freezing the title the department shall notify all
holders of liens against the vehicle that the vehicle's title has been
frozen. The vehicle's applicant-owner shall pay twenty-five dollars to
the department to cover the cost of repossession and collection if the
license and registration are canceled."
SECTION 2. Section 56-3-20 of the 1976 Code is amended by
adding an appropriately numbered item to read:
"( ) `Freeze a vehicle's title': A motor vehicle's title must not
be amended. Amendment includes, but is not limited to, transfer of the
title to a new owner, removal of liens present on the title, or transfer of
the title to a new state."
SECTION 3. Section 56-3-350 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 56-3-350. The department shall refuse to register
and license or to transfer registration upon any one
or more of the following grounds:
(1) That The application contains any a
false or fraudulent statement or that the applicant has failed
to furnish not furnished required information or reasonable
additional information requested by the department;.
(2) That The vehicle is mechanically unfit or unsafe to be
operated or moved upon the highways;.
(3) That The department has reasonable ground to believe
that the vehicle is a stolen vehicle or that
the registration and licensing or transfer is a fraud against the rightful
owner of such the vehicle;.
(4) That The registration and license of the vehicle
stands is canceled, suspended, or revoked
for any reason, as provided in this chapter or other motor vehicle
laws of this State;.
(5) That The required fee has not been paid;
and.
(6) That in the case of For a vehicle purchased
outside this State, satisfactory evidence of the payment
of the South Carolina use tax has not been presented.
(7) A political subdivision of the State has notified the
department that the applicant is delinquent in paying:
(a) over seventy-five dollars in parking ticket fines on the vehicle
for which registration is requested;
(b) property taxes on the vehicle for which registration is
requested."
SECTION 4. Section 56-3-376 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by
Act 148 of 1991, is further amended to read:
"Section 56-3-376. All vehicles except those vehicles
designated in Sections 56-3-375 and Section 56-3-780
are designated as distinct classifications and must be assigned an
annual a biennial registration period as follows:
(1) Classification (1). Vehicles for which the
annual biennial registration fee is eighty one
hundred sixty dollars or more. The department may register and
license a vehicle for which the annual biennial
registration fee is eighty one hundred sixty dollars or
more for a semiannual an annual registration or
one-half year beginning on April January first
and ending on September thirtieth December thirty-first
of the same year upon application to the department by the owner and
the payment of one-half of the specified annual biennial
fee. The license and registration fee for vehicles in this classification
which are registered for the remaining eleven
twenty-three months or less of the twelve
twenty-four month license year ending on March
thirty-first or the remaining five eleven months or
less for the one-half annual period ending on
September thirtieth is the proportionate part of the specified
annual biennial fee for the remainder of the year
two years or one-half year based on one-twelfth
twenty-fourth of the specified twelve
twenty-four month fee for each month or part of a month
remaining in the registration and license year years or
one-half year. Semiannual or half-year Annual
registrations and licenses for the first period from April first to
September thirtieth expire at midnight on
September thirtieth December thirty-first of the same
year, and no person shall may drive, move, or
operate a vehicle upon a highway after the expiration of the registration
and license until the vehicle is registered and licensed for the then
current period. Trucks, truck tractors, or road tractors having a load
capacity of not more than one ton with an empty or unloaded weight
of over four thousand pounds, and trucks, truck tractors, or road
tractors with a load capacity of not more than two tons and with an
empty or unloaded weight of over four thousand pounds also
must be placed in this classification but may must not
be registered for less than a full annual biennial period.
(2) Classification (2). Other vehicles. All other vehicles
except those vehicles described in Section 56-3-375 and
classification item (1) of this section are assigned
an annual biennial registration which begins on
December first of each year and expires on November thirtieth of the
next year except those vehicles defined in Section 56-3-700 whose
registration begins on April first of each year and expires on March
thirty-first of each year."
SECTION 5. Section 56-3-377 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 56-3-377. All vehicles as described in Section
56-3-375 and further described in Section 56-3-210 of the 1976
Code shall must be assigned an annual a
biennial registration period which shall expire twelve
expires twenty-four months from the month in which
such the registration was first was
issued."
SECTION 6. Section 56-3-385 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 56-3-385. When the last day of a month on which
a person may obtain his annual biennial motor vehicle
license plate or renewal sticker without penalty falls on a Saturday,
Sunday, or state holiday, the person has until the end of the next
working day immediately following that Saturday, Sunday, or state
holiday to obtain his license plate or renewal sticker without
penalty."
SECTION 7. Section 56-3-420 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 56-3-420. The department may
shall refuse to license and register any an
automobile utility trailer if one or more of the following apply:
(1) Any The required fee is not
paid;.
(2) The application contains a false or fraudulent statement;
or.
(3) The applicant fails to furnish information or,
documents, or any additional information the
department reasonably requires.
(4) A political subdivision of the State notifies the department
the applicant is delinquent in paying over seventy-five dollars in parking
ticket fines or paying property taxes on the vehicle for which registration
and licensing is requested."
SECTION 8. Section 56-3-610 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 56-3-610. The owner of every motor vehicle, trailer,
semitrailer, pole trailer, and special mobile equipment vehicle
required to be registered and licensed under the provisions of
this chapter shall pay to the department at the time of registering and
licensing such the vehicle and annually
thereafter biennially after that time registration and license
fees as set forth in this article."
SECTION 9. Section 56-3-620 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 56-3-620. (1)(A) For persons
sixty-five years of age or older, or persons who are
handicapped, as this term is defined in Section
56-3-1950, the annual biennial registration fee for every
private passenger-carrying vehicle is ten twenty dollars.
(2)(B) Beginning July 1, 1987, for all
persons under the age of sixty-five years, the annual
biennial registration fee for every private passenger-carrying
vehicle is twelve twenty-four dollars.
(3)(C) For persons sixty-five years of age or older,
the annual biennial registration fee for any
a property-carrying vehicle with a gross weight of five thousand
pounds or less is fifteen thirty dollars."
SECTION 10. Section 56-3-640 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-640. (A) For every common carrier
passenger vehicle the annual biennial registration and
license fee shall be as follows is according to weight:
Weight Annual Fee
(1) not over 2000 lbs. $ 9.00 pounds:
$18.00;
(2) From 2001 lbs. to 2500 lbs.
12.00 pounds: $24.00;
(3) From 2501 lbs. to 3000 lbs.
15.00 pounds: $ 30.00;
(4) From 3001 lbs. to 3500 lbs.
18.00 pounds: $36.00;
(5) From 3501 lbs. to 4000 lbs.
21.00 pounds: $42.00;
(6) From 4001 lbs. to 4500 lbs.
24.00 pounds: $48.00;
(7) From 4501 lbs. to 5000 lbs.
27.00 pounds: $54.00;
(8) over five thousand 5000
pounds, twenty-seven dollars: $54.00 plus three
dollars $6.00 for each five hundred 500 pounds'
weight or fraction thereof over five thousand 5000
pounds.
(B) The department shall must include in
this classification every motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer
designed, used, or maintained for the transportation of persons
for compensation as a regular business, but. This
classification shall does not include a trackless trolley
bus.
(C) The manufacturer's rating on the weight of a vehicle
shall must be accepted as the weight of the vehicle for
the purpose of fixing the license fee under this item
section."
SECTION 11. Section 56-3-660 of the 1976 Code, as last amended
by Act 148 of 1991, is further amended to read:
"Section 56-3-660. (A) The determination of gross
vehicle weight for the purpose of registering to register
and licensing license self-propelled property carrying
vehicles is the empty weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles
and the heaviest load to be transported by the vehicle or combination of
vehicles as declared by the registered owner. All determinations of
weight must be made in units of one thousand pounds or major fraction
of one thousand pounds. The declared gross vehicle weight applies to
all self-propelled property carrying vehicles operating in tandem with
trailers or semitrailers, except that the gross weight of
a trailer or semitrailer is not required to be included when the operation
is to be in tandem with a self-propelled property carrying vehicle
which is licensed for six thousand pounds or less gross weight,
and the gross vehicle weight of the combination does not exceed nine
thousand pounds. The department may register and license a vehicle of
this classification for which the annual biennial
registration and license fee is eighty one hundred sixty
dollars or more for a semiannual or one-half year beginning
on April January first and ending on September
thirtieth of December thirty-first the same year upon
application to the department by the owner and the payment of the
appropriate fees. The registration and license fee for vehicles in this
classification which are registered for the remaining
eleven twenty-three months or less of the twelve
twenty-four month year ending on March
December thirty-first of the second year of the biennial
registration period or the remaining five eleven
months or less for the one-half year period ending
on September thirtieth December thirty-first is the
proportionate part of the specified biennial or annual fee for the
remainder of the two years or year or one-half year
based on one-twelfth twenty-fourth of the specified
twelve twenty-four month fee for each month
or part of a month remaining in the registration and license years
or year or one-half year. No proportionate fee may be
reduced lower than ten dollars. A person making application for a
registration and license for a motor vehicle of this classification shall
declare the true unloaded or empty weight of the vehicle.
(B) The biennial fees for the gross vehicle weight
are as follows:
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT FEE
(1) not over 4,000 pounds $15.00:
$30.00;
(2) 4,001 pounds to 5,000 pounds
20.00: $40.00;
(3) 5,001 pounds to 6,000 pounds
30.00: $60.00;
(4) 6,001 pounds to 7,000 pounds
35.00: $70.00;
(5) 7,001 pounds to 8,000 pounds
40.00: $80.00;
(6) 8,001 pounds to 9,000 pounds
45.00: $90.00;
(7) 9,001 pounds to 10,000 pounds
50.00: $100.00;
(8) 10,001 pounds to 11,000 pounds
55.00: $110.00;
(9) 11,001 pounds to 12,000 pounds
60.00: $120.00;
(10) 12,001 pounds to 13,000 pounds
65.00: $130.00;
(11) 13,001 pounds to 14,000 pounds
70.00: $140.00;
(12) 14,001 pounds to 15,000 pounds
75.00: $150.00;
(13) 15,001 pounds to 16,000 pounds
92.00: $184.00;
(14) 16,001 pounds to 17,000 pounds
97.75: $195.50;
(15) 17,001 pounds to 18,000 pounds
103.50: $207.00;
(16) 18,001 pounds to 19,000 pounds
109.25: $218.50;
(17) 19,001 pounds to 20,000 pounds
130.00: $260.00;
(18) 20,001 pounds to 21,000 pounds
136.50: $273.00;
(19) 21,001 pounds to 22,000 pounds
154.00: $308.00;
(20) 22,001 pounds to 23,000 pounds
161.00: $322.00;
(21) 23,001 pounds to 24,000 pounds
180.00: $360.00;
(22) 24,001 pounds to 25,000 pounds
187.50: $375.00;
(23) 25,001 pounds to 26,000 pounds
196.00: $392.00;
(24) 26,001 pounds to 27,000 pounds
204.00: $408.00;
(25) 27,001 pounds to 28,000 pounds
212.00: $424.00;
(26) 28,001 pounds to 29,000 pounds
219.00: $438.00;
(27) 29,001 pounds to 30,000 pounds
226.00: $452.00;
(28) 30,001 pounds to 31,000 pounds
234.00: $468.00;
(29) 31,001 pounds to 32,000 pounds
241.00: $482.00;
(30) 32,001 pounds to 33,000 pounds
249.00: $498.00;
(31) 33,001 pounds to 34,000 pounds
257.00: $514.00;
(32) 34,001 pounds to 35,000 pounds
264.00: $528.00;
(33) 35,001 pounds to 36,000 pounds
272.00: $544.00;
(34) 36,001 pounds to 37,000 pounds
279.00: $558.00;
(35) 37,001 pounds to 38,000 pounds
286.00: $572.00;
(36) 38,001 pounds to 39,000 pounds
294.00: $588.00;
(37) 39,001 pounds to 40,000 pounds
302.00: $604.00;
(38) 40,001 pounds to 41,000 pounds
308.00: $616.00;
(39) 41,001 pounds to 42,000 pounds
317.00: $634.00;
(40) 42,001 pounds to 43,000 pounds
325.00: $650.00;
(41) 43,001 pounds to 44,000 pounds
332.00: $664.00;
(42) 44,001 pounds to 45,000 pounds
340.00: $680.00;
(43) 45,001 pounds to 46,000 pounds
347.00: $694.00;
(44) 46,001 pounds to 47,000 pounds
354.00: $708.00;
(45) 47,001 pounds to 48,000 pounds
362.00: $724.00;
(46) 48,001 pounds to 49,000 pounds
370.00: $740.00;
(47) 49,001 pounds to 50,000 pounds
377.00: $754.00;
(48) 50,001 pounds to 51,000 pounds
385.00: $770.00;
(49) 51,001 pounds to 52,000 pounds
392.00: $784.00;
(50) 52,001 pounds to 53,000 pounds
400.00: $800.00;
(51) 53,001 pounds to 54,000 pounds
407.00: $814.00;
(52) 54,001 pounds to 55,000 pounds
415.00: $830.00;
(53) 55,001 pounds to 56,000 pounds
422.00: $844.00;
(54) 56,001 pounds to 57,000 pounds
430.00: $860.00;
(55) 57,001 pounds to 58,000 pounds
438.00: $876.00;
(56) 58,001 pounds to 59,000 pounds
445.00: $890.00;
(57) 59,001 pounds to 60,000 pounds
453.00: $906.00;
(58) 60,001 pounds to 61,000 pounds
460.00: $920.00;
(59) 61,001 pounds to 62,000 pounds
467.00: $934.00;
(60) 62,001 pounds to 63,000 pounds
475.00: $950.00;
(61) 63,001 pounds to 64,000 pounds
482.00: $964.00;
(62) 64,001 pounds to 65,000 pounds
566.00: $1,132.00;
(63) 65,001 pounds to 66,000 pounds
574.00: $1,148.00;
(64) 66,001 pounds to 67,000 pounds
583.00: $1,166.00;
(65) 67,001 pounds to 68,000 pounds
591.00: $1,182.00;
(66) 68,001 pounds to 69,000 pounds
600.00: $1,200.00;
(67) 69,001 pounds to 70,000 pounds
609.00: $1,218.00;
(68) 70,001 pounds to 71,000 pounds
618.00: $1,236.00;
(69) 71,001 pounds to 72,000 pounds
668.00: $1,336.00;
(70) 72,001 pounds to 73,000 pounds
677.00: $1,354.00;
(71) 73,001 pounds to 74,000 pounds
687.00: $1,374.00;
(72) 74,001 pounds to 75,000 pounds
696.00: $1,392.00;
(73) 75,001 pounds to 76,000 pounds
705.00: $1,410.00;
(74) 76,001 pounds to 77,000 pounds
758.00: $1,516.00;
(75) 77,001 pounds to 78,000 pounds
769.00: $1,538.00;
(76) 78,001 pounds to 79,000 pounds
779.00: $1,558.00;
(77) 79,001 pounds to 80,000 pounds
800.00: $1,600.00.
(C) Notwithstanding any other provision
provisions of this chapter, the department may enter into
agreement with other states in a registration and license reciprocal
agreement known as the international registration plan, and the
registration and license required in this section may be apportioned for
vehicles which qualify and are licensed in accordance with the
provisions of the International Registration plan. Such
The funds shall must be deposited to the State
Highway Fund as established in Section 57-11-20 and expended
for the law enforcement activities of the department and other purposes
as provided by law.
(D) An additional registration fee of $11.25 per
twenty-two dollars and fifty cents for each thousand pounds or
fraction thereof over 80,000 eighty thousand
pounds shall must be paid for all vehicles operated in
this State which exceed 80,000 eighty thousand pounds
gross vehicle weight. The payment of any an additional
registration fee for vehicles which are operated in excess of
80,000 eighty thousand pounds gross vehicle weight as
specified herein in this section is in addition to
any fees or penalties which may be required in
accordance with Section Sections 56-5-4160 and
Section 56-5-4170.
(E) Any A vehicle registered in this State
and found to be operating in excess of the gross vehicle weight
for which it is currently registered currently may be
impounded by the department until such time as
all registration fees, permit fees, or penalties are paid or arrangements
for payment of such fees and/or penalties satisfactory to the
department have been made.
(F) The department of Highways and Public
Transportation may register an apportionable vehicle for the
payment of one-half of this state's portion of the license fee for
any a vehicle whose portion owed to this State exceeds
four hundred dollars. The department may require any
information it considers necessary to complete the transaction. (G) Upon evidence of reliability in the payment of its obligations,
the department may accept the check of a motor carrier company in
payment of applicable fees and assessments."
SECTION 12. Section 56-3-670 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-670. (A) For the purpose of this
section `farm truck' is defined as a truck used exclusively by the owner
for agricultural, horticultural, and dairying operations or
livestock and poultry raising.
(B) The department shall issue to bona fide farmers
special farm vehicle licenses for farm trucks for a fee as
outlined below follows according to the maximum empty
weight of the truck:
Empty weight of truck
not to exceed License to be issued Fee
(1) 5,000 pounds: 4 ton or more:
5.00 $10.00;
(2) 7,500 pounds: 6 ton or more:
10.00 $20.00;
(3) 10,500 pounds: 8 ton or
more: 15.00 $30.00;
(4) 12,500 pounds: 10 ton or
more: 30.00 $60.00;
(5) 12,501 pounds and above:
(a) 15 ton or more: 60.00
$120.00;
(b) 20 ton: 80.00 $160.00;
(c) 25 ton: 100.00
$200.00;
(d) 30 ton: 120.00 $240.00.
(C) Any A person who shall
certify certifies to the department that he is a bona fide
farmer and who, is issued a farm license plate for the
purpose as defined herein in this section, and
who uses such the license plate for purposes
other than those defined shall be is guilty of a
misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall must be
punished by a fine of fined not more than two hundred
dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or
both."
SECTION 13. Section 56-3-700 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-700. For every trailer, semitrailer, or pole
trailer, the annual biennial registration fee shall be
ten is twenty dollars. The department shall
must include in this classification every trailer,
semitrailer, or pole trailer designed for carrying property,
except house trailers, utility trailers, and boat trailers as
otherwise provided for in this article. Semitrailers or pole trailers
weighing less than five hundred pounds with load capacity of less than
one thousand pounds and trailers and semitrailers with an actual
unloaded weight of fifteen hundred pounds or less and carrying a load
capacity not exceeding twenty-five hundred pounds and which are
designed, adapted, and used exclusively for agriculture,
horticulture, or livestock-raising operations or for lifting or
carrying an implement of husbandry need not be registered or
licensed."
SECTION 14. Section 56-3-710 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-710. For every house trailer, the
annual biennial fee shall be six is
twelve dollars. The department shall classify as a `house trailer'
every trailer or semitrailer which is designed, constructed, and
equipped as a dwelling, living abode, or sleeping place, either
permanently or temporarily, and is equipped for use as a conveyance on
streets or highways, or a trailer or semitrailer of similar nature
whose chassis and exterior shell is designed and constructed for use
either permanently or temporarily for advertising, sales,
display, or promotion of merchandise or services or for any
other another commercial purpose, except the
transportation of property for hire or the transportation of property for
distribution by a private carrier. The department may not license and
register a house trailer which exceeds the permissible size limitations
prescribed in Sections 56-5-4030, 56-5-4060, and 56-5-4070,
but such the house trailers which may be
permitted to be moved over the highways by the department under
special permits issued pursuant to Sections 56-5-4170 to 56-5-4200 shall
pay to the department a fee of five dollars per a
trip."
SECTION 15. Section 56-3-720 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-720. For every camper or travel trailer the
annual biennial registration fee shall be five
is ten dollars. The department shall must
include in this classification every trailer not more than thirty-five feet
long and eight feet wide which is primarily equipped, designed,
converted, or used for private living quarters by one or more
individuals and which is towed by a motor vehicle. The
department shall design a distinctive tag which shall
must be displayed on the exterior of the rear of the trailer in a
conspicuous place."
SECTION 16. Section 56-3-740 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-740. For every trackless trolley bus the
annual biennial registration fee shall be two
hundred is four hundred dollars for each such bus
weighing not over fifteen thousand pounds, exclusive of passengers, and
for each such bus weighing more than fifteen thousand pounds,
exclusive of passengers, an additional twenty forty
dollars for each additional one thousand pounds of weight or fraction
thereof. The department shall must include
under this classification every bus propelled by electric power obtained
from overhead trolley wires but not operated upon rails."
SECTION 17. Section 56-3-750 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-750. For every special mobile equipment
vehicle not exempt from the payment of an annual a
biennial registration and license fee under the provisions of
Section 56-3-120 the annual registration fee shall be five is
ten dollars for each such vehicle having a gross weight of
not more than four thousand pounds, and for every such vehicle
having a gross weight of more than four thousand pounds, an additional
sum of four eight dollars for each additional one
thousand pounds of weight or fraction thereof over four thousand
pounds."
SECTION 18. Section 56-3-760 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-760. For every motorcycle or motor-driven
cycle, the annual biennial registration fee
shall be five is ten dollars."
SECTION 19. Section 56-3-770 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-770. The annual biennial
registration and license fee for every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer,
pole trailer, or special mobile equipment vehicle equipped with
solid tires shall be is double the annual
biennial fee otherwise specified in this article."
SECTION 20. Section 56-3-780 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-780. (A) Permanent license plates
shall must be issued by the department for all motor
vehicles operated by the State or any its political
subdivision thereof subdivisions except as provided
for in Section 56-3-1710. The license fee, including registration,
shall be one dollar is two dollars. Permanent plates
shall must bear the words `South Carolina', the
number, and a prefix `SG', `CG', or `MG' to designate
respectively state government, county government, or
municipal government.
(B) All other vehicles operated by the State or its
subdivisions and the Civil Air Patrol shall must be
registered and licensed for an annual a biennial fee of
one dollar, two dollars and shall must
be issued plates in accordance with the provisions of Section
56-3-1710.
(C) Registration and licenses issued under this section
shall are not be transferable except to another
agency or department of government."
SECTION 21. Section 56-3-900 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-900. (A) Whenever any
When a vehicle which has been is registered
and licensed under this chapter and the required fee is paid
but it has not been operated in this State or elsewhere as a
vehicle registered and licensed under the laws of this State at any
time since the beginning of the registration and license period for
which such the registration and license fee was paid and
a claim is filed with the department for a refund within ninety days after
the date of such the registration and license and
such the claim is supported by evidence of nonoperation
satisfactory to the department and, further, is accompanied by
the return of the registration card and license plate or plates, or
satisfactory proof that the card or plates have been lost, the department
may make refund to the original payer of the full amount of the
annual biennial registration and license fee
proper.
(B) Whenever any When a vehicle
has been is registered and licensed under this chapter
and the required fee is paid and such the
vehicle is junked or totally destroyed at any time during the
registration and license period for which the fee was paid and a claim is
filed with the department for refund within ninety days after the date
such the vehicle was junked or destroyed and
such the claim is supported by evidence satisfactory to
the department and, further, is accompanied by the return of the
registration card and license plate or plates or sufficient proof
that the card or plates have been lost, the department may refund the
proportionate part of the license and registration fee paid, based on one
twelfth of the fee paid for every full calendar month remaining if the
vehicle received an annual registration, one twenty-fourth of the fee paid
for every full calendar month remaining if the vehicle received a
biennial registration, and one-sixth of the fee paid for every full calendar
month remaining if the vehicle received a six-month registration in
such the registration and license year or one-half
year; provided period. However, that no refund of
less than ten dollars shall may be made under this
provision section.
(C) Whenever When a vehicle is sold
which and is licensed and registered with a South
Carolina apportioned license plate and the required fee has been paid,
the registrant may apply for a refund of the South Carolina apportioned
fee based on the full months remaining in the license year
period within ninety days of the date of sale. Notification of the
sale must be provided to the department along with the license plate and
registration card. No refund may be made for less than ten
dollars."
SECTION 22. Section 56-3-1230 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-1230. (A) License plates must be at
least six inches wide and not less than twelve inches in length and must
show in bold characters the year of registration, serial number, and
either the full name or the abbreviation of the name of the
State, and other distinctive markings as the department
may consider advisable to indicate the class of the weight of the vehicle
for which the license plate was issued. The plate must be of a strength
and quality to provide a minimum service period of five years.
A new license plate including personalized and special plates must be
provided by the department at intervals the department considers
appropriate but at least every six years. License plates issued for
vehicles in excess of twenty-six thousand pounds must be issued
annually biennially, and no revalidation sticker may be
issued for the plates.
(B) The face of the license plate must be treated
completely with a retroreflective material which increases the nighttime
visibility and legibility of the plate. The department shall prepare the
specifications for the retroreflective material. In those years in which a
metal plate is not issued, a revalidation sticker with a distinctive serial
number or other suitable means prescribed by the department must be
issued and affixed in the space provided on the license plate assigned to
the vehicle upon payment of the fee prescribed for registration and
licensing, including fees for personalized or special license
plates."
SECTION 23. Section 56-3-1510 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-1510. The department may issue special motor
vehicle license plates to persons who hold unrevoked and unexpired
amateur radio licenses of a renewable nature issued by the Federal
Communications Commission, for private motor vehicles
registered in the same name. The annual biennial fee for
such the special license plates shall be one
dollar is two dollars in addition to the regular motor vehicle
registration fee prescribed by Article 5, of this chapter,
and. Only one set of such the special
plates shall may be issued to any a
person."
SECTION 24. Section 56-3-1520 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-1520. Applications for special license plates, as
authorized under this article, shall must be made on
forms provided by the department, and shall contain
proof satisfactory to the department that the applicant holds an
unrevoked and unexpired amateur radio license, and
shall state the call letters which have been assigned to the
applicant. Applications must be filed with the department by July first
for the ensuing licensing year period."
SECTION 25. Section 56-3-1530 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-1530. The special license plates shall
must be of the same size and general design of regular motor
vehicle license plates, upon which shall must be
imprinted the official amateur radio call letters of such
the persons as assigned by the Federal Communications
Commission. Such The special plates shall be
are for annual biennial periods from
November first to October thirty-first."
SECTION 26. Section 56-3-1610 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-1610. The department may issue special motor
vehicle license plates to emergency medical technicians for private
motor vehicles registered in the name of such the
technicians. The annual biennial fee for such
the special license plates shall be fifteen is
thirty dollars in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee
prescribed by Article 5 of this chapter and. Only one
such special plate shall may be issued to
any a person."
SECTION 27. Section 56-3-1630 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-1630. The special license plates shall
must be of the same size and general design of regular motor
vehicle license plates upon which shall must be
imprinted the letters `E M T' and such numbers as the
department may determine. Such The special plates
shall be are for annual biennial periods
from November first to October thirty-first."
SECTION 28. Section 56-3-1750 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-1750. The South Carolina Department of
Highways and Public Transportation (department) may issue a
special motor vehicle license plate to active members of the United
States Air Force Reserve, United States Army Reserve, United States
Coast Guard Reserve, United States Marine Corps Reserve, or United
States Navy Reserve who are residents of the State for a private motor
vehicle registered in their respective names. The annual
biennial fee for the special license plate is the regular motor
vehicle registration fee plus the personalized license plate fee provided
by Section 56-3-2020 and. Only one plate may be
issued to any a person."
SECTION 29. Section 56-3-1760 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-1760. The special license plate must be of the
same size and general design as regular motor vehicle license plates. The
department must shall imprint the special license plates
with the words `United States Military Reserve' or an abbreviation
selected by the department, together with numbers which
the department may determine. The license plate must be for an
annual a biennial period which shall expire twelve
expires twenty-four months from the month it is issued."
SECTION 30. Section 56-3-1820 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-1820. The special license plates must be of the
same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license
plates, upon which must be imprinted `National Guard' and the
figure of the `Minute Man', together with numbers as the
department may determine. Special license plates for retired members
of the National Guard must denote the member's retired status in the
location and manner determined by the department. The annual
biennial fee for the special license plates is fifteen
thirty dollars in addition to the regular motor vehicle
registration fee prescribed by Article 5 of this chapter. The plates must
be issued for annual biennial periods from
November first to October thirty-first."
SECTION 31. Section 56-3-2010 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-2010. (A) The Department of
Highways and Public Transportation shall provide, upon proper
application being made, special personalized motor vehicle license
plates to the owner of a private passenger motor vehicle, trucks having
a rated capacity of not more than five thousand pounds empty weight or
not more than eight thousand pounds gross vehicle weight, and
motorcycles. The personalized plates must be of the design and bear the
letters and numerals as the department prescribes.
However, but there may be no duplication of
any registration plates, except that South Carolina
members of the United States Congress or members of the
South Carolina General Assembly are allowed to may
purchase a maximum of the original and two duplicate registration
plates. The department, in its discretion, may refuse the issue of letter
combinations which may carry connotations offensive to good taste and
decency and may not assign to any a person not holding
the relevant office any letters or numerals denoting the holder to
have a public office.
(B) Private passenger motor vehicles and trucks meeting
the above specifications in subsection (A) must be
assigned an annual a biennial registration which expires
on a staggered monthly basis. In the case Where a current
vehicle license plate is currently is displayed, the owner
of the vehicle may make application for personalized license plates two
months in advance of the current registration expiration. A sticker
reflecting the month of expiration of registration must be issued and
affixed in the space provided on the license plate assigned to the vehicle.
A personalized license plate issued to a motorcycle expires November
thirtieth of each year two years after issuance. Every
personalized license plate issued to members of the General Assembly
and members of licensed state commissions and boards expires
on January thirty-first of each year in which a new
session of the General Assembly begins. Every vehicle registration
must be renewed annually biennially upon application
by the owner and by payment of the fee required by law to take effect
on the first day of the month following the expiration of the
registration to be renewed."
SECTION 32. Section 56-3-2020 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-2020. The fee for the issue of special
personalized motor vehicle license plates shall be fifteen is
thirty dollars each year, which shall be biennially
in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee as set
forth in Article 5, Chapter 3, of this title and
such. This revenue shall must be
deposited to the State Highway Fund as established by Section
57-11-20. The fee is due and payable at the time of the
upon application. The department may not refund the fee if the
personalized plate has already been manufactured."
SECTION 33. Section 56-3-2150 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-2150. The Department of Highways and Public
Transportation may issue special motor vehicle license plates to
members of municipal and county councils and to county coroners of
this State for private motor vehicles registered in their names. The
annual biennial fee for these special license plates is the
same as the fee provided for in Section 56-3-2020, and
only one plate may be issued to any one a councilman
or coroner. The plate must be issued or revalidated annually
biennially for the regular registration and licensing year
period."
SECTION 34. Section 56-3-2160 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-2160. The special plates must be of the same
size as regular motor vehicle license plates but must be of a distinctive
design and must bear those letters and numerals as the
department prescribes. The plates must be issued or revalidated
annually biennially for the regular registration and
licensing year period."
SECTION 35. Section 56-3-2810 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-2810. The South Carolina Department of
Highways and Public Transportation shall issue special motor vehicle
license plates to volunteer firemen who request them in the manner
provided in this article and who are residents of the State for private
motor vehicles registered in their respective names. For the purposes of
this article the term `volunteer firemen' means members of
organized units providing fire protection without compensation being
paid to the members of the units for the service provided and whose
membership is certified to the municipal clerk or chairman of the council
of the municipality or county in which their unit is based by the chief
officer of the unit concerned. The cost of the special license plate as
determined by the department must be paid annually
biennially by the requesting volunteer fireman, and
only one license plate may be issued to any one a
volunteer fireman. The plate must be issued upon application being
made therefor, in a manner and upon forms which must be
prescribed by the department, and upon approval of the
application by the department."
SECTION 36. Section 56-3-2820 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-2820. The special license plates, which
must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle
license plates, must be and imprinted with the words
`Volunteer Fireman' together with numbers as the
department may determine. The plates are for annual
biennial periods as provided by law."
SECTION 37. Section 56-3-3310 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-3310. The South Carolina Department of
Highways and Public Transportation may issue a special motor vehicle
license plate to a recipient of the Purple Heart. The annual
biennial fee for the special license plate is the same as the fee
provided for in Section 56-3-2020, and only one plate
may be issued to any a person. The application for a
special plate must include proof that the applicant is a recipient
of the Purple Heart."
SECTION 38. Section 56-3-3320 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-3320. The special license plates must be of the
same size as regular motor vehicle license plates, upon which must be
imprinted on the left side of the plates the distinctive Purple Heart
insignia with numbers and designs determined by the department. The
license plate must be issued for an annual a biennial
period which shall expire twelve expires twenty-four
months from the month in which the special license plate is
issued."
SECTION 39. Section 56-3-3710 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-3710. (A) The Department of Highways and
Public Transportation may issue special motor vehicle license plates to
owners of private passenger-carrying motor vehicles or light pickups
having an empty weight of five thousand pounds or less and a gross
weight of eight thousand pounds or less registered in their names which
may have imprinted on the plate any an emblem,
a seal, or other symbol the department considers appropriate of
a public college or university, or independent institution of
higher learning, defined in Section 59-113-50, located in this
State. A school may submit to the department for its approval the
emblem, seal, or other symbol it desires to be used for its respective
special license plate. A school also may request a change in the
emblem, seal, or other symbol not more than once every five years. The
fee for this special license plate is thirty-five seventy
dollars each year which is every two years in
addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee as set forth
in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title. This special license plate must be of
the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates.
The special license plates must be issued or revalidated for an
annual a biennial period which expires twelve
twenty-four months from the month they are issued.
(B) The fees collected pursuant to this section must be distributed to
a separate fund for each of the respective colleges, universities, or
independent institutions of higher learning. Each fund must be
administered by the school and must may be used only
for academic scholarships. Funds collected for state colleges and
universities must be deposited with the State Treasurer. Funds collected
for independent institutions must be deposited in an account designated
by the respective school. The distribution is based on the total number
of special license plates sold and on the number sold for the respective
school as follows:
(1) one thousand or less total special license plates sold:
twenty-six fifty-two dollars to the department and
nine eighteen dollars to the school for each special
license plate sold for the respective school;
(2) more than one thousand and less than two thousand total
special license plates sold: twenty-one forty-two dollars
to the department and fourteen twenty-eight dollars to
the school for each special license plate sold for the respective school;
(3) two thousand or more total special license plates sold:
fifteen thirty dollars to the department and
twenty forty dollars to the school for each special
license plate sold for the respective school.
(C) The department must shall receive one hundred
or more applications requesting a special license plate for a school
before a specialized license plate may be developed for that
school."
SECTION 40. Section 56-3-3910 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-3910. The department may issue a special
commemorative motor vehicle license plate commemorating the fiftieth
anniversary of the introduction of the State Dance, the Shag, in 1988.
The annual biennial fee for the commemorative license
plate is twenty-five fifty dollars in addition to the
regular motor vehicle registration fee prescribed by Article 5 of this
chapter. This license plate must be of the same size and general design
of regular motor vehicle license plates. The plate must be issued or
revalidated annually biennially for the year
two years beginning December first and ending November
thirtieth twenty-four months later. License number `one' for the
Shag license plate is reserved for the president of the Columbia Shag
Club in Richland County."
SECTION 41. Section 56-3-3950 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"Section 56-3-3950. The department may issue a special
commemorative `Keep South Carolina Beautiful' motor vehicle license
plate to establish a special fund to be used by the department for the
purposes of beautifying the state's roads and highways. The department,
in implementing this program, may not expend beautification funds for
wildflowers without prior approval of the South Carolina Department of
Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture shall ensure, before granting
approval, that the varieties of wildflowers used in beautification are not
harmful to agriculture at or near a proposed project. The annual
biennial fee for the commemorative license plate is
twenty-seven fifty-four dollars each year and of
this amount twelve twenty-four dollars of this fee must
be placed in a special `Keep South Carolina Beautiful' fund. This
annual biennial fee is in addition to the regular motor
vehicle registration fee as set forth in Article 5, Chapter 7 of this
title. The commemorative plate must be of the same size and general
design of regular motor vehicle license plates and must be imprinted
with the words `Keep South Carolina Beautiful'. The plates must be
issued or revalidated for an annual a biennial period
which expires twelve twenty-four months from the
month they are issued."
SECTION 42. Section 56-3-375 of the 1976 Code is repealed.
SECTION 43. This act takes effect July 1, 1992.
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