WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Nearly 20 license plates stolen in Beaufort Co. since homemade temp tags outlawed

Nearly 20 license plates stolen in Beaufort Co. since homemade temp tags outlawed

(Hilton Head Island-AP) Jan. 6, 2003 - Police say a new state law that prohibits homemade temporary license plates could be blamed for the rash of stolen tags in southern Beaufort County.

Nearly 20 car tags have been reported missing since New Year's Eve. Sheriff's Lieutenant Toby McSwain says he attributes the missing tags to the new law.

McSwain says thieves stole both tags from both newer and older car models. In-state and out-of-state tags were stolen.

The new law went into effect January 1st. Under it South Carolina drivers must have an official temporary tag on new or newly purchased cars. The effort is part of a crackdown by the Division of Motor vehicles uninsured drivers and people who haven't paid property taxes.

All vehicles must be registered within 45 days of purchase, and they must display either a license plate, a dealer temporary plate, or a 45 day temporary tag available from the DMV or county auditor for $5 beginning December 16th.

The new law also allows drivers to transfer a license plate from another vehicle during those first 45 days as long as old registration, title or bill of sale, or lease agreement are kept in the car.

DMV Deputy Director David Burgess says, "This is the first time an officer by law can now stop someone because their car doesn't display a tag." Fines could be up to $100. The law also makes it illegal to for vehicles to have homemade "license applied for" tags or no tags at all.

updated 11:25am by Chris Rees