Here’s when USC women’s basketball 2022 national championship license plates might be sold
South Carolina could soon sell Gamecocks women’s basketball 2022 national champions license plates.
According to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, there are currently two bills in the state Legislature, one in the Senate and one in the House, to create a specialty plate for the championship win.
The House version of the bill has language that introduces a new plate for issuance, while the Senate version would be a redesign of the current plate.
The DMV currently sells a specialty plate for the 2017 national championship win by the Gamecocks women’s basketball team. It looks similar to a standard South Carolina license plate, but includes an official national champions logo.
Both bills state that to buy a new championship license plate, customers would be charged the regular biennial registration fee, plus an additional $70 fee — the same cost as the 2017 championship plate.
But when can you buy the new one?
Well, it depends.
“It’s very difficult to estimate an exact date as to when the plates would be available,” Kyle McGahee, spokesman for the DMV, wrote in an email statement. “It really depends on which bill is passed, when the governor signs it and when the agency receives payment from the university for the plate design.”
McGahee wrote that best case scenario, without any issues with the design or IT resources, the agency estimates that if the Senate bill is passed, the plate would be available 45 days after the governor signs it and payment is made for the redesign.
However, if the House bill is passed, it would take three months after the signing and payment for a new plate class to be available.
Meanwhile, if you’re not interested in sports but are curious about other specialty license plates, South Carolina has more than 100 different options. Below are a few of the more interesting choices available.
Endangered Species
Show your support for threatened animals with the SC Protects Endangered Species plate. The fee for the plate is 30 every two years in addition to the registration fee. All fees collected are deposited into a Nongame Wildlife and Natural Areas Fund.
Shag
South Carolina designated the shag as the official state dance in 1984. You can get a license plate promoting that fact. The plate costs $50 plus the registration fee.
Amateur Radio
Ham radio enthusiasts unite! You can broadcast your radio hobby with this license plate. To get one, you must certify on the application that you have an unprovoked and unexpired amateur radio license of a renewable nature that’s been issued by the Federal Communications Commission. The fee for the plate is $2 plus the registration fee.
First in Golf
If you’re an avid golfer, then why not show love for the sport while promoting the state as the top golf destination in the U.S. at the same time? The cost for the plate is $70 every two years in addition to the registration fee. Proceeds from this plate are distributed to the SC Junior Golf Association to fund its many programs such as scholarships and free golf instruction for minority and underprivileged children.
No More Homeless Pets
Show your support of animals with this license plate. A portion of the fees collected goes into a special account with the SC Department of Agriculture to support annual spaying and neutering programs. The fee for this plate is $70 every two years in addition to the regular vehicle registration fee.
HL Hunley
Even submarine fans can get their own license plate in South Carolina. This particular plate recognizes the HL Hunley, which sank in 1864 off the coast of Sullivan’s Island and was recovered in 1995. The plate costs $100 every two years and of that, $60 is donated to help conserve the submarine.
This story was originally published April 13, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
