All states have traffic laws that require motor vehicles on public highways, streets, roads, and driveways to have a rear license plate or tag—and most states also require a license plate on the front of a motor vehicle.

States usually require the license plates or vehicle registration to be renewed periodically—often annually and in connection with payment of a motor vehicle tax or inspection of the vehicle for safety and compliance with emissions standards.

In some states tickets or citations for no front or rear license plate or for expired plates/tags on your vehicle are known as fix-it tickets and the ticket or citation will indicate that it is a correctable violation of traffic laws. If you fix the missing-or-expired license plate problem within the required period and get the signature of an authorized person (a local police officer) the court may dismiss the ticket.

But if you fail to fix the missing-or-expired-tags problem within the required period you must pay the fine for the violation and you may be issued another ticket that will be part of your driving record. And if you fail to pay the ticket or appear in court on the hearing date the court may issue a warrant for your arrest.

In South Carolina, motor vehicles are required to have a rear license plate, and while a front license plate is not mandated, the rear plate must be illuminated and clearly visible. Vehicle registration and license plates must be renewed periodically, with the frequency depending on the type of registration. Renewal often involves payment of a vehicle tax and may require a safety inspection or emissions testing. If a driver in South Carolina is cited for not having a rear license plate or for having expired tags, it may be considered a 'fix-it' ticket. This means that if the driver corrects the issue within a specified time frame and obtains verification from an authorized person, such as a police officer, the court may dismiss the citation. However, failure to correct the issue or to pay the fine can result in additional penalties, including the possibility of another ticket that affects the driver's record. Ignoring the ticket or not appearing in court can lead to more severe consequences, such as the issuance of a warrant for the driver's arrest.