Driving without front license plates is illegal in thirty out of the fifty states of the United States.
While many drivers and car enthusiasts say that the front license plate clashes with the front of their car, it just doesn’t look good to some. Inversely, there is some good that front license plates do, especially for public safety. They can help track stolen vehicles, for example.
We cover the importance of front license plates, why you should only drive with front license plates if your state requires them, and the penalties for not driving with a front license plate.
Which Are the U.S. States That Require Front License Plates?
Thirty states in the United States require car drivers to have a license plate displayed on the front of their vehicle. The main reason is so the police can keep more tabs on a car and relocate a vehicle if it is stolen.
Police equipment such as speed guns and readers have a license plate reading system built-in. Often, they can be used to spot a stolen vehicle. All the officer needs to do is scan the license plates. If they are positioned in front of the oncoming car on the side of the road, then they would need the front license plate in their view.
States That Require Front License Plates
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
States That Don’t Require Front License Plates
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
What Are The Penalties for Driving Without a Front License Plate?
License plate laws come with penalties for drivers who don’t follow them. You can either be given a ticket by an officer who pulls you over or sent a citation through the mail.
The good news is that driving with no front license plate is hardly even a misdemeanor. You may only be fined anywhere from $100 to $200 and then be required to have your front license plate approved by the police.
Simply affixing a license plate to the front of your vehicle will resolve the citation. Moreover, your car insurance rates will not increase after this minor violation.
What is a Valid License Plate?
Your license plate serves as your car’s primary identification and proof of registration for your vehicle. Every state requires license plates to be displayed on the car’s rear, but some states require license plates on the front.
The most common length for a plate number is five to seven characters, with extra ones available for personalized or vanity plates in some jurisdictions. All states utilize a combination of letters and digits for their license plates.
How Can You Mount a License Plate to The Front of Your Vehicle?
Front license plate mounting is an easy DIY task that doesn’t take more than 10 minutes.
Your state’s vehicle laws will usually say your plate must be fully visible and fastened securely, and the front license plate is left in its unaltered state. Unlike the back of your car, there may not be slots for screws drilled in.
So, here are some different methods to mount a license plate to the front of your vehicle:
Your Car May Have Come With Its Own Front License Plate Holder
Some automakers may be aware of any front license plate laws, so they include license plate holders with their cars. Usually, it can be found in the glove compartment. The holder or bracket can fit your license plate inside with a couple of screws. This license plate bracket will then be mountable to the front of your vehicle. Some drilling may be required.
Use an Adhesive Instead of Drilling Your Front License Plate In Place
There are specialized brackets mounted with adhesives that can be used to avoid drilling into your front bumper. You usually have to mount it before screwing the front license plate onto the bracket. It’s like placing a sticker and is one of the more straightforward methods.
Mount The Front License Plate on The Front Tow Hole
You can place a specialized mount in the slot on the front of your car, where a tow hook would usually go. It holds it in place well enough so it doesn’t move or spin. You can adjust the tightness of the front license plate with the nuts and screws that came with the mount.
Drill The Front License Plate Into The Front Bumper
Of course, you also have the option to drill the front license plate into the front of your car and screw in the license plate for the most secure results.
You should always use a tape measure, a 0.32 cm drill, and a countersink drill bit for removing any burrs from the initial drilling. The holes don’t have to be that deep; the drill bit length should be more than enough. After carefully making the holes, line them up with the bracket on your front license plate. It should be secure with a couple of screws. To prevent rust, use nail polish as a remedy.
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