Which States Require a Front License Plate? 28 States + D.C.

Which States Require Front License Plates?

These 28 states require a front license plate and a rear license plate on most passenger vehicles as of 2026. Washington, D.C. requires both plates as well. Maine requires a front plate under Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A, Section 452.

• California

• Colorado

• Connecticut

• Hawaii

• Idaho

• Illinois

• Iowa

• Maine

• Maryland

• Massachusetts

• Minnesota

• Missouri

• Montana

• Nebraska

• Nevada

• New Hampshire

• New Jersey

• New York

• North Dakota

• Oregon

• Rhode Island

• South Dakota

• Texas

• Vermont

• Virginia

• Washington

• Wisconsin

• Wyoming

Which States Don't Require Front License Plates?

These 22 states require only a rear license plate as of 2026. Utah is the newest rear-plate-only state. Alaska dropped the front plate requirement in 2022 under House Bill 163. Ohio dropped the front plate requirement on July 1, 2020, under House Bill 62.

• Alabama

• Alaska

• Arizona

• Arkansas

• Delaware

• Florida

• Georgia

• Indiana

• Kansas

• Kentucky

• Louisiana

• Michigan

• Mississippi

• New Mexico

• North Carolina

• Ohio

• Oklahoma

• Pennsylvania

• South Carolina

• Tennessee

• Utah

• West Virginia

Why Do States Require Front License Plates?

A front license plate requirement is a state law that makes drivers display 1 license plate on the front of the vehicle and 1 license plate on the rear. Every state requires a rear license plate.

States keep the front plate for vehicle identification. Police use the front plate to identify a vehicle from the front. The front plate helps officers locate a stolen vehicle. Police equipment such as speed guns and plate readers has a built-in license plate reading system, so an officer only needs to scan the plate. An officer parked on the roadside facing oncoming traffic can scan only the front plate.

Drivers who oppose front plate laws object to the look of a license plate on the front bumper. States that drop the front plate requirement cite cost savings. Alaska's Division of Motor Vehicles estimated that issuing 1 license plate per vehicle saves the state of Alaska $332,000 per year.

What Is a Valid License Plate?

A license plate is a vehicle's primary identification and proof of registration.

Most license plate serials contain 5 to 7 characters. Some states allow extra characters for personalized plates and vanity plates. Most states combine letters and numbers on standard plates. Delaware is an exception, because its standard passenger plates use numbers only, according to the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles.

Are Any Vehicles Exempt From Front License Plate Laws?

Some vehicles are exempt from front license plate laws in the 28 two-plate states. The exemption depends on the state and on how the manufacturer built the vehicle.

Nevada exempts a vehicle that was not manufactured with a bracket, device, or other means to display and secure a front license plate, under Nevada Revised Statutes 482.275. The Nevada exemption applies only if the manufacturer provided no other method to mount a front license plate. The owner of an exempt vehicle must attach 1 license plate to the rear of the vehicle. The owner may choose to attach the other license plate to the front.

Rhode Island exempts a vehicle that was manufactured and delivered for sale without a front plate bracket, mounting point, or other manufacturer-provided mounting location, under Rhode Island Senate Bill 3265. Senate Bill 3265 amended Rhode Island General Laws Section 31-3-18 and took effect on June 26, 2026. The driver of an exempt vehicle must carry the second license plate inside the vehicle and show the plate to a law enforcement officer on request. Rhode Island still requires both plates on any vehicle built with a front mounting location.

Motorcycles and trailers display 1 rear license plate in every state.

What Are The Penalties for Driving Without a Front License Plate?

Driving without a front license plate is a minor equipment violation in most states. Fines range from about $100 to $200. An officer writes the ticket during a traffic stop, or the state mails the citation.

California charges about $196, and Texas charges about $200, according to Capital One's 2024 review. Many states issue a fix-it ticket, which you clear by mounting a plate and showing proof to the court.

How to Mount a Front License Plate

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.

Use the Manufacturer's Plate Holder

Some automakers include a front license plate holder with the car. Check the glove compartment for the holder. 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.

Mount With Adhesive (No Drilling)

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.

Attach to the Front Tow Hook

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 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.

Use a tape measure, a 1/8-inch (0.32 cm) drill bit, and a countersink bit to remove burrs from the drilled holes. 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, seal the bare metal around each hole with clear nail polish.