Driving without a front license plate is illegal in 28 states as of 2025. Washington, D.C. also requires a front plate, which raises the total to 29 jurisdictions. The count dropped to 28 after Utah removed its front-plate requirement on January 1, 2025, under Utah Senate Bill 45. Police use the front plate to identify a vehicle from the front and to locate stolen vehicles, often through plate-reading systems built into speed guns and scanners. Driving without a front plate is a minor violation in most states, with fines ranging from about $100 to $200. California charges about $196, and Texas charges about $200, according to Capital One's 2024 review. Many states issue a fix-it ticket, which a driver clears by mounting a plate and showing proof to the court. The violation usually does not raise car insurance rates, because insurers base premiums on moving violations and at-fault accidents, according to Progressive. Drivers mount a front plate in under 10 minutes using a manufacturer's plate holder, an adhesive bracket, a tow-hook mount, or screws drilled into the front bumper.
Table of contents
- What is a Front License Plate Requirement?
- Which States Require Front License Plates?
- Which States Don't Require Front License Plates?
- What Are The Penalties for Driving Without a Front License Plate?
- What is a Valid License Plate?
- How to Mount a Front License Plate
- Use the Manufacturer's Plate Holder
- Mount With Adhesive (No Drilling)
- Attach to the Front Tow Hook
- Drill Into the Front Bumper
Driving without a front license plate is illegal in 28 states as of 2025. Washington, D.C. also requires a front plate, which raises the total to 29 jurisdictions. The count dropped to 28 after Utah removed its front-plate requirement on January 1, 2025, under Utah Senate Bill 45.
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.
What is a Front License Plate Requirement?
28 states require drivers to display a license plate on the front of the vehicle, according to a 2025 LegalClarity review of state vehicle laws. Police use the front plate to identify a vehicle from the front. The front plate also helps officers locate a stolen vehicle.
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.
Which States Require Front License Plates?
These 28 states require a front license plate as of 2025. The list removes Utah, which dropped its requirement on January 1, 2025. The list adds Maine, which 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 2025. The list removes Maine, which requires two plates. The list adds Utah, which dropped its front-plate requirement on January 1, 2025, according to Utah Senate Bill 45.
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
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.
Driving without a front license plate is a minor violation in most states. Fines range from about $100 to $200, depending on the state. 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.
You resolve the citation by mounting a license plate on the front of the vehicle. A minor equipment violation like this one usually does not raise your car insurance rates, because insurers base premiums on moving violations and at-fault accidents, according to Progressive. Your rate can rise if you ignore the ticket or leave the violation unresolved.
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.
Most license plate serials contain five to seven 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
