Do I Need a Front License Plate?

Not every state asks you to double up on identification.

Benjamin Hunting | 

Dec 18, 2024 | 3 min read

Aaron Miller | Capital One

Here's where you can live a single-plate life, why some states did away with the two-plate system, and what it might cost you if you try to flout the law.

States That Do and Do Not Require Front License Plates

The list of states that don't require a front license plate is shorter than the list of states that do. A total of 21 states free drivers from having to mount a plate on their front bumper: Alabama, Arizona, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Utah recently introduced legislation that would remove the front plate requirement as of Jan. 1, 2025.

That leaves 28 other states, plus the District of Columbia, that ask motorists to display a pair of plates. Keep in mind that this list is restricted to passenger cars and trucks, as some states may have different rules for motorcycles or recreational vehicles.

Why Some States Don't Require a Front License Plate

Each state is empowered to decide for itself the need for a front license plate, so the reasons not to make them mandatory are varied. In general, however, cost is likely a main issue, as it's simply less expensive for state bureaucracies to produce and manage a single-plate system than it is to double up.

In Utah's case, the decision was made in part for this reason, with savings of $3 million a year projected if front license plates are dropped.

What Happens if You Don't Mount a Front License Plate?

If you are missing your front plate in a state where you must have one on display — and your car is registered in that state — chances are you will be handed a ticket. The cost of the infraction varies from one jurisdiction to the next, with California charging around $196 and Texas fining about $200.

Part of Utah's reasoning for repealing its dual-plate requirement may have been related to the fact that some drivers never bothered with front plates. Because Utah does not allow law enforcement to pull over a vehicle exclusively for a missing plate, it's possible motorists saw fewer consequences for skirting the rule.

How to Mount a Front License Plate

There are different ways to mount a front license plate. Some vehicles come with mounting points from the factory or accessory-plate brackets designed to be attached to the front bumper. Others require that holes be drilled in the bumper itself.

Some drivers who don't want to cut into their vehicle choose to mount the plate using a tow-hook attachment point or the grille. Wherever the plate is mounted, it must meet the visibility and location rules for the state where the automobile is registered.

Benjamin Hunting

Nearly two decades into his career as an automotive journalist, Benjamin has had his hands greasy, his hair blown back, and his heart broken by more than one project car. In addition to his work at Capital One, he has contributed features and reviews to Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Hagerty, Driving Line, Inside Hook, Super Street, European Car, Roadkill Magazine, Motor 1, The Drive, the Toronto Star, the National Post, Business Insider, NAPA, Autoblog, Automotive News Canada, and AutoGuide. He is also cohost of the Unnamed Automotive Podcast and cocreator of the Code 45 and Dead Air graphic novels. In his spare time, he's a friend to vinyl and enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days.