In the United States, it is illegal to not have a front license plate in 31 states, where displaying both front and rear license plates is a mandatory requirement.
States Where a Front License Plate is Required
Most states in the U.S. enforce a two-plate system, meaning vehicles must display one license plate on the front and another on the rear. Failure to comply with this regulation in these states can result in fines or other penalties, making it illegal to operate a vehicle without both plates. You can verify specific state regulations through official DMV websites or reputable automotive resources.
The states where a front license plate is legally required are:
| State | Front Plate Requirement |
|---|---|
| Alaska | Required |
| California | Required |
| Colorado | Required |
| Connecticut | Required |
| Hawaii | Required |
| Idaho | Required |
| Illinois | Required |
| Iowa | Required |
| Maine | Required |
| Maryland | Required |
| Massachusetts | Required |
| Minnesota | Required |
| Missouri | Required |
| Montana | Required |
| Nebraska | Required |
| Nevada | Required |
| New Hampshire | Required |
| New Jersey | Required |
| New York | Required |
| North Dakota | Required |
| Ohio | Required |
| Oregon | Required |
| Rhode Island | Required |
| South Dakota | Required |
| Texas | Required |
| Utah | Required |
| Vermont | Required |
| Virginia | Required |
| Washington | Required |
| Wisconsin | Required |
| Wyoming | Required |
States Where a Front License Plate is Not Required
Conversely, 19 states do not require a front license plate. In these states, vehicles only need to display a single license plate on the rear. This exemption allows for greater flexibility for vehicle owners, especially for certain car models where a front plate might interfere with aesthetics or aerodynamics. These states include:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
