Does your state require front license plates?

[ronnykmarshall]

I noticed when I was in North Carolina that the cars don't have front plates. I always wondered why some states require them and some don't.

Name your state, along with your response.

[Rude Horner]

1. Wisconsin - Yes

Front and back.

[ronnykmarshall]

3. California - Front and Back

I've also noticed some states completly replace their plates from time to time.

[KitchenWitch]

9. In Minnesota they do change plates every 6 years IIRC

I think it is just so they can charge you an additional plate charge.

[ronnykmarshall]

13. Do keep the same plate number?

If they did that California they'd have to hire a ton of people to make 'em.

[KitchenWitch]

16. Nope, totally new plate numbers as well.

:eyes:

[ronnykmarshall]

26. That's kinda coo-coo

[KitchenWitch]

28. Another reason for the new plates (other than fundraising)

is the toll that ice, snow, rain, and road de-icing chemicals can take on license plates.

[ronnykmarshall]

32. That's true

Here in California, I've seen some plates issued back in the 1960's.

[LNM]

34. I always assumed it was because 3M was based in the state.

They sell the reflective tape. I assumed this back before they had fundraising plates.

[KitchenWitch]

35. Could be

I was using the word "fundraising" as a euphemism for the state being able to collect more taxes this way without asking the legislature for more taxes.

[geardaddy]

58. You mean fees.

:eyes:

Thank Timmy the Tool for that jargon.

[AlCzervik]

2. one-ca. but you know that already. I put both because the dealer already

had two frames on the car.

[ronnykmarshall]

6. Make sure you put both on.

The police like give out tickets for not having a front plate.

[AlCzervik]

8. i did, the frames were already on so i figured i would otherwise there would just

be 4 small but visible holes--did not like.

[Reverend_Smitty]

4. New Jersey- Yes

but I have no idea why, it's not like a cop is going to speed ahead of you and read your plates in his rear view mirror :shrug:

[dysfunctional press]

46. a cop can see your plates sitting across from you at an intersection...

or if you're backed into a parking spot, etc...

[Squatch]

5. Virginia Yes.

[NewWaveChick1981]

7. No. I live in NC.

:hi:

[Bunny]

10. Pennsylvania - No!

[GoneOffShore]

33. I love that we no longer have to do that.

Back in the 60's PA had that front plate thing going on.

[JVS]

40. when I left PA I had to retire my Free Moustache Rides plate

:cry:

[Critters2]

11. Illinois, yes

Iowa, too.

[TOhioLiberal]

12. Ohio--Yes. n/t

[Alexander]

14. Do they require them if you're out of state?

So if I'm driving through New Jersey, do I need to make sure I have a plate on my front end?

[ronnykmarshall]

15. I'm sure they don't.

Just if it's a requirement in your home state.

[bicentennial_baby]

17. MA- Yes

:)

[MissMillie]

48. sorry, but nope

I've had my one plate since 1986... I renew my registration every 2 years and not once has anyone told me that I need to get a second plate.

[Atman]

50. Same as CT...if you change registration status you have to get new plates

You obviously are a very stable person!

:hi:

.

[NoPasaran]

18. Texas: Yes

[Kali]

19. Arizona - nope

that's where you put the ha ha funny ones from the state fair/mall/mail order

[bridgit]

20. cali does...

[tjwmason]

21. The U.K. - Yes.

Front and back is universal here, and across Europe.

[CatholicEdHead]

22. Minnesota, Yes

Probably party because of the snow if the back one gets covered up.

[1gobluedem]

23. Not required here in Michigan

So you see a lot of custom plates on the front.

[Courtesy Flush]

24. Not in Louisiana

[guitar man]

25. Oklahoma-No

I'm glad they don't, the car I drive (Lincoln Mark viii) looks so much better without the big ugly plate holder you have to install to mount a front plate.

without



with

[mwdem]

27. Texas, yes.

...and they're really ugly!

[Maddy McCall]

29. Mississippi - NO.

I used to have my state-issued plate on the back, which is a vanity plate with a version of my name. On the front, I had a plate I got made at a street vendor's--identical to the Mississippi plate--and it said KERY4PREZ.

I'll probably get another front plate made with whomever the Dem nominee is for 2008.

:hi:

[greatauntoftriplets]

30. Front and back in Illinois.

I think Indiana requires only one on the rear.

[PVnRT]

31. Indiana - no

n/t

[Jokerman]

36. Just wait...

It's only a matter of time before they decide that the "In God We Trust" plate belongs on both ends of every vehicle in this god obsessed state.

[Nicole]

37. Oklahoma - No

[Redstone]

38. Yes, but people in Connecticut are real outlaws; about 25% of the cars you see

don't have the front plate mounted.

Redstone

[Atman]

49. No, here in CT your old plate is grandfathered

As long as you don't change registration status, your old plate is still good.

Cops are the heaviest lobbyists for front plates. Today's cars are all rounded plastic, and difficult to get a radar read on: they like front plates because it gives them a flat reflective surface to point their speed guns at.

Interestingly, several years back when Massachusetts began mandating the switch to front plates (among the early adopters of the practice), people kinda wondered why...and they find out. The brother of the representative (don't recall his name) who sponsored the was a salesman for 3M who had warehouses full of surplus reflective material used in the manufacturer of the plates. He made a big commission that year!

.

[Redstone]

57. Well, now...you confirm my suspicions that front plates are only there to be radar targets.

But when we got the "pastel" plates a few years ago, it was my understanding that even if you registered during the "one-plate year" (1981, as I did) you lost your right to not have to have a front plate.

I'll have to do some research on this, but thanks for the heads-up.

Redstone

[progressoid]

39. Iowa - Yes

[donheld]

41. Colorado - Yes n/t

[NMDemDist2]

42. New Mexico- No n/t

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

43. Michigan, no

go blue!

[mockmonkey]

44. Wisconsin

When the of subject of two plates or one came up a few years ago, a compromise was made to cut costs by keeping two plates but to update the year with a sticker on the rear plate only. Many people in the state seem to think only one plate is required since they only receive one sticker at renewal time.

[windlight]

45. Wyoming - Yes

I am in PA now, but Wyoming needs them... I had to take off my Penn State front plate when i moved there but now I'm back in PA i don't have one at all... and Wyoming also changes theirs every few years or so, but it doesn't cost any more then the normal % of value of the car that you pay every year.

[Qanisqineq]

47. ND -- yes n/t

[bigwillq]

51. I think so

I live in CT.

[SteppingRazor]

52. Florida - no n/t

[legally blonde]

53. Missouri - yes n/t

[Orsino]

54. Georgia: no n/t

[Ms_Dem_Meanor]

55. Delaware: no. n/t

[deepthought42]

56. In Maryland, yup. n/t

[SoxFan]

59. New Hampsha

RNH requires front plates, but you can still find Sox and Pats plates for sale. Go figure.

When I served in the NH House, I really didn't mind having the state plates on the front, since it meant that I could use the toll booths for free. When they pay legislators about $76.23 per year after taxes, you learn to appreciate the small things in life!

[bamacrat]

60. Alabama- in the back.

Liscense plates, not everything else.

[conscious evolution]

61. Ga, does not require them

When I travel through the NE I blow through toll booths because I have noticed they are set up to photograph the front plate AND driver of scoflaws.Never been sent a ticket for doing so.

Of course I have not done this in the last however many years the statute of limitations is.

edit to add:A cop in California tried to give me a ticket for not having the front plate.He also tried to get me for not having my registration in the car.Like front plates, Georgia does not require keeping your reg in the car.
It took some talking but I managed too talk my way out of the tickets.

Acting like a dumbass hick redneck from the backwoods on his first visit to the big city also saved me from several tickets there also.

[Mutley]

62. Yes, though

I have plates from another state which does Not require front license plates. I get pulled over a lot. x(


(Oh yeah, Maryland)