Does you state require a front license plate?

In Northwest NJ we get alot of commuters from PA where they don't require a front tag, if a cop is driving towards you he assumes you're from PA, and if he's driving behind you he assumes there is a tag on the front.

 

You need two in CA. I've been chosen to receive tickets for this two times on two different cars. I would say that CA cops have this on the "to do" list. It's a good excuse to pull people over to shake them down and give them the full body search.

 

1 in Pa

 

When this thread was first posted yesterday I called my local OSP post. By the time I got off the phone, Mudslinger posted correctly so I didn’t bother to add to it. However now I will because I’m planning on running model year tags because I was under the impression that I could get away with just the rear tag, not so. I spoke to an officer who told me very simply that two tags are required. If you have a car that is running model year tags and the state issued only one tag during that year, then you can run only that one tag. Otherwise, he ‘expects to see two tags on every vehicle’.

He said that way back in like 1924 or 25 is when Ohio started issuing two plates, so from that point forward, two tags are required. If you have, say a 1931 Ford that you want to run model year tags on and only have one tag, you can do one of several things, find the second tag, find a new set of model year tags, run Historical tags or just settle for normal tags. He was pretty clear on all this, almost like he just took a refresher course on it last week.

I’m a bit more cautious about this than most I think because I have been busted for not running the front tag before. That won’t happen again, now that I know the law. Luckily, I have both of the Ohio tags from 1934 and they’ll prolly end up on the coupe.

Vance

 

Required in Nevada, but not enforced.

 

I almost want to disagree with this. I've had countless pre-72 cars, and have about 15 sets of "Historical" Ohio plates hanging around. I've always been under the impression, as was said, that having a YOM plate attached to the Historicals is legal, and only one is needed.

I swear I even read that on the registration papers.

I'm gonna have to dig the papers up. I could be wrong, but have NEVER run 2 YOM plates. I know they want both historicals, but even then I rarely ever run both.

Of course, you're not supposed to drive daily with either type of plate.

 

Maryland requires both. but easy to get away with one on cars with Historic or Street Rods plates. just say theres no place to put one

 

I know, I live here, too, BUT, I've been busted for both, the lack of a front tag numerous times...
But the BEST one was when I decided to run French plates on the Cit, and was pulled over by a Hangover Park cop...I had him so confused he finally had me put my Illinois plate in the window and let me go...


Cosmo

 

colorado says yes, I say hell no. never been busted yet.

 

Wyoming requires both plates, but trying to get a new law that might pass next session that will be more freindly to us .( ONE PLATE. BLUE DOTS ETC)

 

Well I'm going to go out and get pictures of all of the California police cars that don't have front plates. Yes I've seen them. Maybe HAMB'ers should start a database of offending police cars.

 

This is very untrue information you guys are spreading. The law was changed several years ago. As Pasadenahotrod suggested, we did that and got it changed. The system worked in this instance.

If you are registered as "Antique" (with or without YOM plates) or "Classic" (YOM only), you only have to run the rear plate.
If you are registered as "Classic" and the State issued you the two plates you must run the two. If you are registered "Classic" with YOM plates you only have to run the rear as I understand it.

Straight from the statues (Scroll down to Chapter 4)

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/txmclaws.htm#Chapter%204

TRC §502.275.
Subsection L
"(l) Notwithstanding any other section of this code, a vehicle issued plates under Subsection (a) shall be required to display only one license plate, which is to be attached to the rear of the vehicle."


What sucks is you still have to have both plates to get approved to run YOM. But you only have to run one.

 

I think that if you read that statute it does not mention "Classic" plates. Classic registrations are issued 2 plates and in Texas if you are issued 2 plates you are supposed to run 2 plates. Antique registration gets 1 plate only and does not require a front plate. Another change coming up is that in 2008 all antique plates must be renewed and at that time we will be required to display a windshield registration sticker, which at this time we do not have to do. This info was from county tax assessors office.

 

I've noticed a lot of hot rods WITHOUT a front plate here in Illinois! I guess the local constabularies just don't notice the plates missing. A lot of guys stick them under their front seat and swear that they fell off and they haven't had an opportunity to remount them! ...I've actually heard that one as an excuse when questioned by a cop!

 

The cop was wrong. Here is the subsection of the Ohio Revised Code requiring only one YOM tag in the state of Ohio:

**************************************************

D) A vehicle registered under this section may display historical vehicle license plates issued by the registrar of motor vehicles or model year license plates procured by the applicant. Historical vehicle license plates shall not bear a date, but shall bear the inscription "Historical Vehicle - Ohio" and the registration number, which shall be shown thereon. Model year license plates shall be legible and serviceable license plates issued by this state and inscribed with the date of the year corresponding to the model year when the vehicle was manufactured. Notwithstanding section 4503.21 of the Revised Code, only one model year license plate is required to be displayed on the rear of the historical motor vehicle at all times. The registration certificate and the historical vehicle license plates issued by the registrar shall be kept in the vehicle at all times the vehicle is operated on the public roads and highways in this state.

***************************************************

Hope this helps...

Jan

 

Grumpy and Junkyard Jan. I said I was under the ipression that the model year tag was different and I swear I read it somewhere. I'll just make sure that I have this section neatly printed out as proof because I'm sure some young trooper like the one I spoke to is gonna want to write me up for it.

Thanks for pointing that out, the section that is. I'm gonna call them tomorrow from my neighbor's phone and give them shit about it.

Vance

 

You're right, it is just for "Antique" plates that the state issues. Thanks for pointing that out I was wrong on that one.

EDIT: I edited my above post to be more specific.

 

Also an antique plate can only be legally used on a vehicle that is used for parades and special events and not for personal use. That leaves all of us out.

 

I register all mine as "Classics" however, I know for a fact that I am a minority. Most TX guys I know, as well as on this board run "Antique" registration and drive cross country. So............


SORRY TO TURN THIS THREAD INTO A TEXAS PLATE THREAD. JUST WANTING TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS THE CURRENT LAW.

 

Only one issued here in New Mexico...

 

Colo. yes (exeptions are street rod tags, horseless carrage tags and year of manufacture tags - only get issued one)

They will get you for a no front tag violation if you are parked downtown by the meter maids

 

It's required in CA, but no one enforces it unless you do something blatantly stupid. Kinda like the law about not having anything hanging from your rearview.

 

I've seen a couple of different responsenses here about Nevada laws. This is pulled right from the DMVNV website:

Most vehicles require two plates at all times, except motorcycles and trailers, which require only a rear plate. You must display both plates if the vehicle is designed for a front plate or if the manufacturer offers an add-on bracket or frame.
Front plates are optional only if 1) the vehicle was not designed for a front plate and 2) the manufacturer did not provide an add-on bracket or other means of displaying the front plate.
(NRS 482.275 - 2005 Nevada Legislature Senate Bill 251)
DMV will issue two plates for all vehicles (except motorcycles and trailers). If the second plate is not displayed, it is the owner's responsibility to store the second plate and surrender or return both plates to the department at the appropriate time.
License plates must at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle so as to prevent the plate from swinging and at a height not less than 12 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of such plate, in a place and position to be clearly visible. It must be maintained free from foreign materials and in a condition to be clearly legible. (NRS 482.275)

Since I run a smoothed bumper, I get away with just one on the back. However, I never saw the part requiring the plate to be 12" off the ground. Since my truck only sits at about 4" off the ground I might have to be on the defensive about that! ​

 

I used to run a rear plate only on my '69 vette and keep the other under the seat. I was stopped once by a local PD officer. He did not write a ticket, but would not let me leave until it was mounted. Fortunately, I found a piece of rusty wire on the side of the road and mounted the plate with it. A few weeks later, the same guy stopped me to make sure the front plate was there.

 

As far as I know, Pa. doesn't require a front plate, regardless of whether stock, antique, rod, etc.

 

I disagree. I got one from a meter maid when the car was parked (!) and one in San Rafael from a CHP who didn't have anything better to do.