is one of the “Rugged 19” states that doesn’t require a front license plate. The Alabama Department of Revenue (DOR) enacted a law in 1963 that drivers are only required to have rear

Alabama license plates

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Does Alabama require front license plates?

No—Alabama law does not require front license plates. Most standard passenger vehicles are only required to have rear plates.

Since 1963,

Section 32-6-51

of the state code has laid out passenger vehicle license plate requirements.

Under this section, the State of Alabama requires that every driver operating a motor vehicle on a city street or public highway should have an attached and plainly visible plate or license tag on the rear of their vehicle. The plate must be prescribed and furnished by the Department of Revenue when the owner or vehicle operator purchases their registration.

The Alabama Department of Revenue doesn’t specify the rules for

personalized and special plates

. Still, it’s assumed they fall under the same rules—they must be attached and visible on the vehicle's rear.

License plate covers are illegal in Alabama, even if they are clear plastic covers. Any cover or shield, regardless of looks, could be classified as an obstruction that could lead to a $200 fine if a driver is caught.

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Exemptions

In most cases, you can assume that a rear plate is not required in Alabama, especially if you’re driving a passenger vehicle.

But there may be a few exceptions to the single-plate law here. Although the Alabama DOR doesn’t explicitly state the rules, some commercial vehicles may require two plates. For example, because semi-trucks are two separate vehicles—the tractor unit and the trailer—they both must have license plates.

What is the penalty for driving without a rear license plate in Alabama?

Driving without a visible rear license plate in Alabama is considered a misdemeanor, meaning that you can—and most likely will—be pulled over by law enforcement and issued a warning or ticket for failure to display a rear license plate.

Failure to abide by the Alabama license plate laws will result in a fine of up to $500 and

suspension of driving privileges

for 60 days to six months.

As rear license plates are required in all states, getting around the law for not having a rear plate might prove challenging. So if you’re reading this article, ensure you have an attached and clearly visible Alabama license plate.

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Which US states do not require a front license plate?

Alabama isn’t the only state to only require a single license plate. It’s part of the “Rugged 19.” Here are the 18 other states where you don’t need a front plate:

Arizona

Arkansas

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Indiana

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Michigan

Mississippi

New Mexico

North Carolina

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Tennessee

West Virginia

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Why Alabama does not require a front license plate

For car enthusiasts, a front license plate isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing feature. It can detract from the beauty of the car. Something as simple as removing front plate requirements can bring significant savings to the state, too.

On top of that, some argue that front plates can interfere with certain

driver safety features

, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alerts, and parking guides. Since the cameras and sensors are in the vehicle's front end, a front license plate can interfere with effective operation.

In any case, Alabama doesn’t play by the same rules as two-plate states. For over 50 years, they’ve had a law stating that drivers are only required to have a rear license plate on all passenger vehicles. But the justification for the law hasn’t been explicitly stated.

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