drivers must post a front license plate on their car—but there are a few exceptions for motorcycles, autocycles, and street rod vehicles. Not adhering to

Colorado’s license plate requirements

could earn you a fine.

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Does Colorado require front license plates?

Yes—you must have a front license plate on your car if you are driving a standard vehicle in Colorado. The law actually used to be a little bit unclear—and drivers were unsure what the legal requirements were for how to mount a front plate. In 2018, Colorado legislature passed a bill (

SB18-028

) stipulating that front plates need to be mounted horizontally, in the area where the vehicle manufacturer intended, and in a manner where they are clearly legible.

So what if your vehicle came without a front plate mount—like some luxury cars on the market today? That isn’t specifically covered in the bill, but Colorado law enforcement says it’s the owner’s responsibility to fix a license plate mount on her car—and that might mean drilling into the front bumper.

Exemptions

Colorado law states that motorcycles, autocycles, and street rod vehicles do not need to display front license plates. But if you live in Colorado and register your vehicle, you are required to mount all the license plates you receive for your vehicle. If you properly register and only receive one plate, it goes in the rear. If you receive two plates, one goes in the rear, and the other in the front.

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What is the penalty for driving without a front license plate in Colorado?

If you are caught driving without a front license plate in Colorado, you could face a significant fine—up to $100. Disobeying Colorado’s front license plate law is considered a class B traffic infraction.

If you are convicted of violating Colorado’s license plate law—especially more than once—you could also face higher insurance rates, which over time can cost much more than a single fine.

MORE:

Colorado license plate frame

Which US states do not require a front license plate?

Not all U.S. states require drivers to mount a front license plate—in fact, dozens don’t. Here are the states in which you won’t need to worry about posting a front plate:

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Indiana

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Michigan

Mississippi

New Mexico

North Carolina

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Tennessee

West Virginia

Why Colorado requires a front license plate

It might seem overbearing for a state to require front license plates, but they are actually super helpful for drivers, law enforcement, and automated processes. Front license plates help law enforcement identify your vehicle if you are being pulled over or involved in a crash. Front plates also make things like red light cameras and automated toll roads much more streamlined, as your car is more identifiable.

But in Colorado especially—a state that has a high rate of car theft—having a front plate is especially valuable as it can help law enforcement better identify your vehicle if it’s been stolen.

MORE:

Does my car insurance cover car theft?

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Which states have the highest rate of car theft?

According to data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Service, Colorado is one of the three top worst states for car theft, sitting alongside

California

and

New Mexico

For some context, the nationwide rate of car theft in 2020 was 246 per 100,000 people. The Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metropolitan area, however, saw a rate of 734 per 100,000 people. Pueblo, Colorado also saw a notable rate of car theft, coming in as the fifth-worst city in the U.S. with a rate of 640 per 100,000 people.

These high car theft rates don’t just mean it’s dangerous to own and drive a car in these areas—they also mean higher

car insurance

rates for drivers. Car insurance providers are all about statistics, and they charge much higher insurance rates for drivers in cities and areas where car theft is at a higher rate. That’s because you are statistically more likely to be a victim of motor vehicle theft—which costs your insurer more money.

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