Does Florida Require Front License Plates?

Florida is one of the 19 states that do not require front license plates, although front vanity plates are permitted.
Written by Bonnie Stinson
Edited by R.E. Fulton
Florida
has solely issued one license plate per vehicle since 1922. However, from 1918 to 1922, cars had front and rear plates.
  • Florida license plate laws only require one plate on the rear of the vehicle. 

Does Florida require front license plates?

No— if your car is registered in the state of Florida, you’ll only be issued one license plate to go on the rear of your vehicle. There are two key guidelines in the
Florida Statutes
:
  • The rear license plate must be as visible as possible.
  • A white light is required to illuminate the plate well from 50 feet away.
Florida is in the minority, as most US states require license plates on the back and front of your car. Only 18 other states require just one plate, but you can still drive your
Florida-registered vehicle
in two-plate states despite only having one.
You may post a front-end vanity plate on your car in Florida (if that’s your thing). But just one is required on the back of your American car.

Which US states do not require a front license plate?

In addition to Florida, there are 18 other states (primarily located in the southeast region of the US) that do not require
front license plates
. Here they are in alphabetical order:
  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Indiana
  • Kansas 
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • Oklahoma 
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • West Virginia

Why Florida doesn’t require a front license plate

Requiring front vehicle license plates would double the cost of the state’s license plate production. The Sunshine State saves a ton of money by writing state laws that only require a single license plate. Plus, some argue a front license plate could inhibit the functionality of 360-degree camera systems that support driver-assistance features.
However, many other state governments require front license plates because it allows for easier detection by traffic cameras. 
Because this empowers law enforcement officers, some believe that requiring front license plates is an over-extension of the state government’s authority. Of course, the flip side of the argument is that front license plates make it easier for Florida Highway Patrol to identify stolen motor vehicles, locate missing people, and enforce
traffic laws
—all of which benefit the public.

Which states have the highest rate of car theft?

Front license plates help law enforcement to identify and track stolen vehicles—and Florida’s major cities have a serious auto theft problem. 
Colorado is the state with the highest rate of vehicle theft, averaging 524.3 instances per 100,000 people. New Mexico and California come in second and third, according to data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Service. 
Car thefts are usually more common in Florida’s cities—and most of Florida’s cities have car theft rates above the national average, which is 286.2. That’s one reason that the
average cost of auto insurance
is so high in Florida.
Here are the Florida cities with the highest car theft rates:
  • Tallahassee: 406.0
  • Miami: 373.3
  • Orlando: 332.7
  • Jacksonville: 313.8
All other cities in Florida have car theft rates below 300.
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FAQs

No—Florida is a one-plate state and does not require drivers to have front license plates.
Yes, you can take off your front license plate in Florida. Only a rear plate is required by Florida state law.
License plate covers are illegal in Florida, since state law requires the rear license plate to be as visible as possible. Even a clear plate cover can degrade or crack over time, making it difficult to see your license plate. Decals, stickers, and other forms of adornment on your license plate are also illegal. 
A front license plate improves law enforcement’s ability to identify and track motor vehicles involved in a crime, including car theft. 
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