Does Indiana Require Front License Plates?

Indiana is one of 19 states that doesn’t require a front license plate for most vehicles. Click here to learn more.
Written by Mariza Morin
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
No,
Indiana
does not require front license plates. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) requires you to only display a single Indiana license plate on the rear of the car.
Believe it or not, there are actually 20 states that don’t require a front license plate on your vehicle—and Indiana is one of them! 
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Does Indiana require front license plates?

No—Indiana is one of 20 states that do not require a front license plate on vehicles. 
According to
Section 9-18.1-4-4
of the Indiana Code, Indiana drivers must display only a single license plate on the rear of their vehicle.
You’ll want to make sure your rear license plate is tightly secured in a horizontal and upright position that shows the
vehicle registration
expiration year in the upper right corner. It must be clearly visible and not obstructed by a license plate frame, cover, or any other accessories. 
Additionally, your Indiana license plate requires three registration stickers, including one in the:
  • Top right-hand corner that shows the year your registration expires
  • Top left-hand corner that shows the month and date your registration expires
  • Bottom right-hand corner that shows the county your vehicle is registered in
The only vehicles that are required to display front license plates are tractors, dump trucks, and trucks with rear-mounted forklifts

What is the penalty for not abiding by license plate laws in Indiana?

Driving without a rear license plate on your vehicle is considered a Class C infraction under Indiana law. If you fail to properly display your Indiana license plate on the rear of your vehicle, you could receive a penalty of up to $500
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Which US states do not require a front license plate?

Indiana isn’t the only US state that doesn’t require a front license plate. In fact, 20 states in the country follow the one-license plate standard! Take a look at the list of states below that have no front license plate requirement: 
  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Indiana
  • Kansas 
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma 
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • West Virginia

Why do other US states require both front and back license plates?

Is there a downside to front license plates?
Generally, they are prone to damaging front bumpers, along with impacting aerodynamics and air circulation to the grille. They’re not exactly the most aesthetically pleasing addition, either. By not requiring a front license plate, Indiana also likely saves on a lot of license plate production costs per year. 
But for law enforcement, front license plates play a key role when it comes to recovering stolen vehicles. So if you become a victim of auto theft, equipping your vehicle with front and rear license plates doubles your chances that the police will be able to find your stolen property. 
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