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
Updated on Oct 25, 2022
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! 
Here to guide you through license plate laws in the Hoosier State is
Jerry
, the world’s
trustworthy insurance comparison super app
that saves drivers money on
car insurance
. We’ll take a closer look at the state law, penalties for breaking state license plate laws, and some pointers on how to save on
Indiana insurance costs
.
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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 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

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. 

How to find cheap car insurance in Indiana

Indiana license plate laws won’t exactly protect you from car theft, but a robust car insurance policy with
comprehensive coverage
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Here’s how it works: after you download the app, all you have to do is sign-up in roughly 45 seconds to instantly access several competitive rates from a pool of over 55 top insurance companies. Once you find a policy that works for your budget, Jerry’s team of expert agents will quickly get to work to handle the rest—from finalizing all the paperwork and phone calls to helping you cancel your old policy. 
That’s right, Jerry is the one-stop-shop that all drivers need in their pockets. On average, Jerry customers save over $800 a year on car insurance when they make the switch!
“I would 11/10 recommend
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