Kansas does not require drivers to post front license plates on their vehicles—unless the vehicle is a truck or tractor. All other vehicles must post rear license plates that display vehicle registration.

If you’ve driven in more than one U.S. state, you might know that some states require front license plates and others don’t. Kansas does not require front plates—and we’re going to look into the specifics of it below.

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Does Kansas require front license plates?

No—the state of Kansas does not require front license plates on vehicles. Actually, according to Kansas Statute § 8-133 (2015), your vehicle can’t have a front license plate unless it falls under the statute’s exemptions (which we will look into below).

The statute states that Kansas drivers must attach their single license plate to the rear of the vehicle so it displays the vehicle’s registration status. The plate needs to be fastened in a secure manner (so it doesn’t swing or fall off), and the bottom of the plate must be at least 12 inches from the ground.

Exemptions

Although most vehicles are prohibited from displaying a front license plate in Kansas, there are a few exemptions where drivers are allowed to display a front plate. Here they are:

If the plate is a personalized license plate that adheres to the provisions of K.S.A. 8-1,125

Trucks and tractors should display plates in the front, not the rear

Front plates, when permitted, should adhere to the standards for rear plates in Kansas: they should be securely fastened, display registration placards, and be at least 12 inches from the ground.

MORE:

Kansas car insurance laws—all you need to know

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

In short, none! Of course, remember that trucks and tractors need to display front plates in Kansas, but not rear plates. For these vehicles, the punishment for not displaying a front plate would be the same as not displaying a rear plate: a misdemeanor charge and a fine of no less than $500.

MORE:

Kansas car seat law

Which US states do not require a front license plate?

Kansas is among a large handful of U.S. states that don’t require front license plates. Here is the exhaustive list of states that don’t require front plates:

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Indiana

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Michigan

Mississippi

New Mexico

North Carolina

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Tennessee

West Virginia

MORE:

Does my car insurance cover car theft?

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Which states have the highest rate of car theft?

According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Service, Kansas saw a car theft rate of 249.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. But

Colorado

New Mexico

, and

California

have some of the highest rates of car theft in the U.S.—Kansas doesn’t even make it into the top 10 states.

Within Kansas,

Topeka

is the city with the highest rate of car theft. At 535 thefts per 100,000 residents, the city’s rate is well above the state average—and that’s probably why drivers pay so much more for

Topeka car insurance

MORE:

The best car anti-theft devices to keep your vehicle safe

How to find cheap car insurance in Kansas

One thing is sure—car insurance can be overpriced wherever you drive.

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