Yes, you are required to have both front and rear license plates attached to your car if you live in Massachusetts. If you fail to display a legible front license plate, you could end up paying a significant fine.

Not everyone likes having a front license plate—they can ruin the visual appeal of certain cars, and they aren’t always easy to attach. But there are several reasons why states mandate them, most of which benefit law enforcement agencies.

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Does Massachusetts require front license plates?

Yes, Massachusetts requires every vehicle to have one state license plate on the front and one on the back.

The rules specifically state that you will receive two plates upon registering your vehicle, and you must properly affix those plates on both the front and back of your vehicle. If they are obstructed or illegible, you can expect to face a fine—or worse.

The “two-plate rules” in Massachusetts apply even if you have applied for special or vanity license plates.

Exemptions

There are a few situations where you are allowed to drive with just one license plate in Massachusetts. If you’re exempt, you’ll only receive one plate when you register your vehicle, but if you receive two plates, you must affix one of them to the front.

If you drive a

motorcycle

, you will only receive one license plate and therefore are allowed to drive with just that license plate affixed. There are also certain cases where cars owned by a dealership may be allowed to be driven with one set of license plates.

MORE: Temporary license plates in Massachusetts

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

If you get caught driving without a front or rear license in Massachusetts, you will face a pretty hefty fine. The same can be said if your plate is covered or illegible.

You’ll pay more after your first offense for improper display of license plates in Massachusetts. The fine rises as follows:

1st offense: $35

2nd offense: $75

3rd offense: $150

There are situations where you may be pulled over by law enforcement but allowed a chance to affix a front license plate before getting into any trouble. However, the states surrounding Massachusetts also require front license plates, so don’t count on too much leniency.

MORE:

What is a citation? (citation vs. ticket)

Which US states do not require a front license plate?

Despite being common in the northeast, many states do not require drivers to have license plates on the front of their vehicles. The 19 states that do not

require front registration plates

are:

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Indiana

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Michigan

Mississippi

New Mexico

North Carolina

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Tennessee

West Virginia

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Why Massachusetts requires a front license plate

Drivers generally dislike front license plates for aesthetic reasons—they may feel as if the plates hinder the appearance of their car, especially if it’s expensive or exotic. While that might be true, it’s not enough for Massachusetts to forego the value of front license plates.

Having a front license pates makes it much easier for law enforcement to find your vehicle should it ever be stolen. Police also use front license plates to distribute traffic violations.

MORE:

How to report a stolen car

Which states have the highest rate of car theft

If you go by the data provided by the FBI, there are 89 car thefts recorded for every 100,000 people living in Massachusetts. That’s an exceptionally low figure—Massachusetts lands in the top 10 states with the lowest rates for vehicle theft.

While it’s great that Mass. has such low vehicle theft rates, that doesn’t mean it’s entirely devoid of it. Equipping your car with

anti-theft devices

is a good way to prevent your car from being stolen, but if it is, you’ll be thankful to have front plates equipped.

MORE:

Does car insurance cover car theft?

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