no longer requires drivers to display a front license plate. However, you’ll still need a rear license plate on the back of your vehicle at all times.

The passing of House Bill 62 (the law that made Ohio officially a “one-plate state”) not only saves the state’s government over one million dollars a year in revenue—-it also helps conserve local resources and align Ohio more closely with its Midwestern neighbors, many of which are also transitioning into single license plate states.

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Does Ohio require a front license plate?

No—Ohio no longer requires a front license plate for most vehicles on the road.

But that wasn’t always the case! Prior to 2020, Ohio drivers were required to have both front and rear

Ohio license plates

displayed on their vehicles—and a failure to comply could have earned you a fine and possible jail time. That’s because front license plates play an important role in helping identify your vehicle, both to other drivers and also to law enforcement.

That changed on July 1, 2020, when the Ohio legislature passed a law requiring just one license plate to be displayed on the rear of motor and passenger vehicles.

Your rear license plate must be properly attached and visible at all times on your vehicle. A clear, protective cover is permitted, so long as it does not obscure any text or stickers present on your rear license plate. The same requirements apply to personalized license plates and special plates, such as those issued to disabled veterans or purchased for an extra fee.

Exemptions

House Bill 62

made front license plates optional for the majority of passenger and motor vehicles—but not for everyone. Commercial trailers, tractors, and trucks must still display a front license plate in addition to the one on the rear.

If you’re a driver with specialized plates that you want to display on the front of your vehicle, you still have the option to do so—as long as an identical plate is also displayed on the back.

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

You don’t need a front license plate in Ohio anymore—but rear plates are still required by law, and driving without one could mean serious consequences.

Driving without a license plate in Ohio could earn you anything from a fine to a minor misdemeanor charge (or both). Fines can reach as much as $500, and in serious cases, a misdemeanor charge could mean jail time—but generally, it’s not a jailable offense.

One common source of license plate fines is a failure to have the plate properly displayed. Even a decorative frame that’s a little too big or clunky, or a stubborn spot of mud covering one letter or number could earn you a penalty from law enforcement—so it’s important to keep your plate clean!

MORE:

Is my license plate frame legal in Ohio?

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Which U.S. states do not require a front license plate?

Like Ohio, many other states have also changed their license plate laws to require just a single plate on most motor vehicles. In addition to the Buckeye State, the 19 states listed below have no front license plate requirement:

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Indiana

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Michigan

Mississippi

New Mexico

North Carolina

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Tennessee

West Virginia

Why Ohio does not require a front license plate

Removing the requirement for a front license plate in Ohio has benefits for both drivers and the state. Namely, the removal of a front license plate requirement helps save the state around $1.5 million dollars annually.

Despite big savings, not every driver was amenable to the change—police officers, in particular, campaigned to keep front license plates mandatory across the state, as front plates play a big role in helping law enforcement spot stolen vehicles, identify vehicular crimes, and cite traffic violations. UberandLyftdrivers were also among the two-plate supporters.

On the bright side, by cutting the cost of producing front license plates, the Ohio state government is able to put more money toward its transportation budget, in order to address deteriorating road conditions and make Ohio a safer place to drive.

MORE:

Ohio car insurance laws

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