Vermont is similar to the majority of US states in that it requires drivers to display a license plate on both the front and back of their vehicles at all times. There are a few exceptions to this rule, one of which requires you to own a “Vermont Strong” license plate.

Some states require drivers to have a front license plate since it makes it easier for law enforcement to apply traffic laws and find stolen vehicles. However, some drivers complain that affixing a front plate ruins the visual appeal of their ride.

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Does Vermont require front license plates?

Yes—if you live in Vermont you are almost always required to have both a front and rear license plate on your vehicle.

It’s also illegal to place a cover on your license plate if it makes the plate illegible in any way. That means a cover that’s tinted or one that covers any of the letters or numbers on your license plate is not allowed.

Keep in mind that Vermont’s front license plate rules are also true for personalized license plates and any specialty plates that you apply for.

Exemptions

There are two exceptions to the front license plate rules in Vermont, and the first depends on your vehicle class. While

every car registered

in Vermont has to have a front license plate, motorcycles and trailers do not.

If you own a motorcycle or trailer, you’ll only receive one license plate from the DMV and you can affix it to the rear of the vehicle.

The other exception is much more relevant for everyday Vermont drivers. Back in 2012, Vermont suffered greatly from the effects of Hurricane Irene, and as a response, the government produced official “Vermont Strong” license plates.

Although the Vermont Strong plates are no longer sold, residents who already have one are allowed to affix it to the front of their vehicle even though it covers the original plates.

MORE:

How to check available custom license plates

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

If you get caught driving without your front license plate (or without your rear plates) in Vermont, you’ll be on the hook for a fine of over $100. If you repeat the offense, you can expect the cost of that fine to increase.

Law enforcement may give you a chance to fix your license plate issue rather than give you a ticket right away. But rather than rely on that possibility, it’s best to have the right plates before you hit the road.

MORE:

Vermont reckless driving

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Which US states do not require a front license plate?

Vermont’s front license plate requirement is something it shares with neighboring states, but there are areas in the US where the laws are more lenient. Here is a look at the list of states that don’t require you to have both front and back license plates:

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Indiana

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Michigan

Mississippi

New Mexico

North Carolina

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Tennessee

West Virginia

Why Vermont requires a front license plate

Even if it might seem like requiring two license plates is unnecessary, the states that have a two-plate law have some solid reasons for doing so.

If a

vehicle is stolen

, law enforcement will use the license plates as a way to identify and eventually recover the vehicle. Having plates on both the front and back of your car makes it much easier for the police to spot it, so there is a chance the law could benefit you directly.

Two-license plate laws are also helpful for police as it allows them to maintain traffic conditions and assess violations more easily. While it may be unappealing to some drivers who hate how the plates look, there are too many benefits for Vermont to do away with the rule.

MORE:

Vermont road closures

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Does Vermont have a lot of car theft?

No! Data provided by the FBI’s Crime in the US report indicates that Vermont has the lowest rate of car theft across the entire country. Only 47.8 cars are reported as stolen for every 100,000 people who live in the state.

While some might use those statistics to argue that the front license plate rules are unnecessary in a place with so few thefts, others could argue the opposite. The strict license plate requirement may be one factor that helps keep auto thefts so low, and it could be worth keeping for that alone.

Outside of the obvious—your car is less likely to be stolen—there is one pretty serious benefit to Vermont’s low auto theft rates.

Vermont car insurance costs

are kept in check thanks to the state's low rate of auto theft because car insurance providers don’t need to worry as much about comprehensive insurance claims.

MORE: What is the cost of living in Vermont?

How to find cheap car insurance in Vermont

The low rates of auto theft keep car insurance costs in Vermont pretty reasonable, but that doesn’t mean it’s not expensive. If you’re looking for a surefire way to save some money on your coverage without investing too much time to do it, you should download

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