There’s no special treatment for drivers who live in the nation’s capital—all residents of Washington, D.C. are required by law to display current license plates on both the front and rear of their vehicles.
Despite the fact that “one-plate states” seem to be on the rise, the fact remains that most of the country still abides by the two-plate system. Washington, D.C. is no exception. It might be a somewhat annoying requirement—especially if you don’t have a front plate bracket—but the two-plate system allegedly helps law enforcement with the recovery of stolen vehicles and the regulation of traffic.
If you want a full run-through of D.C. license plate laws, then you’re in luck. Jerry
, the app for car insurance
savings, is here to discuss why Washington, D.C. requires a front license plate. And we’ll even tell you how to lower your District of Columbia insurance costs while we’re at it! Does Washington, D.C. require front license plates?
Yes, Washington, D.C. requires that the majority of vehicles display current, valid license plates on both the front and rear bumpers.
This has been the case since 1903 when D.C. passed its first motor vehicle registration law. Initially, residents had to provide their own plates, but the city began supplying official plates in 1907.
Currently, Section 18-422
of D.C. Municipal Regulations defines the accepted criteria for the display of license plates. It requires that your plates be properly secured, clearly visible, and entirely legible. Drivers have to make sure that no part of any plate is obscured or covered up by anything, lest they incur a $500 fine. No colored plate covers are allowed, either.
Remember, these rules apply to special and personalized plates, as well. Whether you’re sporting a simple “CUL8R” vanity plate or something more specialized like disabled tags, you still need to ensure that they are properly displayed and easily visible.
Exemptions
Most drivers in D.C. will have to mount two plates on their cars. The following vehicles are exempt from the two-plate requirement, though:
Vehicles identified by a dealer’s or manufacturer’s tag
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Start earning nowWhat is the penalty for driving without a front license plate in Washington, D.C.?
If you get caught driving without a front license plate in Washington, D.C., you could be issued a $200 fine!On top of that, driving without a front plate gives law enforcement probable cause to pull you over, so the charges might only start there. If you happened to be speeding when the officer noticed your lack of a front plate, for example, you’ll probably be ticketed for that, as well.
Having to shell out extra cash for a front license plate may seem obnoxious, but not having one can end up being significantly more expensive. So, make sure your plates are squared away!
Which US states do not require a front license plate?
D.C. joins 31 other states in enforcing a two-plate system, but a large chunk of the country only requires that drivers display a rear plate. Those 19 states are:
Why Washington, D.C. requires a front license plate
At the end of the day, many people simply do not like the front license plate obligation. Some find them aesthetically unattractive. Others drive cars without a place to install them, (meaning you have to drill into the bumper!). Still others simply find them to be an unnecessary waste of money.
However, police officers claim that front license plates help them recover stolen vehicles and enforce traffic ordinances.
Which states have the highest rate of car theft?
In Washington, D.C., the rate of auto theft is slightly on the rise, with a 2% increase from 2021–2022 according to the Metro Police Department
(2,848 thefts reported, up from 2,793). D.C. sits somewhere in the middle of the pack when it comes to car theft. It’s a large urban area, so stolen cars are certainly a problem. But it’s not nearly as bad as Western cities like Bakersfield, California,
or Albuquerque, New Mexico
. If you’re wondering, the three worst states for auto theft are Colorado
, New Mexico
, and California
, in that order. On top of the added crime risk, living in these areas can affect your insurance costs. A great way to keep the cost of your premium from rising is to compare car insurance quotes with Jerry.
How to find cheap car insurance in Washington, D.C.
It doesn’t matter if you’re living in Washington, D.C. or Washington state, Jerry
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