Front license plate tags are the registration stickers your state requires you to display on your vehicle's front bumper or frame, alongside your front license plate
Most states that require front license plates also require a matching registration tag—usually a small sticker showing your current registration year and sometimes a county or validation code. The tag proves your vehicle is currently registered and insured. Without it, you can be stopped and cited, even if your registration is actually current. The tag itself costs nothing extra; it comes with your registration renewal.
Not all states require front plates or front tags. Some states require only a rear plate and rear tag. A few states—like Arizona, Delaware, and Mississippi—do not require front plates at all, though you can display one if you choose. Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency determines what you must display and where.
Key Takeaways
- Front license plate tags are registration stickers that come with your registration renewal and must be displayed on your front plate if your state requires a front plate.
- The tag proves your vehicle is currently registered; a missing or expired tag can result in a traffic stop and citation even if your registration is valid.
- Not all states require front plates or front tags—check your state's DMV website or your vehicle's registration documents to confirm what you must display.
- Tags are typically renewed annually when you renew your registration, and the cost is included in your registration fee, not charged separately.
- If your tag is damaged, missing, or unreadable, contact your state DMV to request a replacement before driving.
How front license plate tags work in your state
When you renew your vehicle registration, your state's DMV mails you a registration packet that includes your new license plate tag (or tags, if your state requires both front and rear). The tag is a small sticker, usually 2 to 3 inches wide, printed with the registration year and sometimes a county code or validation number. You affix it to the upper or lower corner of your front license plate—your state's DMV documentation shows exactly where.
The tag serves as a quick visual check for law enforcement that your registration is current. An officer can see at a glance whether your vehicle is registered without running your plate through a database. If your tag is missing, expired, or unreadable, you can be pulled over and cited, regardless of whether your registration is actually valid. The citation is typically for a display violation, not a registration violation, but it still results in a fine and a traffic record.
Some states use color-coded tags that change each year—for example, a blue tag one year, a red tag the next. This makes it even easier for officers to spot an expired registration from a distance. Other states use the same color but print the year prominently so the expiration date is obvious.
States that require front plates and front tags
The majority of U.S. states require both a front and rear license plate, which means you must display a registration tag on both plates. These include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
If you move to one of these states or purchase a vehicle registered there, you will receive two tags with your registration renewal—one for the front plate and one for the rear. Both must be displayed and kept current. Displaying only a rear tag when your state requires both is a violation and can result in a citation.
States that require only a rear plate and tag
A smaller group of states requires only a rear license plate and rear registration tag. These include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois (for some vehicle types), Mississippi, Missouri (for some vehicle types), New Mexico (for some vehicle types), and a few others depending on vehicle class. If you live in one of these states, you do not need to display a front plate or front tag, and doing so is optional.
If you move from a state that requires front plates to one that does not, you can remove your front plate and front tag. You will still receive a rear tag with your registration renewal, and that is all you are required to display. Some drivers choose to keep a front plate for aesthetic reasons or because they plan to move again, but it is not legally required.
What to do if your front tag is missing, damaged, or unreadable
If your front registration tag is missing, cracked, faded, or otherwise unreadable, contact your state's DMV when ready. Most states allow you to request a replacement tag by mail, phone, or online through the DMV website. Replacement tags are usually free or cost a small fee (typically $2 to $5). You may be asked to provide your vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number, and current registration information.
Some states issue replacement tags within a few days; others may take one to two weeks. Until your replacement arrives, you should not drive the vehicle if the tag is completely missing or illegible, because you can be cited for a display violation. If you must drive before the replacement arrives, contact your DMV to ask whether they can issue a temporary tag or provide written documentation of your request.
If your tag is damaged but still readable, you may be able to continue driving while you wait for a replacement, but check your state's specific rules. Some states are strict about readability; others allow minor wear as long as the year and validation code are visible.
Transferring a front tag when you buy a used vehicle
When you purchase a used vehicle, you do not transfer the previous owner's registration tag to your vehicle. Instead, you register the vehicle in your name, and your state's DMV sends you new tags. The previous owner's tags must be removed and destroyed or returned to the DMV, depending on your state's rules.
If you purchase a used vehicle and it still has the previous owner's tags on the plates, remove them before driving. Displaying someone else's registration tag is illegal and can result in a citation. Once you have registered the vehicle in your name, affix your new tags to the plates in the location specified by your state's DMV.
If you purchase a vehicle from a dealer, the dealer typically handles the registration and tag transfer, and the vehicle arrives with temporary tags or documentation showing that registration is pending. If you purchase from a private seller, you are responsible for registering the vehicle and obtaining new tags before driving it on public roads.
How registration tag costs are included in your renewal fee
The cost of your registration tags is included in your vehicle registration renewal fee. You do not pay separately for the tags themselves. When you renew your registration—whether by mail, online, or in person at your DMV office—the fee you pay covers the registration, the license plates (if you need new ones), and the tags.
Registration renewal fees vary by state and sometimes by vehicle type, weight, or age. Some states charge a flat fee; others charge based on your vehicle's value or emissions classification. Your DMV website or renewal notice will show the total fee and what it covers. If you are unsure whether tags are included, contact your state's DMV directly.
If you lose a tag or need a replacement before your next renewal, most states charge a small replacement fee (usually $2 to $5) separate from your registration fee. This is the only time you pay specifically for a tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive without a front license plate tag if my registration is current?
No. If your state requires a front plate and front tag, you must display both, even if your registration is current. A missing or expired tag is a display violation and can result in a citation. Law enforcement cannot see your registration status without the tag visible.
What happens if I get pulled over with an expired or missing front tag?
You can be cited for a registration display violation. The fine varies by state but typically ranges from $25 to $100 or more. The citation is separate from your actual registration status—even if your registration is valid, the missing or expired tag is still a violation.
Do I need a front tag if my state only requires a rear plate?
No. If your state requires only a rear plate, you do not need a front plate or front tag. You can display one if you choose, but it is not required. Check your state's DMV website to confirm what your state requires.
How long does it take to get a replacement front tag?
Replacement times vary by state. Most states issue replacement tags within a few days to two weeks. Some DMV offices offer same-day or next-day replacements if you visit in person. Contact your state's DMV to ask about replacement timelines and whether you can request expedited service.
What should I do if my front tag is faded but still readable?
Check your state's specific rules about tag readability. Some states allow minor fading as long as the year and validation code are visible; others require replacement if any part is unclear. If you are unsure, contact your DMV or request a replacement to avoid a citation.