Every car that’s on the road has to have a license plate. License plates are a part of vehicle registration, which helps to identify the vehicle and its owner. All states require that vehicles have a license plate in the back, but 31 states also require a front license plate.
Is Ohio one of the states that require a front license plate? Let’s find out!
Front License Plate Regulations in Ohio
Up until July 1, 2020, Ohio has been one of the states that require a license plate in the front and back. This was the policy since 1908, except for the years of 1944-1946. The change back then was meant to be temporary so that steel could be conserved during WWII.
After years of debate, Ohio lawmakers recently changed the laws and eliminated the front license plate regulation. In April 2019, the license plate change was part of a two-year state transportation budget bill named House Bill 62. But it was far from a unanimous decision. Ten of the 32 state senators and 27 of the 97 state representatives voted down the measure.
The most up-to-date laws like the new license plate regulations are one of the many things we cover in our Ohio Drivers Ed course. So if you’re trying to get a license in Ohio don’t let the change cost you points on the knowledge exam!
Controversy Over Eliminating Ohio’s Front License Plate
Vehicle owners are happy they no longer have to worry about two license plates, but there’s one group of Ohioans that aren’t happy about it. Before the change even took effect, Ohio law enforcement members urged the state Congress to overturn the decision to do away with front license plates. The Ohio Association of Security and Investigation Services has also spoken out against the change.
Law enforcement has long contended that front license plates improve public safety and make it easier for them to catch people who are suspected of serious crimes. Among those offenses are charges of kidnapping, murder and fugitives that are on the run. Yikes!
On the other side of the debate, there are drivers and state accountants. Drivers are more than happy to only have one license plate to screw on their vehicles. Plus, there’s one less concern about violating the law. It’s not as serious as driving without a license in Ohio, but in the past, if you drove without a front license plate you could:
Be found guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Be stopped by a police officer, which could lead to further fines.
Be slapped with a ticket if the officer cites you for another offense.
Get ticketed $100 while you are legally parked.
State officials have said eliminating the front license plate requirement could save Ohio as much as $1.4 million annually. How is that possible? Because vehicle owners will still be paying the same amount for one license plate as they had for two. Sorry, no savings for citizens.
The budget argument still wasn’t enough to sway dissenting state legislators. Just months after the change was voted into law, Senate bills were already being drafted to return Ohio to a two-plate state. Currently, Senate Bill 179 is making the rounds, and if approved, would reinstate the front license plate.
As it is right now, Ohio is the 20th state to get rid of front license plates. However, how long that policy lasts is up for debate. No matter how things play out in the long run, there are some motorized vehicles that never have to worry about a front license plate. The people and vehicles that have never been required to have a rear license plate include:
A manufacturer of motor vehicles or dealer
Holder of an in-transit permit
Motorcycles
Motorized bicycles or mopeds
Motor-driven cycles
Motor scooters
Autocycles
Cab-enclosed motorcycles
Manufactured homes
Mobile homes
Trailers
Semitrailers
If you own one of the items above there’s no need to worry about whether or not the new license plate law sticks. You’re good either way!
Properly Displaying License Plates in Ohio
Even if you have both license plates right now you could still get in trouble if they aren’t displayed properly. A few of the license plate display guidelines that need to be followed are:
The front license plate has to be well secured so that it doesn’t move at all.
You can’t have anything obstructing the license plate.
The license plate can’t be bent or warped so that it can’t be read.
The validation sticker on the rear license plate must be visible at all times.
Bottom line:
Until July 1, 2020, you need to have both a back and front license plate to legally drive a vehicle that’s registered in Ohio. Without both plates you run the risk of getting pulled over, ticketed and/or cited for other offenses. And even after the regulation changes, you’ll still need to make sure the rear license plate is completely visible at all times or you could get stopped.
*Updated March 5, 2020