You’re getting ready to hit the road in the Sunshine State and you don’t want to end up with a moving vehicle citation. You’ve got the traffic laws all but memorized, but what about your vehicle? Is it considered street legal? We’re talking about front and rear license plates and Florida law has something to say.
While some statutes are confusing, navigating Florida’s front license plate laws can be surprisingly easy. However you don’t want to misread the law, you can end up with a pretty hefty fine.
Does Your Vehicle Need a Front License Plate?
Chances are when you pull out of the dealership, your vehicle comes with a temporary rear license plate. This is the paper tag that typically expires within 30 days after being issued. With that being said, you may be able to extend the tag’s expiration date to 60 days. However, this only applies to passenger and non-commercial vehicles.
So, if the temporary license plate is on the back of the vehicle, what’s on the front? Yes, there’s a license plate holder but it typically displays a dealership’s ad. Is this legal? The answer is yes, at least in Florida. As long as your temporary tags on the back are valid, it really doesn’t matter if the license plate holder is empty on the vehicle’s front or advertising the dealership.
You can always request a front license plate from the DMV. You can go with a matching plate or get creative and create a vanity one. Once your temporary tags have expired the law can change but it depends on the type of vehicle.
According to Florida’s Department of Motor Vehicles, all non-commercial vehicles, including light-duty trucks, are only required to have rear license plates. Motorcycles are also only required to have rear license plates. The reason for this is pretty straightforward. There really isn’t space on the front of a motorcycle to attach a license plate.
Possible Vehicle Exceptions
Most commercial vehicles are required to have a front license plate. Known as a gross weight license plate, it signifies the vehicle is meeting all state and federal weight restrictions.
Typically, all vehicles with a gross weight of 26,001 pounds or more need plates on both the front and back. This applies to semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles according to Statute 320.0706. If a commercial vehicle is driving without a gross weight license plate, penalties can include fines and truck impoundment.
Potential Penalties for Failing to Display a Rear License Plate
If you’re driving around without a rear license plate, should you worry about any potential penalties? The answer is yes. Florida law requires all vehicles registered in the state to have rear license plates.
If an officer like a state highway patrolman or even one working for the city or county notices your vehicle is missing its license plate, you can receive a traffic ticket. Since it’s a ticket for a non-moving violation, you usually don’t need to worry about spending time in jail.
Even if you’re not committing other infractions, and your vehicle is safe to drive, it’s probably still going to be impounded. You can’t drive your vehicle without a valid rear license plate. Currently, fines for not having a rear license plate are around $200. This doesn’t include towing and impound fees. Yes, it’s lesser to purchase license plates than pay the traffic fine.
If you can install a rear license plate before your court date, there’s a chance you can have the fine waived. Instead of paying a $200 fine, you’re only charged for court costs, usually around $10.
Why Should You Have Front and Rear License Plates?
Having a license plate on the front and rear of your vehicle can seem a little redundant. Even though it can be a little annoying attaching a license plate to the rear and front bumpers, there’s a good reason it’s the law in Florida.
Displaying two license plates makes it easier for law enforcement to identify vehicles, whether it’s in-person or using a system like toll or speed cameras.
Law enforcement has a better chance of being able to read your license plate if it’s on the front and back of your vehicle. This also applies to the state’s camera systems. When law enforcement can more easily identify a vehicle, it helps make the roads safer for everyone.
Additional License Plate Laws
Florida license plate laws go a little further than requiring vehicle owners to have rear tags. Some other laws you should know to help you avoid getting a traffic ticket include,
All license plates must be visible. This means your license plate holder can’t obscure any of the letters or numbers on the tag. Dirt, grime, and mud also can’t cover your license plate. So, if you’re going mudding on the weekends in your Jeep or truck, take a few minutes to wash off your license plates before hitting the road.
Don’t forget about your vehicle’s registration sticker. The sticker is just as important as your license plates. Your registration sticker must be affixed to the corner of your windshield and visible. In other words, you can’t cover the registration sticker with something else like a parking permit. Fines for driving around with an outdated registration sticker can also be hefty.
If your license plates are damaged, lost, or stolen, you must report the damage to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles. There is a replacement fee, but it’s significantly less than the fines associated with the traffic ticket.
Keeping Your Vehicle Legal in Florida
Florida license plate laws are fairly simple and easy to follow. All non-commercial vehicles registered in Florida, with a few exceptions like motorcycles, must display rear license plates. The license plates must also be visible.
However, it’s not a bad idea to splurge on front license plates. They have their advantages and you can get anything from matching plates to vanity ones. Don’t forget about your vehicle registration sticker. You also need the sticker to ensure your vehicle is legal to hit Florida roads.
