{"id":13209,"date":"2024-11-12T04:15:18","date_gmt":"2024-11-12T12:15:18","guid":{"rendered":"\/wp-site\/?p=13209"},"modified":"2025-05-16T12:58:34","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T19:58:34","slug":"does-washington-state-require-a-front-license-plate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/dmv\/does-washington-state-require-a-front-license-plate\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Washington State Require Front License Plates?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Yes, Washington State requires most vehicles to display both front and rear Washington license plates<\/span> upon registration.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you aren\u2019t used to the rules of a \u201ctwo-plate state\u201d, being required to have a license plate on the front of your car can seem like an unnecessary annoyance. But the fact is, having a front license plate in Washington not only helps you avoid legal consequences like fines\u2014it also keeps your car safe from property crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here with a guide to the front license plate requirement laws of Washington State is Jerry<\/a>\u2014the licensed insurance broker app<\/a> for car insurance<\/a> savings. We\u2019ll cover which vehicles are exempt from the law and some crime statistics to help you understand why the law is there in the first place. We\u2019ll even throw in a tip to save money on your Washington car insurance costs!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Washington require front license plates?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Washington State requires drivers to display front and rear license plates, with a few exceptions.

According to Washington State Legislature 46.16A.200, if two license plates are issued, they both have to be displayed on the front and rear of your vehicle. Most vehicle owners will be given two license plates when registering their vehicles, unless they are registering a vehicle like a motorcycle or a trailer, or they have applied for and been granted an exception.

Both plates need to be fully visible, with all text and stickers unobstructed as well as the state name and registration expiration. This information can\u2019t be covered by anything\u2014even dirt getting in the way of their legibility can get you hit with a fine.

Personalized license plates and special plates, like those issued to disabled veterans, are not exempt from these regulations.

A front license plate may be an eyesore, but it\u2019s typically fairly easy to attach. You don\u2019t necessarily have to drill into the front of your car to do so. Many brackets are available with drill-free designs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exemptions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, if you\u2019re issued two Washington plates, you\u2019ll need to put both on your car. Washington State does allow for some exceptions to the front and back license plate requirement, though you\u2019ll likely have to apply for them.

Applying for a front license plate exemption can be quite a process for Washington drivers, but if you\u2019re adamantly against the idea, it may be worth looking into.

To get an exemption, you will first have to prove that your car manufacturer is not able to supply a way to attach a front license plate. Only then can you apply for a front license plate waiver.

There are a few vehicles that are exempt from the two-plate rule, without the driver needing to apply for an example. The single-plate vehicles in Washington State include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n