Do You Need a Front License Plate in California?

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Do you need a front license plate in California? And what is the penalty if you decide not to display a front license? Find out!

Does California Require a Front License Plate?

Yes, passenger vehicles registered in California must display valid license plates on both the front and back of the car.

Vehicle Code 5200 VC – Display of License Plates

CVC 5200 states:

“(a) When two license plates are issued by the department for use upon a vehicle, they shall be attached to the vehicle for which they were issued, one in the front and the other in the rear.

(b) When only one license plate is issued for use upon a vehicle, it shall be attached to the rear thereof, unless the license plate is issued for use upon a truck tractor, in which case the license plate shall be displayed in accordance with Section 4850.5.”

What Is the Penalty of No Front License Plate?

A License Plate Display Failure ticket will cost around $196.

What Is a Valid License Plate?

In order for your license plate to be valid there must two stickers displayed on it. One showing what month your registration expires and another showing what year your registration expires. DMV will send new year stickers each time you renew your registration. While month stickers never change.

What Vehicles Require License Plates or Tags?

Vehicles that need license plates or registration tags from CA DMV include:

  • Passenger Vehicles
  • Commercial vehicles.
  • Recreational vehicles.
  • Motorcycles.
  • Trailers.
  • Off-highway vehicles (OHVs).
  • Tow dollies.

GetDismissed Ticket Dismissal Service

We have helped thousands of California drivers dismiss their traffic tickets. Our service is fast, easy, reliable and no-stress. Create your account, upload a snapshot of your traffic citation, tell us what happened in your own words and wait for our email.

Then you review and sign your written defense documents, include the bail fee and mail it off to the court. It can take up to 90 days to receive the response. In the meantime, you are free to get back to life as usual.

Give us a try and see how easy it is!

Steve F. Miller

Steven F. Miller

Founder and Managing Member of The Ticket Advocate, LLC.

Steve has been leading the fight against traffic tickets for over 22 years and is the CEO/President of GetDismissed, a service that empowers California drivers with traffic tickets to fight back without going to court.   As a thought leader and business entrepreneur, Steve has also been featured on TV, Radio, Print, and Online as a traffic ticket expert talking about such subjects as distracted driving, contesting traffic tickets, traffic ticket myths, traffic ticket tips, traffic law, and more.  Steve is a published author, releasing his first book in 2011, and now has four books regarding fighting traffic tickets which can be found on Amazon. Read More…

GetDismissed Makes it Easy

Using these 3 simple steps, you can start getting your ticket dismissed now!

What Types of Tickets Do We Help With?

GetDismissed produces results in fighting all kinds of tickets. Unfortunately, this list does not include exhibition of speed citations. Your best bet in fighting one of these infractions, is to contact an attorney. An attorney can negotiate on your behalf to try and reduce fines, or even to reduce the charges to a lesser infraction which could possibly qualify for traffic school.

We do however, contest infractions revolving around speeding, red lights, red light cameras, cell phones, signs (primarily stop signs), carpool violations, U-turns, out of lane violations, and commercial violations. If you receive a citation and have questions, contact us today.

Notice to Consumer/Disclaimer: getdismissed.com is not a law firm and purchasing a legal document is not a substitute for legal advice from an attorney. getdismissed.com is owned and operated by The Ticket Advocate LLC., a bonded and registered Legal Document Assistant (Los Angeles County LDA registration no. 2015010851). A Legal Document Assistant cannot provide legal advice and can only provide self-help services like preparing, completing, or filing legal documents or forms at your specific direction and supplying you with attorney - approved written material for your self-help needs. If you choose to use this site or getdismissed.com services you agree that the information provided on this web-site and information given by getdismissed.com employees is not legal advice and no Attorney - Client relationship is created. We are not an attorney. We cannot perform the legal services that an attorney performs. We cannot engage in the practice of law. This includes providing any kind of advice, explanation, opinion, or recommendation about possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms, or strategies. getdismissed.com's registration is valid until January 9, 2027, after which it must be renewed. To confirm that getdismissed.com is registered, you may contact the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk at P.O. Box 1208 Norwalk, CA 90650-1208, or 562-462-2177, or https://www.lavote.net/. Our corporate offices are located at 5716 Corsa Ave, Suite 207, Westlake Village, CA 91362, U.S. Please note that your access to and use of getdismissed.com is subject to additional Terms & Conditions. You may call us at 800.580.3769 with any questions or concerns.

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*Applicable to tickets that get dismissed only.

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