It appears you are referring to information we have on our site that states "our research shows that over 30 states require both a front and rear license plate. This includes the states of Massachusetts and Connecticut who have in recent years gone back to requiring 2 plates after previously only requiring 1 plate. Front plates are believed to improve the effectiveness of law enforcement and the new technologies they now use, such as laser guns used to catch speeders."

For your informational purposes here is the how the states break down regarding the requirement for 1 or 2 license plates needing to be displayed. Keep in mind that laws change and are amended regularly so if you have a question about particular State then you should contact that State directly for information on how many plates they require a motorist to have on their vehicle at this present time and if there is any legislation pending to change their current license plate laws.

In the United States there are currently 19 States that require only require a rear license plate, and not a front license plate, be displayed. These states include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Guam also do not require a front license plate.

Our research information found that in Canada the areas of Alberta, Quebec, Manitoba (plates issued prior to 1997, new plates are front/back since 1997), Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Yukon Territory only require a rear plate.

There are 31 States (plus the District of Columbia) that require two set of tags be displayed, front and back license plates. These States include:
Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. In the US territory of American Samoa both plates are required as well.

In Canada we understand that British Columbia, Manitoba (plates issued since 1997), New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Saskatchewan require both a front and back license plate.

We will note that states may have some exceptions to the license plates rules / laws. For example in Nevada, front plates are optional but only 1) if the vehicle was not designed for a front plate and 2) the manufacturer did not provide an add-on bracket or other means of displaying the front plate or other means of displaying the front plate (NRS 482.275, which was the result of 2005 NV legislature).

Beyond this exception Nevada’s DMV states that motor vehicles are issued two license plates, except for motorcycles and trailers, which are issued only one, a rear plate. You must display both plates if the vehicle is designed for a front plate or if the manufacturer offers an add-on bracket or frame. DMV will issue two plates for all vehicles (except motorcycles and trailers). If the second plate is not displayed, it is the owner's responsibility to store the second plate and surrender or return both plates to the department at the appropriate time.

NV, as most states, gives specifics regarding the placement of the license. They state that license plates must at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle so as to prevent the plate from swinging and at a height not less than 12 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of such plate, in a place and position to be clearly visible. It must be maintained free from foreign materials and in a condition to be clearly legible. NV law has license plate specifications which call for plates to be readable from a distance of 100 feet during daylight. At night, plates must be readable from 110 feet and visible from 1,500 feet when lit by standard headlights.

To find out about other states specific guidelines regarding license plates and if there are any exceptions to the one or two plate requirement (depending upon the laws governing the amount of license tags a vehicle must display) contact a State’s Department of Motor Vehicles directly.