Yes, you almost always have to have a front and rear license plate attached to your vehicle if you are driving in Maryland.
Written by Sean Boehme Reviewed by Jessica Barrett Updated on Jan 31, 2024
requires drivers to have two visible license plates on their vehicles—one on the front of the vehicle and one on the back. But there are exceptions to this rule for certain classes of vehicles, including motorcycles and tractors.
QUICK LOOKThe state of Maryland requires drivers to display two license plates on their vehicles—one on the front and one on the rear—with only a few exceptions based on vehicle class.
Failure to display both plates can result in a $70 fine.Front license plates help law enforcement identify stolen vehicles which is important in areas with higher vehicle theft rates, like
Front license plate requirements in MarylandYou almost always have to have a front and rear license plate attached to your vehicle if you are driving in Maryland. There are only a few exceptions to this rule, all based on vehicle class.
Maryland vehicle lawspecifically states that both the front bumper and the rear of the vehicle must be equipped with a permanent and legible registration plate at all times. If you lose your license plate or the sticker becomes illegible, you must acquire a new plate as soon as you can.
During the time you are without one of the registration plates, you are expected to attach a temporary plate displaying your registration number. If you’re in need of a temporary front tag for your car, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) will issue one for a $20 fee.
Exemptions The exceptions to the “two-plate rule” in Maryland are entirely dependent on vehicle class. Vehicles that are permitted on the road with just one registration plate include : Tractors (Class F) Trailers (Class G) Motorcycles (Class D) Street rods (Class N) and historic cars (Class L) that are 50+ years oldThe bottom line : If you drive a car that was manufactured in the past 50 years, it’s safe to assume that you must have front and back plates at all times. If you’ve got a car that’s 50 years or older, you may be able to go without registration plates in the front.
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If you fail to properly display either your front or back license plate, you can expect to pay a fine of $70 in Maryland. You’ll pay the same fine if you put a license plate cover on your license plate since that is illegal in the state.
The $70 fine assumes that you don’t have the plate attached or visible—not that there is an issue with your vehicle registration . Driving with an unregistered vehicle is a much more serious offense that could carry a heftier fine.
It’s worth noting that lawmakers in Maryland have discussed removing the front license plate requirement for drivers within the state. However, you should always drive with a front and back plate unless you receive official word that it’s no longer necessary.
