Calif Front Plate Requirements for Visitors

[BTOR]

Hello Forum Members,

Does anyone know if California visitors are required to have a front license plate visible during their visit? They are not required in Oregon where I reside. I searched the Calf. DMV for an answer and came up empty handed.

I do know that toll bridges in the Bay Area use your front plate for billing purposes. I travelled over the Martinez-Benicia Bridge(I-680) a couple of years ago. I received a toll bill by mail with a picture of my front plate. So one would deduce it is needed. However, maybe they will use your rear plate if your front plate is absent. Not sure.... that is why I'm asking.

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[ksurfier]

Many many CA vehicles do not have front plates, even though they are required. I can’t imagine visitors would be held to a higher standard than residents…it would be an excuse to get pulled over, so may be worth installing if worried about…

 

[Newtonrj]

Not sure how someone from a non-front-license plate state would acquire and mount a plate if their state doesn't issue it anymore.

 

[BTOR]

Oregon gives you two plates. Obviously, my rear has been mounted. My front sits in my Frunk.

I just purchased a SnapPlate for a 2025 Gen2. $104 with coupon. No sales tax in OR ? and it included free shipping.

I’ll throw the plate on for safe keep during my 3 week visit. It will likely come off upon my return.

 

[Hatbox_Ghoul]

lol No, if your state only uses one, then thats it. You are not applicable to the visiting state's laws for your vehicle as it is not registered there.

 

[moosetags]

We have visited California by car on several occasions. Florida has not had a front license tag since 1919. We have never had any problems not having a front tag.

Brian

 

[KBabione]

Yeah - In PA you cannot get a duplicate plate, even if the paint has peeled and it's hard to read! My wife has a custom plate with her college on it and I guess they had some QC issues when this batch of plates was made because it's all peeled and ugly. I looked into replacing it and they would, but with a new number. She didn't want a new number because hers was consecutive to one of her best friends who got her plate around the same time. Stupid state.

 

[Hatbox_Ghoul]

Yeah - In PA you cannot get a duplicate plate, even if the paint has peeled and it's hard to read! My wife has a custom plate with her college on it and I guess they had some QC issues when this batch of plates was made because it's all peeled and ugly. I looked into replacing it and they would, but with a new number. She didn't want a new number because hers was consecutive to one of her best friends who got her plate around the same time. Stupid state.

This unfortunately is not accurate.

You can replace a custom and non-custom plate via form: MV-46

https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copa...s/public/dvspubsforms/bmv/bmv-forms/mv-46.pdf

 

[PlopPlop]

You're good. Been driving in SoCal for 40 years, never had a front plate. The times I have been pulled over it was never even been noticed by the officer. Still got the tix for speeding or rolling the stop sign though.

 

[KBabione]

This unfortunately is not accurate.

You can replace a custom and non-custom plate via form: MV-46

https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copa...s/public/dvspubsforms/bmv/bmv-forms/mv-46.pdf

You just made my day! I don't know where in PA you are, but if you're ever in the Lititz area I owe you a beverage of your choice! I looked into this a couple of years ago when her plate started peeling and must have been in the wrong section. Thanks again!

 

[av8or]

I believe you are wrong about Oregon not requiring a front plate. FYI

 

[KBabione]

This unfortunately is not accurate.

You can replace a custom and non-custom plate via form: MV-46

Looking more closely at the form I found the issue...She wants to keep the same Dickinson College plate number (i.e. DC 1234) and the replacement would not be the same plate, but the next one available in the series (i.e. DC 2222). That was our issue.

 

[Runs_4_beer]

Live in Nevada and frequent California, no issues. The toll cameras get your back plate too, they'll find you.

 

[Seano]

Yup! I live here and have only had front plates on 1/2 of my cars.

 

[Eeyore]

Oregon gives you two plates. Obviously, my rear has been mounted. My front sits in my Frunk.

I just purchased a SnapPlate for a 2025 Gen2. $104 with coupon. No sales tax in OR ? and it included free shipping.

I’ll throw the plate on for safe keep during my 3 week visit. It will likely come off upon my return.

The reason Oregon "gives" you 2 plates is that the front plate IS required. Whether you install it or not is up to you. FWIW, I haven't installed my front plate.

I've been pulled over twice while driving previous cars without a front plate. Each time the law enforcement office was pretty certain that the front plate was required by law and should he feel so inclined, he could give me a ticket for not displaying it.

If you are from a state that only requires a rear plate, I don't think a 2 plate state can expect you to have a front plate if your state doesn't supply it for in-state use.

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