New Mexico · NM · Vehicles
New Mexico: Do you need a front license plate?
Rear plate only
New Mexico requires only a rear license plate on a passenger car.
New Mexico law says the registration plate goes on the rear of the vehicle. Only road tractors and truck tractors carry their plate on the front. The state issues a single plate for an ordinary car. A 2026 bill that would have required front and rear plates starting in 2027 (SB 69) died in committee.
What the law says
The registration plate shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle for which it is issued; however, the registration plate shall be attached to the front of a road tractor or truck tractor.
Sources
- NMSA 1978, § 66-3-18(A) (FindLaw) Mirror of official text · codes.findlaw.com
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division
- Phone
- 888-683-4636
- Website
- mvd.newmexico.gov
How bordering states compare
- Arizona Rear plate onlyArizona requires only a rear license plate on passenger cars.
- Colorado Front and rear platesColorado requires passenger cars to display license plates on both the front and the rear.
- Oklahoma Rear plate onlyOklahoma requires a license plate only on the rear of a passenger car.
- Texas Front and rear platesTexas requires a passenger car to display two license plates, one on the front and one on the rear.
- Utah Rear plate onlySince January 1, 2025, Utah requires only a rear license plate and issues a single plate to most vehicles.
All 50 states for this question · Other topics in New Mexico