Ohio: Do you need a front license plate?
Ohio requires only a rear license plate on a passenger car, since July 1, 2020.
Ohio used to require front and rear plates. Since July 1, 2020, only a rear plate is required, and the BMV issues one plate by default. Owners who want two plates can ask for them. Commercial tractors display their plate on the front.
What the law says
Subject to section 4503.211 of the Revised Code, no person who is the owner or operator of a motor vehicle shall fail to display in plain view on the rear of the motor vehicle a license plate that displays the distinctive number and registration mark assigned to the motor vehicle by the director of public safety, including any county identification sticker and any validation sticker when required by and issued under sections 4503.19 and 4503.191 of the Revised Code.
Sources
- Ohio Rev. Code § 4503.21(A)(1) Official · codes.ohio.gov
- Ohio Rev. Code § 4503.19(A)(2) Official · codes.ohio.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
- Phone
- 844-644-6268
- Website
- bmv.ohio.gov
How bordering states compare
- Indiana Rear plate onlyIndiana requires only a rear license plate on a passenger car.
- Kentucky Rear plate onlyKentucky requires only a rear license plate on a passenger car.
- Michigan Rear plate onlyMichigan requires only a rear license plate on passenger cars.
- Pennsylvania Rear plate onlyPennsylvania issues a single plate for a passenger car, and it goes on the rear.
- West Virginia Rear plate onlyWest Virginia requires only a rear license plate on passenger cars.