Do You Need A Front License Plate in Washington?
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Driving around in a new state can present its fair share of complications, and understanding license plate laws is certainly one of them. It can be difficult to keep track of which states require two plates and which only require one, but it’s vital that you know what kind of state you’re in. Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place, as we have all the information you could want on whether you need a front license plate in Washington.
Quick Answer: Yes, You Need a Front License Plate
You need a front license plate in Washington, as it is one of the many states that require you to have two license plates on your car to drive legally. However, some exceptions are made to this rule in the state of Washington for certain vehicles; we’ll get into that more later. Either way, though, we recommend having a front license plate for safety and legal reasons, as there’s no point in paying a hefty fine for driving without one when it’s so avoidable.
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What to Know About License/Registration in Washington
First and foremost, you must know how your license plate should be displayed. It’s not enough to have a front license plate; it needs to be attached to your front bumper specifically and be completely clear of any obstructions. This means that your front plate isn’t legally viable if it’s somewhere like your front windshield or if the information on it is covered by dirt and grime. Even a couple of centimeters of the word “Washington” being obstructed can lead you to being pulled over and getting hit with a fine, so make sure your plate is fully visible at all times.
Not only do you need a front license plate in Washington, but you’re also required to renew your car’s registration once every year. After you’ve done so, you’ll receive two stickers in the mail, and both have to be shown prominently on your license plate. One sticker says the month that your expiration expires, and this information will never change since it’ll expire every year. The second sticker will tell you the expiration year. Display both on your license plate, but make sure that you don’t cover up any of the plate’s information because everything needs to be visible.
Washington is one of the rare states that actually lets you apply for an exemption to the front license plate rule if your car isn’t built for it. The exemption requires that the driver inquires with their car manufacturer about getting some way to attach a front license plate to their car, such as a bracket or any other instrument. If the manufacturer provides them with one, they have to use that to attach a front plate. If the manufacturer fails to produce an instrument that will attach a front license plate, however, then the driver has the ability to apply to get a front license plate waiver and gain an exemption. Most people won’t be able to avoid having a front license plate, but this route could be worth looking into if you’re really against getting a front plate.
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What Happens If You Drive Without a Front License Plate in Washington
You need a front license plate in Washington by legal requirement, so if you drive around without one, you’re breaking the law and might get in trouble for it. In order for a police officer to pull you over in any situation, they need just cause, and seeing that you’re driving a car without a front license plate attached gives them just cause. They can then pull you over and give you a citation, usually with a fine of $200. This is a hefty fee to pay for something that’s totally avoidable, so it’s best to just get your front plate squared away immediately before this becomes a problem!
Given the fact that the police can pull you over just for not having a front license plate, this means that you’re under extra scrutiny if you don’t have one. In the event that you accidentally speed for just a few seconds, a police officer seeing you would mean that you broke multiple laws, leading to additional punishment and fines that stack on top of each other. Of course, you should always follow all driving laws, but there’s no reason to put yourself in an especially irresponsible situation.
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Why it’s Always Good to Have a Front License Plate
You need a front license plate in Washington because it’s legally required to drive without getting pulled over. Paying a fine of $200 for not having a front license plate secured would be silly, and that risk should be motivation enough to get one on your car. Even if it isn’t, it’s not the only reason why a front plate is a great idea.
Having a front license plate is, simply put, the safest way to drive. The technology in modern license plates allows beams of light to be reflected off of them, giving a huge advantage to your visibility when it’s dark out and oncoming traffic is headed your way. You’ll be in much safer hands in a car that has a front license plate, so for the wellbeing of yourself and your passengers, it’s best to have one.
Everything Else You Need to Know about Front License Plates
There are some drivers that are especially hesitant to get a front license plate attached to their front bumper because they think they might have to drill holes in their car. Most people will need a front license plate in Washington, so this isn’t enough of a reason to avoid having one. However, you can purchase an adhesive plate that sticks to your bumper (though this option won’t be for everyone as it does leave behind residue) and you can also get a magnetic mount. The state of Washington does allow for some exemptions to the front license plate rule if your car manufacturer is unwilling to help give you a way to attach a plate, so explore all your options before you damage the front of your car.
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