How New Utah Law Changes Front License Plate Requirements

I just got a new vehicle and of course the dealer sent in for the new license plates that I could grace my new truck with (I went with the 'In God We Trust/United We Stand' plates).

I carefully placed the month and year stickers on the plate that would go on the back of the vehicle, then secured a screwdriver-wrench to take the placeholder off and put the plate on.

After a couple of minutes, the task was accomplished, and I grabbed the other plate and headed to the front of the truck to secure the tag on the bumper.

One problem: there was nowhere to put the plate.

No bracket. No screws. No predrilled holes. No blank spot at all, as a matter of fact.

Toyota had decided my front bumper was too pretty to mess up with a silly license plate holder.

I had heard somewhere that a front plate was not necessary in such cases, so I decided to do what every red-blooded American would do -- I Googled it.

As it turns out, a front license plate was a requirement in the state of Utah. From the Utah Highway Patrol website:

Utah law requires that every vehicle registered in Utah, other than a motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer, must have a license plate securely attached to the front and rear of the vehicle. Federal standards require that every vehicle manufactured for sale in the United States must have the capability of mounting a license plate on the front and rear of the vehicle. If you contact the vehicle dealer, they can obtain the necessary kit for mounting a front license plate.

Not only was I required to have a front plate, but the dealer has to provide a kit to make it so if the vehicle is not equipped for it.

And then came a new law.

In Utah, front license plates are no longer required for most vehicles as of January 1, 2025.

A new law, Senate Bill 45, eliminated the requirement for a front license plate, meaning vehicles only need to display a single license plate on the rear.

This change is part of a broader revision of Utah's license plate laws that also includes a new design for the plates and registration decals.

So, my project was over and I am happy.

I'm told the new law could make it more difficult for law enforcement to identify vehicles. I hope that is not the case.

But this move could save us all a lot of money and make things easier for new car owners.