License plates (also known as vehicle registration plates or license tags) are generally rectangular metal plates issued by your state’s department of motor vehicles for the purpose of identifying your car. A license plate must be attached to the rear of your car, and in 31 states and the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.), you must also have a license plate on the front of your car. In a state or district that also requires you to display a license plate on the front of your car, your failure to do so will provide the police with probable cause to stop you and issue a citation at any time. State laws (statutes) generally provide for the specific placement of license plates, stated in minimum and maximum inches from the ground.

In New Jersey, motor vehicles are required to display license plates issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). The state mandates that a license plate be attached to the rear of the vehicle. Unlike the 31 states and the District of Columbia mentioned, New Jersey does not require a front license plate on passenger vehicles. Therefore, failure to display a front license plate in New Jersey would not provide law enforcement with probable cause to stop a vehicle. However, it is important to ensure that the rear license plate is properly mounted and clearly visible, as state statutes dictate specific requirements for the display of license plates, including their placement in relation to the ground. Violations of these requirements can result in traffic citations.