All states have traffic laws that require motor vehicles on public highways, streets, roads, and driveways to have a rear license plate or tag—and most states also require a license plate on the front of a motor vehicle.

States usually require the license plates or vehicle registration to be renewed periodically—often annually and in connection with payment of a motor vehicle tax or inspection of the vehicle for safety and compliance with emissions standards.

In some states tickets or citations for no front or rear license plate or for expired plates/tags on your vehicle are known as fix-it tickets and the ticket or citation will indicate that it is a correctable violation of traffic laws. If you fix the missing-or-expired license plate problem within the required period and get the signature of an authorized person (a local police officer) the court may dismiss the ticket.

But if you fail to fix the missing-or-expired-tags problem within the required period you must pay the fine for the violation and you may be issued another ticket that will be part of your driving record. And if you fail to pay the ticket or appear in court on the hearing date the court may issue a warrant for your arrest.

In Illinois, motor vehicles are required to have a rear license plate, and most vehicles except for motorcycles, trailers, and trucks must also display a front license plate. Illinois mandates that vehicle registration and license plates be renewed periodically, with most passenger vehicles requiring annual renewal. This process often involves a fee and may include a vehicle safety inspection or emissions testing, depending on the age and type of the vehicle. If a driver in Illinois is cited for not having a front or rear license plate, or for having expired plates, it may be considered a 'fix-it' ticket. This type of ticket requires the driver to correct the issue by a specified date and have the correction verified by an authorized person, such as a police officer. If the issue is resolved and verified within the allotted time, the ticket may be dismissed. However, failure to correct the issue can result in a fine, additional tickets, and the violation may be recorded on the driver's record. Ignoring the ticket or failing to appear in court can lead to more severe consequences, including the issuance of an arrest warrant.