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 Ohio, motor vehicles are required to display a rear license plate, and unlike some states, Ohio does not require a front license plate. Ohio law mandates that vehicle registration and license plates be renewed periodically, which is typically on an annual basis. This renewal process often involves a fee and may include a vehicle safety inspection or emissions testing, depending on the vehicle's age and type. If a driver in Ohio is cited for not having a rear license plate or for having expired tags, it may be considered a 'fix-it' ticket. This means that the driver can rectify the issue by attaching the required rear license plate or renewing the expired tags and then having the correction verified by an authorized person, such as a police officer. If the correction is made within the specified time frame and properly documented, the court may dismiss the ticket. However, failure to correct the issue within the required period can result in fines and the issuance of another ticket, which could affect the driver's record. Additionally, ignoring the ticket or failing to appear in court could lead to a warrant for the driver's arrest.