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 Wisconsin, state law requires that motor vehicles on public highways, streets, roads, and driveways display a rear license plate. Wisconsin is one of the states that does not mandate a front license plate; only a rear plate is required. Vehicle registration and license plates must be renewed periodically, with the renewal period typically being one year. This process often involves the payment of a vehicle tax and may include a vehicle safety inspection or emissions testing, depending on the age and type of the vehicle. If a vehicle is found without a rear license plate or with expired tags, the driver may receive a citation. In some cases, this can be considered a 'fix-it' ticket, which allows the driver to correct the issue by a specified deadline and have the ticket dismissed after verification by an authorized person, such as a police officer. Failure to correct the issue or to pay the fine can result in additional penalties, including the possibility of another ticket that affects the driver's record or even a warrant for the driver's arrest if they fail to appear in court.