Do You Need A Front License Plate in Colorado?
Source: Pixabay
License plate laws vary from state to state, so if you’ve recently moved across the country or just bought a car for the first time in your state, it might not seem intuitive to find out what the relevant regulations are. Certain states require you to have both a front and rear license plate, while other states only require a rear one. Here, we’ll give you all the information on whether you need a front license plate in Colorado and what that means.
Quick Answer: Yes, You Need a Front License Plate
You must have a front and rear license plate in Colorado as it is a two-plate state. The law in Colorado doesn’t permit you to drive around without a license plate attached to your front bumper, and you’re at risk of paying a hefty fine if you get caught without one. For that reason, among others that we’ll get into later, you must have a front license plate on your car.
GET THE SAME INSIDER INFO THAT DEALERSHIPS USE
The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. Built using the same technology that dealerships use, we’ll show you everything you want to know about each listing - like how long it’s been on the lot, or if there are similar vehicles at a better price nearby.
What to Know About License/Registration in Colorado
The Colorado license plate regulations can be complicated, and some may not seem obvious, but people get in trouble all the time for breaking them, so you should be fully aware of the laws you have to follow.
One of the most significant rules about license plate display in Colorado that you must be sure to follow correctly is that your license plate needs to be clear and fully visible at all times. No part of the plate can be obstructed by any object or material, including the word “Colorado.” Even having the word be cut off by a few centimeters can get you in trouble and having to make a court appearance under the jurisdiction of some police officers, so it’s better not to risk it.
Another thing you have to take care of is your license plate to be visible from about fifty feet away at all times, even at night. If other drivers can’t clearly tell what your plate is saying from that far, you can get hit with a violation and a ticket and be forced to make changes to your license plate until it’s compliant with the law.
Some of these regulations may seem very particular, but it doesn’t change the fact that it is the law in Colorado, and you’ll get in trouble if you don’t follow them. Therefore, ensure your front and rear license plates are up to snuff before you hit the road, so you don’t have to worry needlessly about getting pulled over.
THE BEST USED LUXURY CARS ON THE MARKET
Buying a used or CPO luxury car is one of the smartest buys you can make - you can get a lot of car for not much money. You can pick up a three-year-old luxury car for about half of what you’d pay new. Check out this list of the best used luxury cars on the market to find the best deals.
What Happens If You Drive Without a Front License Plate in Colorado
Since you need a front license plate in Colorado, you’re asking for trouble if you drive around without one. If a police officer catches you driving with no front license plate, they’ll likely stop you and issue you a citation. This is because the police need probable cause to pull someone over and start investigating them, and the absence of a front license plate is enough probable cause. People have rumored that the police don’t care as much about front license plates anymore and won’t pull you over, but this isn’t remotely true and could get you a ticket.
It’s important to clarify that having a license plate visible from somewhere on the front of your vehicle isn’t enough. It needs to be attached to the front bumper; it can’t be in the windshield or anywhere. Breaking this rule can get you a fine of about $200, and given that this is so avoidable, there’s no reason for it to happen.
THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000
We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten.
Why It’s Always Good to Have a Front License Plate
You need a front license plate in Colorado, and the most apparent reason you should follow this rule is that it’s part of the law, and you could get into huge trouble for not following it, including having to pay fines of $200. If this somehow isn’t enough of a motivator to secure a front license plate for your vehicle, there are a few more reasons why it’s a good idea.
A huge reason you need a front license plate in Colorado is that they not only keep you legal on the road but also help keep you safe. Front license plates are designed to help other drivers stay aware of your presence on the road, especially when it’s dark. The technology in these plates is light-reflecting, so oncoming traffic’s headlights bounce off your front plate, and drivers can see you’re there. This can help prevent an accident, which you’ll be ever grateful for in a dangerous situation.
Additionally, not having a front plate means that if you do anything else that violates the law, such as speeding, you’re now actually breaking two rules, potentially leading to major consequences. Simply driving with no front license plate is legally enough for an officer to pull you over and give you a ticket, so if you’re doing anything else wrong, the penalties will stack up.
Of course, you should never break any laws while driving, as they’re there for a reason. Still, it’s silly to put yourself in an unnecessarily risky situation in case you accidentally make a mistake that can easily be corrected. The more rules you follow, the safer you’ll probably be, and having a front license plate is one such rule.
Everything Else You Need to Know about Front License Plates
Some drivers out there wish to avoid installing a front license plate because their car manufacturer didn’t include an obvious space for it, so they have to face the prospect of drilling holes into their beautiful car. This can mar the aesthetics of any vehicle, so it makes sense why drivers are hesitant to do it.
However, this doesn’t change the fact that you need a front license plate in Colorado, so no one can get away without having one. There are more options to attach front license plates without damaging your car, such as sticky adhesive plates and magnetic mounts. Hence, it’s worth exploring all possibilities, like drilling holes into the bumper.
Colorado License Plates: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to have front license plates in Colorado?
Yes. If you live in Colorado with a vehicle registered in the state, you must have license plates on both the front and back of your car.
Q: What happens if I drive without a front license plate in Colorado?
If you’re thinking of driving your car without a front license plate in Colorado, don’t! A police officer will likely pull you over and give you a ticket. It’s a class B traffic infraction with a fine ranging from $15 to $100.
Q: Can I just put my license plate on the front windshield?
Unless you have a good reason why you don’t have your front license mounted (e.g., new car owner), a police officer can pull you over and issue a fine of up to $100. The car owner’s responsibility is to mount the front license plate, and having it displayed on the windshield isn’t legal.
Q: What’s the purpose of front license plates?
Primarily, law enforcement can readily identify vehicles with both front and back license plates. It also helps with hit-and-run accidents if a bumper is left at the scene along with the front license plate.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
