law on number of license plates

[larryb]

A year ago i purchased a 2006 pick up from a dealer and all they installed was one plate on the rear. anyone know the law on this. i have drive all over the state and have not been stopped but with the use of cameras will i. i should add that i live and the truck is licensed in washington. thanks

[wthr4d]

I dont know the laws specifically but from what I know it has been "accepted" to not have a front plate for a long time. also know that you should do something about the missing plate. the state issues two plates for every vehicle, I bought a truck 1 1/2 years ago and when the plates came in the dealership installed BOTH of them. If the dealership doesnt know where your lost plate is you might want to report it to the DMV.

Paul

[bkedman]

It is law to have front and back. I'm sorry I don't have time to look up the specific statute but it is the law in both OR and WA.

[Ray]

I just renewed my tags this month, and on the registration it says "Display tab on back plate only - Front plate is still required" hope that helps you out.

Ray

[Bobberman]

Oregon is front and back. WA, I have no idea..........

[veilside180sx]

Oregon is front/back and must be mounted on the bumpers of the vehicle. Placing it in plain view, such as the windshield is still illegal. The fine for that citation avg's about $150. (ask me how I know...)

Washington the last I had read was legal to only have one plate, but they were trying to change it to require both.

[Reel_Big_Fish]

Here is what I found after a quick Google search...
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.16.240

RCW 46.16.240

Attachment of plates to vehicles — Violations enumerated.

The vehicle license number plates shall be attached conspicuously at the front and rear of each vehicle for which the same are issued and in such a manner that they can be plainly seen and read at all times. However, if only one license number plate is legally issued for any vehicle such plate shall be conspicuously attached to the rear of such vehicle. Each vehicle license number plate shall be placed or hung in a horizontal position at a distance of not more than four feet from the ground and shall be kept clean so as to be plainly seen and read at all times. In cases where the body construction of the vehicle is such that compliance with this section is impossible, permission to deviate therefrom may be granted by the state patrol. It shall be unlawful to display upon the front or rear of any vehicle, vehicle license number plate or plates other than those furnished by the director for such vehicle or to display upon any vehicle any vehicle license number plate or plates which have been in any manner changed, altered, disfigured or have become illegible. License plate frames may be used on vehicle license number plates only if the frames do not obscure license tabs or identifying letters or numbers on the plates and the plates can be plainly seen and read at all times. It is unlawful to use any holders, frames, or any materials that in any manner change, alter, or make the vehicle license number plates illegible. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any vehicle unless there shall be displayed thereon valid vehicle license number plates attached as herein provided.

[2006 c 326 § 1. Prior: 1987 c 330 § 704; 1987 c 142 § 3; 1969 ex.s. c 170 § 10; 1967 c 32 § 18; 1961 c 12 § 46.16.240; prior: 1947 c 89 § 1; 1937 c 188 § 36; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 6312-36.]

[maniacmikey]

In Oregon the meter maids have started ticketing cars and trucks parked legally with no front plate. This is because of the red light cameras and the photo radar vans.

[IDWITHELD]

I was pulled over in oregon for no front plate. Sheriff was very understanding.
It must of fallen off or was stolen???

[flatlander]

Front and back in Oregon and tags must be clearly visible. I put a O.S.U. frame on my back plate that partially covered the tags, next day pulled over and warned. Don't know why the frames can be sold to the public if they are illegal.

[Jeremy]

Originally Posted by flatlander

Front and back in Oregon and tags must be clearly visible. I put a O.S.U. frame on my back plate that partially covered the tags, next day pulled over and warned. Don't know why the frames can be sold to the public if they are illegal.

OSU sells washington and oregon specific frames so that they dont cover up the tags.

[24 on/ 48 off]

Originally Posted by flatlander

Front and back in Oregon and tags must be clearly visible. I put a O.S.U. frame on my back plate that partially covered the tags, next day pulled over and warned. Don't know why the frames can be sold to the public if they are illegal.

Same reason they sell off-road lights, etc. They are for off-road and show cars. They are not street legal.

[Geemo]

A few years back we had traveled to the Oakridge area east of Eugene.

The tow vehicle we were driving had the type of tow bar that is stored on the front of the car. It had been this way for many years.

A police office in Oakridge pulled us over and gave us a warning to remove the tow bar, it was obscurring the view of our front plate.

Now when we see other tow vehicles with a tow bar on the front, we say, they better not drive through Oakridge....

[Point-of-Sale Clerk]

Oregon is front and back… the law also requires that it is readable (no mud on it)

In my early 20s the back plate fell off my yota pu while out hunting. The bolt holes in the plate had broken through. The only good holes left were the bottom holes so I reinstalled the plate up side down. Worked OK for a year until a county mounty decided he did not like my solution. I took the plate to court / pled no contest / the judge fined me $20.00 when I challenged him to show where in the rules the plate had to be right side up…
//
,,

[Pinecone]

Yup, everyone else pretty much covered it. front and back. I had an old Jetta during college, The front plate wasn't installed when I bought it (it was stored in the trunk for some reason) It had a spot on the front for a european license plate, so I thought it would be cool to have one. I had an old German License plate and put it on there, looked neat! It was there for a good three years with no problems, then I got pulled over in Lake Oswego, the cop said "what is it and why is it there?" and proceeded to tell me he could give me two tickets, one for having an un-registerd plate on the front, and one for having no Oregon plate on the front. Whoops! He let me go with a warning, and I promptly removed the German plate and put the Oregon one on.

[Oregon4x4]

I also have been pulled over for not having a front license plate. I really had no idea it had fallen off. The officer was very nice and gave me a warning.

[Herring Impaired]

Story today on the KGW website about 3000 citations for not having front plates.

Primary complaint was lost revenue to red light cameras!

[Radke]

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/storie....1933e7d9.html

current story about missing front license plates and the city of Portland.

[DAB]

I should put my Antarctica plate on my truck, that should turn some heads
DAB