Front License Plates No Longer Required In Ohio

CLEVELAND — License plates on the front of most cars are no longer be required in Ohio.

A law authorizing the removal of front license plates was passed by the Ohio General Assembly in 2019 and went into effect on July 1.

Political supporters of the legislation argued it would reduce costs for drivers and the state, which should cut its license plate use in half. Some officials have claimed Ohio will save $1.5 million annually by removing front license plate requirements.

Not everyone is cheering the removal of the front license plate. An initiative called "Keep the Front Plate, Ohio" has gathered support from law enforcement agencies throughout the Buckeye State.

One of the supporters of the front license plate requirement is Strongsville Police Chief Mark Fender, who shared his views on social media in April 2020. He said police will have a harder time identifying a suspect's car without the front license plate. He also said the advent of home surveillance cameras will give police greater access to video that may capture front license plates.

However, rear license plates will still be required on all Ohio cars. Not displaying a license plate is a misdemeanor offense, according to News 5.

Commercial tractors will still need front and rear license plates.