Colorado requires a front license plate on most vehicles. Under Colorado Revised Statute § 42-3-202, every self-propelled vehicle registered in the state must display two plates, one on the front and one on the rear, unless it falls within a short list of exemptions. Driving without a required front plate is a Class B traffic infraction carrying a $15 fine plus a $6 surcharge.1Justia. Colorado Revised Statutes Section 42-3-202 – Number Plates Furnished to Be Attached – Penalty2Justia. Colorado Revised Statutes Section 42-4-1701 – Penalties
Which Vehicles Only Need a Rear Plate
Section 42-3-202 exempts a specific list from the two-plate rule. Only the rear plate is required on:
- Motorcycles and autocycles
- Street rod vehicles
- Trailers, semitrailers, and other towed vehicles
- Special mobile machinery
If your vehicle isn’t on that list, you need two plates, whether or not it came from the factory with a front mounting bracket.1Justia. Colorado Revised Statutes Section 42-3-202 – Number Plates Furnished to Be Attached – Penalty
How the Front Plate Must Be Mounted
Both plates must be fastened securely enough to prevent swinging, and both must stay free of dirt, mud, or anything else that makes the numbers hard to read. The mounting rules differ by position. The rear plate has to sit horizontally at least 12 inches off the ground, measured from the bottom of the plate. The front plate has to be displayed horizontally in the location designated by the vehicle manufacturer.1Justia. Colorado Revised Statutes Section 42-3-202 – Number Plates Furnished to Be Attached – Penalty
That manufacturer-designated spot is usually the indented area or bracket on the front bumper. If your vehicle didn’t ship with a front bracket, which is common on some European and Tesla models, you’ll need an aftermarket bracket that keeps the plate horizontal and roughly where the manufacturer intended.
What a Missing Front Plate Really Costs
The fine itself is small. Colorado’s penalty schedule in § 42-4-1701 sets the § 42-3-202 violation at $15 with a $6 surcharge.2Justia. Colorado Revised Statutes Section 42-4-1701 – Penalties It’s an equipment violation, not a moving violation, so no points are assessed against your driver’s license.
The stop is the real cost. A missing front plate is a primary offense, meaning an officer needs no other justification to pull you over, and once you’re stopped everything else about your vehicle and paperwork is in view. Some courts will dismiss the charge if you correct the problem before your court date, though a small administrative fee may still apply.
Plate Covers, Frames, and Obstruction
Colorado treats hiding a plate more seriously than not having one. Using any device or substance that makes your plate unreadable by automated systems, including tinted covers, smoked shields, or reflective sprays, is a Class A traffic infraction carrying a $100 fine, the highest tier in the statute.1Justia. Colorado Revised Statutes Section 42-3-202 – Number Plates Furnished to Be Attached – Penalty
Decorative frames are fine as long as they don’t cover any part of the plate number, letters, registration sticker, or state name. The practical test: if a toll or red-light camera can’t read every character, the frame is a problem. Dirt buildup is treated the same way. You’re responsible for keeping plates legible regardless of road conditions.1Justia. Colorado Revised Statutes Section 42-3-202 – Number Plates Furnished to Be Attached – Penalty
Out-of-State Drivers and New Purchases
The two-plate rule applies to vehicles registered in Colorado. If you’re visiting from a state that doesn’t require a front plate, your home-state registration governs and you don’t need to add one for a trip through Colorado.
If you just bought a vehicle in Colorado, you have 60 days from the date of purchase to register it and get your permanent plates.3Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. Expiring Temporary Tags Once your permanent plates arrive, both go on the vehicle. Driving with only the rear plate mounted, front plate still in the trunk, is the same violation as not having one at all.
Replacing a Lost or Stolen Plate
If a plate is lost or stolen, complete the DR 2283 Lost or Stolen License Plate/Permit Affidavit and bring it to your county motor vehicle office. Replacement fees vary by plate type; specialty and historical plates cost $25 or more, and standard plate fees are assessed alongside your regular registration taxes.4Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. Standard License Plates Some plate transactions, including ordering personalized plates and replacing existing ones, can be handled through the DMV’s myDMV online portal, though not every plate type is available that way.5Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. License Plates Driving with a missing plate while you wait for a replacement still counts as a violation, so handle it at the counter before you’re handling it at the roadside.