The US state of Idaho has become the first state to remove the requirement for front license plates on cars that do not have a factory-installed front license plate bracket. This amendment, added to Senate Bill 1180, July 2025 With this decision, vehicle owners without a special mounting point will now be able to drive with just their rear license plate without having to drill holes in their bumpers.
EVs and Hybrids Affected, Police Concerned
This regulation is seen as a practical step that acknowledges the current state of automotive design. According to the Department of Vehicle Registration (DMV), new models, especially hybrid and electric vehiclesIt is noteworthy that the vehicles are increasingly coming with smoother nose designs and do not leave space for license plates. Dealers are reporting that approximately 50% of the vehicles in stock 20 percent It states that there is no factory bracket.
However, this decision has raised concerns among law enforcement. Police say that without a front license plate, vehicles will be harder to detect with the naked eye or through traffic cameras. Furthermore, the law change prevents the removal of vehicles already equipped with the bracket.
Conscious Separation from the Mainstream
While 29 states across the US continue to require front license plates, Idaho's approach stands out as a deliberate departure from mainstream policy. The state will still issue two license plates to all vehicles, but owners will be given the option to opt out of the second plate.
This exemption is for those who have been fighting front plate placement for years Dodge Charger, Tesla, Alfa Romeo Giulia and Mazda MX-5 This provides significant convenience for buyers of design-focused models like the . Buyers in Idaho can officially forego the aesthetic compromise caused by the front license plate on their new vehicles by requesting that the bracket not be installed by the dealer.
