How Many License Plates? (law, garage, designs)

[Marcy1210]

I registered my car for the first time in AZ and told them I wanted a "vanity" plate. That was fine. I ordered it. In the meantime, I was giving a regular license plate. One plate. For the back of the car. Like everyone else has. In AZ, anyway--not to be confusing, as most states require a front and back plate.

But, that's where I'm now confused. I got my "vanity" plate--a Conserving Wildlife plate, only I got two plates. I don't know if that's in case I lose one, or if I need to display two plates--one on the front and one on the back. There were no directions in the envelope. I went to servicearizona.com and couldn't find anything about receiving and displaying two license plates.

So, my question is: do I need two license plates on my car and why? Other designs don't require two plates. There doesn't seem to be any consistency between one design and others. Seeing as how confusion seems to be my natural state of being, this does not help one bit.

[Nate4635]

I had the same question - and roughly the same experience.

I asked a guy at work, and he said that if you have vanity plates, you need a front and a back. That sounded weird to me, and still does i suppose, but why else would they send you 2? Even if you lost a regular plate, they'd still have to make a special one for you, so the 'spare' guess is kinda out.


Either way, i thought it was silly, and only put the rear on. Since then I've taken notice of vanity plates, and 90% of them only have the rear on.

Ive never seen it in writing, or by anyone official that you need both front and rear with vanity plates however.

[Boompa]

If you are issued two plates put them front and rear, Special Plates, Veteran Plates and many others come in two's and you are required to display both. The old tag is no longer any good, however, hold on to it in case you want to go back

[sierraAZ]

I don't know about you, vain peeps. The rest of us have one plate.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Marcy1210

I registered my car for the first time in AZ and told them I wanted a "vanity" plate. That was fine. I ordered it. In the meantime, I was giving a regular license plate. One plate. For the back of the car. Like everyone else has. In AZ, anyway--not to be confusing, as most states require a front and back plate.

But, that's where I'm now confused. I got my "vanity" plate--a Conserving Wildlife plate, only I got two plates. I don't know if that's in case I lose one, or if I need to display two plates--one on the front and one on the back. There were no directions in the envelope. I went to servicearizona.com and couldn't find anything about receiving and displaying two license plates.

So, my question is: do I need two license plates on my car and why? Other designs don't require two plates. There doesn't seem to be any consistency between one design and others. Seeing as how confusion seems to be my natural state of being, this does not help one bit.

Simple answer, Marcy . . . only the rear plate is required.

The "PLP Two Plate Syndrome" was explained to me many years ago . . . it didn't make sense then and I doubt if it would make sense today.

Since my PLP's are the vehicle's names, I hang the extra plate on the garage wall just to make them feel "at home" and more comfortable.

By the way, Arizona is not the only state requiring only a rear plate.

! ! ! ! ! !

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Boompa

If you are issued two plates put them front and rear, Special Plates, Veteran Plates and many others come in two's and you are required to display both. The old tag is no longer any good, however, hold on to it in case you want to go back

The law does not require that both plates be placed. Here it is:

28-2354. License plates; attachment; civil penalty
A. A person shall display the license plate or plates as follows:
1. For a motor vehicle, motorcycle, trailer or semitrailer, on the rear.
2. Except as provided in paragraph 3 of this subsection, for a vehicle for which two license plates are issued, the vehicle owner shall display either of the following:
(a) One plate on the rear.
(b) One plate on the front and one plate on the rear.
3. For a vehicle for which two special license plates are issued pursuant to section 28-2409, [disability plates] one plate on the rear of the vehicle and one plate on the operator's wheelchair carrier or wheelchair lift when it is attached to the vehicle.

Here's the list of plates, it says some are issued in pairs and some are not, it doesn't say why.
http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/vehicle/mvdplate.asp

[43north87west]

One plate is required; the rear.

I presume that two plates are available in case the owner wants the vanity plate to show from both sides of the car. I don't even have a mount for a front plate (and I think front plates ruin the looks of the vehicle anyway) so it is nice not to be required to mount a front plate.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by 43north87west

One plate is required; the rear.

I presume that two plates are available in case the owner wants the vanity plate to show from both sides of the car. I don't even have a mount for a front plate (and I think front plates ruin the looks of the vehicle anyway) so it is nice not to be required to mount a front plate.

But, as noted above, two plates are not available for any style plate at the car owner's option. Some plates are only issued as singles, based on MVD's own decisions.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Since my PLP's are the vehicle's names

I keep hoping to see Doophus on the streets - he's too cute!

Kinda reminds me of Truly Nolen's cars.

[Greatday]

There are two VANITY plates - one front and one rear.

There is only ONE "regular" plate - on the rear