Though there are certain states in the U.S. that only require you to have one license plate, not all states have these same rules. Some states require drivers to have both a front and rear license plate before they can legally operate their car. Prior to getting out on the road in your nice, new car, it’s essential that you understand the laws in your area so that you can follow them and drive without worry. Wisconsinites need look no further for the license plate laws in their state, as we’ll tell you everything you need to know about whether you need a front license plate in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin is firmly on the list of the two-plate states in the country. This means that you do need a front license plate in Wisconsin, as well as a rear one. It’s unwise to go driving around Wisconsin without a front license plate, as that’s an easy way to get pulled over and get hit with a fine. Installing a front license plate is not only simple but also a statewide regulation, so make sure to have yours good to go before you drive off.
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There are several things to know about license plate laws in Wisconsin, and it’s important that you follow all of them so that you don’t encounter any problems.
One major stipulation is that all the information on your license plate must be fully and completely visible at all times. Nothing can be cut off or obstructed by any piece of material whatsoever, whether it’s your car’s bumper, a sticker, dirt and grime from the road, or anything in between. Some drivers install guards around their license plates to protect them from debris, which is a smart idea and legally viable, but these guards can’t cover up any of your license plates either. It’s particularly important that you make sure the word “Wisconsin” is not cut off at all, as even a couple of centimeters being obstructed can result in a fine.
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Since it’s against the law to drive without a front license plate in the state of Wisconsin, you’re likely to get pulled over and receive a citation. Police officers require some amount of just cause in order to pull over drivers, and noticing that you don’t have a front plate gives them enough cause. The typical fee for a citation for this offense is roughly $200, and given that this is such an avoidable fine, there’s no reason to put yourself in a situation where you have to shell out hundreds of dollars.
Another potential consequence of driving without a front license plate is getting punished extra hard for small mistakes. For example, if you suddenly notice you have a headlight out and are attempting to go get it fixed right away but also don’t have a front license plate, you can get pulled over and get in trouble for both offenses at once. You should always drive as safely as possible, of course, but it also isn’t sensible to open yourself up to extreme amounts of scrutiny by not having a front license plate.
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There’s one glaring reason why you need a front license plate in Wisconsin that makes it a great idea to always have one: it’s the law, and you could face a hefty fine if you break it. Given that driving without a front license plate is enough of an offense that a police officer can easily pull you over and make you pay $200, it should be clear why it’s a good idea to have a front plate. Beyond this, though, there are some other important reasons why it’s worth having one.
A universally applicable reason why you should have an unobstructed front plate is that it helps keep you safe. The technology in license plates is designed to reflect headlight beams so that oncoming traffic can see your car and be aware of your presence. This is especially important when it’s dark out as it gets much harder to see other drivers, and at high speeds, this can be a dangerous situation. Therefore, it’s always smart to have a front license plate for the safety of yourself and others on the road. Anything that could potentially help prevent an accident from happening is worth having, right?
There are some drivers out there who are especially averse to having front license plates on their car, and the main reason is that they don’t want to mess with the way their car looks. Some vehicles out there don’t come standard with an obvious place for plates to be installed, requiring drivers to drill holes into their front bumpers to allow a plate to be attached. Understandably, many drivers would rather not do this because it affects the way their car looks. This doesn’t mean, however, that they should choose to simply not have a front license plate.
You need a front license plate in Wisconsin because of the law, but there are other options available that don’t involve drilling holes in your car. They now make adhesive license plates that stick right to the front of your car without you having to drill anything at all. Of course, not everyone will be comfortable with the sticky residue left behind by an adhesive plate. Those people can then opt for a magnetic mount instead! These simply involve attaching the mount to the front bumper magnetically (this doesn’t leave any residue behind at all, which is great) and then installing your front license plate there. With recent developments in license plate technology, there are more options than ever for you to install a front license plate without ruining your car’s exterior. Make sure you have a properly attached front plate so that you can be safe on the road and drive without worry.
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