Buying guide for best license plate frames
Every motor vehicle you own has to have a license plate. Depending on your state, you might even need two. While there’s no law saying you must use a license plate frame — Oklahoma is the only state where license plate frames are currently not permitted — most of us use one.
Buying a license plate frame should be a simple task. However, because the law varies from state to state, you have to be careful about buying one. A license plate frame that’s legal in New Jersey might not be legal in Pennsylvania. Further, just because you purchase a license plate frame in your home state, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will comply with state laws. When purchasing one online, the task can be even more challenging.
If you’re considering buying a license plate frame, reading through a comprehensive guide on the topic can be useful. At the very least, it could keep you from getting a citation. It can also be helpful to look over a top-five list of options so you get an idea of what you can expect to get for your money.
How to buy the best license plate frame
Do I really need a license plate frame?
License plates are intended to be permanent: you get one (or two) when you get your vehicle, and they’re supposed to last for as long as you own that vehicle. Although a license plate is made out of a sheet of aluminum, it can bend or deteriorate over time. A license plate frame can help protect your license plate from some of the normal wear and tear of driving. It also puts a defining edge around the license plate so it looks nicer on your vehicle.
There’s only one state where a license plate cover is currently not permitted: Oklahoma. In all other states, putting a license plate frame on your vehicle is legal, as long as it meets the specifications set forth by that state.
How many license plate frames do I need?
Vehicle registration is handled at the state level. This can make the laws confusing, because each state has a different set of regulations. When it comes to where your license plates must be displayed on your vehicle, for instance, there are only 20 states that allow you to have just a rear license plate. These states are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. If you live in any other state, you must have a front license plate. If your state requires a front license plate, that means you would require two license plate frames.
What legal issues could I run into with license plate frames?
Besides knowing if you need a front license plate, there are two things you have to be aware of when purchasing a license plate frame: covers and visibility.
Covers: A license plate not only needs to be visible to officers of the law, but it also has to be visible to traffic cameras. The laws regarding whether or not your license plate can be covered vary from state to state. It’s important to check with the department of transportation in your state to learn what you can do.
In some states, there are no covers permitted at all, so you can’t use a license plate frame that has a cover of any sort. In other states, you can have a cover over your license plate as long as that cover is clear. There are other states that may permit tinted license plate covers as long as the plate is clearly visible at all times.
Visibility: This is where you can accidentally get into trouble. If you purchase a frame that’s too thick and it obscures some of the information on your license plate, this is illegal. The rule of thumb is that all information on your license plate must be unobstructed at all times.
Because there are now a number of simple apps that can unblur photos, if you want to protect your personal information, blurring your license plate in a photo is not enough — it’s best to black it out.
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License plate frame features
Mounting holes
License plate frames can have either two holes at the top or two holes at the top and two at the bottom for a total of four mounting holes. The two holes at the bottom aren’t always necessary, but if your vehicle supports them, it’s a better option.
Frame thickness
The thickness of the frame is where you have to be careful. If the frame obscures any information on the license plate that your state requires to be visible, you may receive a citation.
Materials
A license plate frame is exposed to the elements. It must be made of materials that won’t rust or corrode under these conditions. Typical materials are aluminum, stainless steel with a chrome coating, carbon fiber, or silicone.
Covering
A covering helps protect your license plate from road grime, but it isn’t legal in all states. Check to see if a covering is legal in your state before purchasing a frame with this feature.
Anti-rattle hardware
Anti-rattle hardware can come in handy if your license plate rattles. These washers help hold the license plate tight and cushion vibrations.
Anti-theft screws
Instead of a Phillips head screw or a flathead screw, an anti-theft screw has a star in the center to make it hard to remove with common tools.
Light
You can buy a high-end license plate frame that has LED lights. In some instances, this is purely decorative, while in others, it makes the plate easier to see in less than ideal conditions.
Design
License plate frames can be nondescript or they can show off some aspect of your individuality. If you want to express yourself, choose a license plate frame that gives you that opportunity.
DID YOU KNOW?
While the driver of the vehicle must be licensed, the vehicle must be registered. Therefore, the plate attached to your vehicle is actually a registration plate, not a license plate.
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How much do license plate frames cost?
Inexpensive
For roughly $7 to $14, you can get a single license plate frame. These models are basic in design but suitable for most users. Alternatively, you may find some budget license plate holder sets — one for the rear and one for the front of the vehicle.
Mid-range
In the $15 to $25 price range, license plate frames are more decorative — you might even have the ability to add a personalized message to the frame. Unless you’re getting something extra-special, like rhinestones, these are all two-packs of license plate frames.
Expensive
If you want a custom frame, something with LED lights, or other extravagant features, it will likely cost more than $25. Some lighted frames can cost as much as $50 or $60.
While there are a few states that contract out license plate manufacturing to private companies, the majority are still made in correctional institutions.
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Tips
- Consider the color and style of your vehicle. A license plate frame is an accessory to your vehicle. The wrong shape, style, or color can detract from the overall appeal. Consider a license plate cover that makes your vehicle look better.
- Clean your license plate and your license plate frame. Whenever you wash and wax your car, do the same for your license plate and license plate frame.
- Use screw caps. If you’d like your vehicle to have an even classier look, consider using screw caps to cover old or rusted screws. In some instances, this may also be a theft deterrent.
FAQ
Q. Is it hard to install a license plate frame?
A. Not at all. In most instances, all you need to do is unscrew the two screws that are holding on the license plate. After that, line up the license plate frame and the license plate over those same two holes and put the screws back in. Some license plates may have four holes instead of two, but the process is the same: unscrew the four screws, add the license plate frame and the license plate, and put the screws back in.
Q. Do license plate frames deter crime?
A. While some manufacturers will tell you that a license plate frame deters crime, in most cases, this isn’t true. Most license plate frames attach to a vehicle the same way that a license plate does, so they won’t deter anyone who is interested in stealing your license plate. There are some models, however, that use different screws so they can’t be removed with a typical flathead or Phillips head screwdriver. If this is the case and the criminal doesn’t have the proper tools on hand, it’s possible that this type of license plate cover could cause your car to be passed over.
Q. Can I get decorative license plate frames?
A. The answer to this question depends on your state’s laws. If the license plate frame makes the license plate difficult to read or covers any of the vital information, chances are it won’t be legal.
Q. How do I stop a license plate frame from rattling?
A. If your license plate is rattling within the frame, the first thing to check is if the screws are tight. You don’t want to overtighten them because they’re often mounted in plastic retainers; just make sure they’re firm. If they are, consider buying anti-rattle hardware or placing a thin piece of foam or rubber between the license plate and the frame to absorb the vibrations. If you still have an annoying rattle, look for an adhesive that’s safe for use with vehicles.
Q. What size screws do I need for a license plate frame?
A. The most common screw size used to fasten license plates in the U.S. is 1/4 inch #14 by 3/4 inch screws. The first measurement, 1/4 inch, is the diameter of the screw. The second measurement, #14, is the thread pitch or the distance between the threads. The third measurement, 3/4 inch, is the length of the screw. These are self-tapping screws that fasten into a nylon screw retainer.
