March 25, 2025 | Car Accident
If you’ve traveled around the country, you may have noticed that the vehicles in some states are fitted with both a front and back license plate. That might have left you wondering whether it’s a requirement in Pennsylvania to have a front license plate and whether it makes a difference if you’re in a car accident.
Is a Front License Plate Required in the Keystone State?
Since the late 1950s, Pennsylvania has not required regular passenger cars registered in the state to carry a front license plate. The only vehicles that still need to have both types of plates are commercial trucks, state-owned passenger vehicles, and cars owned by press photographers.
The majority of cars sold in Pennsylvania don’t have front plate holders. You always have the option, however, to add one. There are no laws prohibiting front plates.
So why do some states require front plates along with rear plates? There are a number of reasons why they can be beneficial. They tend to increase traffic safety by making it easier to find wrongdoers.
For example, front plates can make identifying a vehicle more likely in hit-and-run accidents because people at different positions can get a view of the plate.
License Plate Requirements for Passenger Vehicles
To comply with Pennsylvania law, all vehicles must have a rear license plate.
It must be:
- Positioned horizontally and not vertically
- Clearly visible to others
- Attached securely so that it doesn’t swing
- At least 12 inches from the ground
All registration plates must be in good shape. The number and letters have to be whole, without any signs of discoloration or peeling. The plate itself must still have reflectivity so that others can read it even in low light.
If your vehicle has a registration plate lamp, as many new models do, the light it emits must be white so that the plate number is visible up to 50 feet behind the car.
Will the License Plate Type Make a Difference in a Car Accident Claim?
Whether the vehicle has a back plate or both types of plates won’t make a difference in a regular car accident. It would only have an impact in hit-and-run crashes because it could help find the party that fled.
If you’ve been in a collision in Pennsylvania and suffered injuries, whether minor ones like whiplash or catastrophic ones like brain injuries, you can file a claim with your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to receive coverage for medical expenses and lost wages up to your policy limit.
If the injuries are serious and your insurance doesn’t cover your full losses, or if you have full tort insurance, you may pursue a claim against the other party’s insurance. However, you’ll have to demonstrate that the other party was negligent.
Because doing so can be complex, you should hire a car accident lawyer to represent you. With legal counsel helping you, you have a better chance of receiving the assistance you deserve. They will aggressively negotiate with insurers on your behalf.
Beginning a Claim With Legal Guidance
The moments after a collision can be highly stressful, and you may be unsure of what your next step should be. As soon as you can, contact a Pennsylvania car accident lawyer who can fight for a fair settlement amount to compensate you for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress.
Contact the Scranton Car Accident Lawyers of Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC for Help Today
For more information, contact Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC to schedule a free consultation with our experienced car accident attorneys. We proudly serve clients in Scranton, Kingston, Honesdale, Berwick, PA, and Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne Counties. We’re here to fight for your rights with trusted, experienced legal support. Let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Scranton
436 Spruce St Suite 100, Scranton, PA 18503
(570) 714-4878
Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Kingston
183 Market St #200, Kingston, PA 18704
(570) 714-4878
Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Honesdale
520 Main St, Honesdale, PA 18431
(570) 714-4878
Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Berwick
120 W Front St, Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 714-4878
