Kansas requires most passenger vehicles to display one license plate mounted on the rear of the vehicle. License plate laws are established under Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A.) Chapter 8 regulates how plates must be displayed, illuminated, and maintained. State law also restricts license plate covers, decorative frames, and any object that could make a plate difficult to read.
Rear License Plate Requirements
Unlike many states, Kansas does not require passenger vehicles to display a front license plate. Drivers are only required to maintain one properly mounted rear plate that remains visible and legible at all times.
Does Kansas require a front license plate?
No. Kansas is a rear-license-plate-only state for standard passenger vehicles.
Only one license plate is issued for most passenger vehicles, and it must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle. Drivers moving to Kansas from states that require two license plates may remove the front plate after registering their vehicle in Kansas.
Some commercial vehicles, trailers, or specialty registrations may have different display requirements.
Where must the license plate be mounted?
Kansas requires the rear license plate to be securely fastened to the rear exterior of the vehicle in a horizontal position.
The plate must remain plainly visible and may not swing, tilt, or hang in a manner that reduces readability. Mounting the plate inside a rear window or another non-approved location does not satisfy Kansas law.
License Plate Covers and Frames
Kansas permits certain license plate accessories, but they cannot interfere with the visibility of the registration plate. Any product that hides, distorts, or reduces the readability of the plate may result in a traffic citation.
Are tinted license plate covers legal in Kansas?
No. Kansas prohibits tinted, smoked, opaque, or reflective license plate covers that reduce the visibility, readability, or reflectivity of the plate.
Even transparent covers may violate the law if they create glare or make the plate difficult to read in daylight or at night. Anti-camera sprays, coatings, films, and similar products intended to interfere with plate identification are also prohibited.
Are license plate frames legal?
Yes. Decorative license plate frames are legal provided they do not obscure any information printed on the plate.
Frames must not cover the state name, registration sticker, expiration decal, or any letters and numbers displayed on the license plate. Before installing a frame, drivers should ensure the entire plate remains clearly visible.
License Plate Display Rules
Kansas law requires license plates to remain clean, securely mounted, and easy to identify. Drivers are responsible for ensuring nothing interferes with the visibility of the registration plate.
What counts as a license plate obstruction?
A license plate is considered obstructed whenever any object, material, or condition prevents it from being clearly read.
Common examples include tinted or reflective covers, decorative frames that hide identifying information, excessive dirt or mud, bent or damaged plates, and anti-camera sprays or coatings. Keeping the plate clean and unobstructed reduces the likelihood of traffic stops.
Can you alter or modify a Kansas license plate?
No. Kansas law prohibits altering, painting, bending, cutting, drilling through, or otherwise modifying an official license plate.
If a plate becomes damaged, faded, or unreadable, it should be replaced through your county treasurer’s motor vehicle office.
Rear License Plate Light Requirements
Kansas requires every registered vehicle to have a functioning light that illuminates the rear license plate during nighttime operation. This requirement helps ensure the plate remains visible to law enforcement and other motorists after dark.
Does Kansas require a rear license plate light?
Yes. The rear license plate must be illuminated by a white light whenever the vehicle’s headlights are in use.
The light must make the plate clearly readable from a distance of at least 50 feet. A burned-out or malfunctioning plate light may result in an equipment violation.
Registration Sticker Rules
Kansas issues annual registration stickers that indicate a vehicle’s registration is current. Drivers should regularly inspect the sticker to ensure it remains valid and properly attached.
What are Kansas’ registration sticker requirements?
Kansas requires the current registration sticker to be displayed on the license plate in the location designated by your county treasurer.
Operating a vehicle with an expired, missing, counterfeit, or improperly displayed registration sticker may result in a traffic citation and additional registration penalties.
Kansas License Plate Violation Fines
Kansas treats most license plate violations as traffic or equipment offenses. The exact penalty depends on the nature of the violation and is determined by the court handling the citation.
What is the fine for a license plate violation?
Kansas law establishes the requirements for displaying license plates, while local courts determine the penalties for violations. The table below summarizes common offenses.
| Violation | Possible Consequence |
|---|---|
| Obstructed or covered license plate | Traffic offense |
| Missing or improperly displayed rear plate | Traffic offense |
| Illegal license plate frame | Traffic offense |
| Non-functioning rear plate light | Equipment violation |
| Altered or unreadable license plate | Traffic offense |