Q: “Lately I have noticed that many cars and trucks don’t have California license plates in the front. Does California still require front license plates?” Elizabeth Brooks of San Bernardino asks.
A: A front license plate, when issued to a driver by the Department of Motor Vehicles, is required to be on your car; this is standard for passenger cars and pickup trucks. And yes, this includes Teslas, too.
There are exceptions for certain vehicles, including trailers, motorcycles, occupational license dealers, some special-interest antique cars, and a few select others.
California Vehicle Code requires vehicles issued two license plates to display one on the front and one on the rear.
Here is the law, “(a) When two license plates are issued by the department for use upon a vehicle, they shall be attached to the vehicle for which they were issued, one in the front and the other in the rear. (b) When only one license plate is issued for use upon a vehicle, it shall be attached to the rear thereof, unless the license plate is issued for use upon a truck tractor, in which case the license plate shall be displayed in accordance with Section 4850.5.”
License plates must be securely fastened, clearly visible, not altered and easy to read.
Good news for Menifee drivers
Freedom Bridge at Bradley Road in Menifee is now open. City leaders, elected officials, staff and community members gathered on Oct. 13, to commemorate the opening of the 365-foot-long bridge.
This bridge was previously known as the Bradley Road Bridge over Salt Creek. The Menifee City Council renamed it based on a recommendation from the city’s Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee. Banners highlighting all six branches of the United States military were installed along the newly renamed Freedom Bridge to honor Menifee’s veteran and military community.
The new bridge provides reliable north/south connectivity on Bradley Road during rain, boosts safety by eliminating drivers traveling through water during a storm, and it helps ensure faster response times for first responders serving the community. The bridge now has bicycle lanes and sidewalks too.
The $16 million project was funded through a combination of federal, state, county and local sources, according to a city news release. Construction started in July 2025.
Do you commute to work in the Inland Empire? Spend a lot of time in your vehicle? Have questions about driving, freeways, toll roads or parking? If so, write or call On the Road and we’ll try to answer your questions. Please include your question or issue, name, city of residence, phone number and email address. Write ontheroad@scng.com or call 951-368-9995. Note that we may use material from letters or phone calls in future columns.