Washington State Department of Licensing Knowledge Test

License tabs are only required on which part of the vehicle?

1. Front plates

2. Rear plates

3. Both front and rear plates

4. No plates required

The correct answer is: Rear plates

License tabs are required on the rear plate of a vehicle in Washington State. This is an important regulation that helps ensure vehicles are registered and identifiable while on the road. The rear plate typically displays the license tab, which indicates the vehicle's registration status and allows law enforcement to verify that it is legal to operate on public roads. The design choice in Washington State to place the license tab on the rear plate simplifies the enforcement of registration laws, as police can easily check the rear of vehicles for compliance. This also aligns with practices in various states where front plates may be optional, but the rear plate remains mandatory for identification purposes. Understanding this requirement is crucial for all drivers, as failing to display the required tab on the rear plate can result in fines or other penalties.