Two Plates Are Better Than One: A Friendly North Dakota Reminder

I am laughing a bit while I write this, because only in North Dakota could something as ordinary as a license plate spark a friendly reminder from the Highway Patrol. Around here, we’ve always had two plates on our vehicles—one on the back, one on the front. Seems simple enough, right? Yet, every so often, folks try to “forget” about that front plate, maybe to show off a shiny grill or avoid drilling holes in a bumper.

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Two Plates, No Excuses: Why North Dakota Drivers Need Both

According to the Inforum, when the NDHP says “use both plates,” they mean it—two plates really does mean two plates. Deputies won’t let a standard car slide with just one. And sorry, telling them the front plate is “safely stashed in the trunk” isn’t going to cut it.

Highway Patrol Capt. Bryan Niewind explained that having both plates isn’t just about keeping things neat—it’s about safety. From Amber Alerts to robbery investigations, those extra digits on the front of your car make it easier to track down suspects and keep communities safe.

Read More: Scam Alert: North Dakota Highway Patrol Isn’t Texting You Fines or Asking for Donations

Registration Tabs 101: Keep ‘Em Visible, Keep ‘Em Current

And let’s not forget about those little registration tabs. They might seem like stickers you casually slap on, but Niewind compared them to bingo cards—you’ve got to keep them current and visible. Old ones have a bad habit of piling up, curling off, or just looking like a kindergarten art project gone wrong. His advice? Grab a razor blade, scrape off the old, stick on the new, and call it good.

One more thing: license plates should be visible—not hiding under snow, mud, or covered by plastic shields. In short, keep those plates clean, current, and doubled up. After all, in North Dakota, two really is better than one.