Front license plates could be a thing of the past

SALT LAKE CITY — Thanks to a new bill, Utah will get rid of front license plates on personal vehicles as soon as next year. The change means reduced fees unless you order a custom plate.

Front plates will still be required on commercial vehicles.

The bill’s sponsor, state Republican Sen. Dan McCay, said the goal is to save money and streamline license-plate production. Part of his pitch on the Senate floor was that Utahns would save on fees with one fewer plate.

“Any money saved is split between [the] public safety fund and gets returned to the taxpayer via reduction in the license plate fee,” McCay said.

However, there is an added fee for custom plates: $25 non-refundable processing fee, which is on top of the existing $50 application fee.

According to the bill, $1 from each plate fee will help fund more Utah Highway Patrol troopers.

McKay said the extra fee is a way to deter people from applying for offensive designs. Custom designs can be rejected in which case the driver is out the $25. The bill now awaits Gov. Spencer Cox‘s signature.

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• Could this bill be the end of registration stickers on Utah license plates?