What is a Utah License Plate?
The Utah Division of Motor Vehicles, part of the State Tax Commission, issues all license plates and manages vehicle registration according to the Utah Code, Title 41, Chapter 1a. County clerk offices handle actual transactions, including titling, renewals, and plate issuance.
Currently, Utah offers five standard designs: “In God We Trust,” “Life Elevated Skier,” “Life Elevated Arches,” “Off Highway,” and the limited-time “America 250” plate. Owners can choose from these options at no additional cost beyond standard registration fees.
Types of License Plates in Utah
- Standard license plates are assigned upon registration from five active designs. Replacement plates are available through the county clerk’s office.
- Over 70 special group plates fund causes, universities, and organizations. Fees vary by plate; the Utah DMV plate page lists requirements and costs for each design.
- Most standard and special group plates can be personalized for an additional fee through the DMV.
- Purple Heart plates are exempt from registration fees under Utah Code § 41-1a-1206. Disabled veteran, former prisoner of war, Pearl Harbor survivor, and Gold Star plates are also available as special group plates with specific eligibility requirements.
- Vintage vehicle plates cover cars with a model year of 1982 or older for a one-time registration fee of $40, with no annual renewal required.
The full catalog can be viewed on the Utah DMV plate page.
What Vehicles Require License Plates in Utah?
Every motor vehicle, trailer, and semitrailer operated on Utah roads must be registered according to Utah Code § 41-1a-202. Registration is annual, with six-month and 24-month registration options available for certain vehicle types. A uniform age-based fee applies in addition to registration fees, ranging from $150 for vehicles under three years old to $10 for vehicles 12 years and older.
- Passenger vehicles and light trucks (14,000 pounds or less) have one rear license plate. The base registration fee is $44 per year, plus 7surchargeaddedin2024.Countycorridorfees(10 in select counties) and air pollution control fees ($2 to $3) apply in certain jurisdictions. The uniform age-based fee is assessed separately.
- $46 per year covers the registration of motorcycles, with one rear license plate.
- Trailers and semitrailers weighing over 750 pounds are registered for $31 per year. An alternative permanent trailer plate option costs $130 according to Utah Code § 41-1a-1206.
- Electric vehicles pay a fixed alternative fuel fee of $143.25 per year (2025 rate) in addition to the standard registration fee, or owners can enroll in the UDOT road usage charge program and pay per mile driven. Plug-in hybrids pay $56.50; standard hybrids pay $21.75.
License Plate Rules in Utah
- One rear license plate is mandatory for all vehicles starting January 1, 2025. Distributed tractors and power units place their plate on the front. Utah Code § 41-1a-404 governs placement rules.
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License plates must be mounted horizontally at least 12 inches from the ground, be free of foreign materials, and maintained in a clearly legible condition. Tinted or transparent covers are prohibited. Section 41-1a-403 requires legibility from 100 feet.
- Statutory exceptions apply for towing devices, wheelchair lifts, bicycle racks, ski racks, luggage racks, and similar cargo devices installed according to manufacturer specifications.
Is Driving Around with No License Plate in Utah Illegal?
Operating a vehicle without the required license plate is illegal. A display violation under Utah Code § 41-1a-404 is classified as an infraction.
Displaying a license plate on a vehicle for which it was not issued, or creating and using a fake license plate, falls under a separate statute. Utah Code § 41-1a-1305 treats these violations as class C misdemeanors, which is a step above an infraction for mere non-display.
What is the Penalty for Driving Without a License Plate in Utah?
Chapter 1a, Part 13 of the Utah Code regulates violations related to license plates and registration. Penalties start with minor fines for infractions but escalate to misdemeanor levels with potential imprisonment for license plate fraud.
- Display violations under § 41-1a-404 are infractions carrying a fine of up to $750 according to Utah Code § 76-3-301.
- Failure to maintain a license plate in a legible condition from 100 feet under § 41-1a-403 is also an infraction with the same maximum fine of $750.
- Placing a license plate on the wrong vehicle, using a fake plate, or removing a plate from a registered vehicle under § 41-1a-1305 is a class C misdemeanor: up to 90 days in jail, up to $750 fine, or both.
- Operating without valid registration under § 41-1a-1307 is a separate offense, and unpaid registration fees become a lien on all vehicles owned by the registrant under § 41-1a-1301.