License plates (also known as vehicle registration plates or license tags) are generally rectangular metal plates issued by your state’s department of motor vehicles for the purpose of identifying your car. A license plate must be attached to the rear of your car, and in 31 states and the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.), you must also have a license plate on the front of your car. In a state or district that also requires you to display a license plate on the front of your car, your failure to do so will provide the police with probable cause to stop you and issue a citation at any time. State laws (statutes) generally provide for the specific placement of license plates, stated in minimum and maximum inches from the ground.

In Ohio, state law requires that vehicles display license plates issued by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). Ohio is one of the states that mandates a license plate on both the front and rear of most types of vehicles. The plates must be securely fastened so as not to swing and must not be covered by any part of the vehicle or by any material that obstructs their visibility. The rear plate must be illuminated to make it visible from a distance of 50 feet during nighttime. Failure to display a front or rear license plate where required, or failure to maintain the plate's visibility, can result in a traffic stop and citation. Specific placement requirements, such as the height from the ground, are detailed in Ohio's state statutes and regulations, and drivers are expected to comply with these rules to avoid penalties.