All states have traffic laws that require motor vehicles on public highways, streets, roads, and driveways to have a rear license plate or tag—and most states also require a license plate on the front of a motor vehicle.

States usually require the license plates or vehicle registration to be renewed periodically—often annually and in connection with payment of a motor vehicle tax or inspection of the vehicle for safety and compliance with emissions standards.

In some states tickets or citations for no front or rear license plate or for expired plates/tags on your vehicle are known as fix-it tickets and the ticket or citation will indicate that it is a correctable violation of traffic laws. If you fix the missing-or-expired license plate problem within the required period and get the signature of an authorized person (a local police officer) the court may dismiss the ticket.

But if you fail to fix the missing-or-expired-tags problem within the required period you must pay the fine for the violation and you may be issued another ticket that will be part of your driving record. And if you fail to pay the ticket or appear in court on the hearing date the court may issue a warrant for your arrest.

In Montana (MT), state law requires that motor vehicles have a rear license plate, and unlike some states, Montana does not require a front license plate on passenger vehicles. License plates and vehicle registrations must be renewed periodically, with most passenger vehicles requiring annual renewal. Renewal often involves payment of a vehicle tax and may include a vehicle safety inspection or emissions testing, depending on the age and type of the vehicle. If a driver in Montana is cited for not having a rear license plate or for having expired tags, it may be considered a correctable violation, commonly referred to as a 'fix-it ticket.' To resolve such a ticket, the driver must correct the issue within a specified period and provide proof, such as a signature from a local police officer, to the court. If the issue is corrected and verified within the allotted time, the court may dismiss the ticket. However, failure to address the violation within the required timeframe can result in fines and additional penalties, including the possibility of another ticket that could affect the driver's record. Ignoring the ticket or failing to appear in court may lead to more severe consequences, such as the issuance of a warrant for the driver's arrest.