California License Plate Display Law — 2025 Guide
California requires both front and rear license plates on most passenger vehicles.
The Law at a Glance
Recent Changes
California began a digital license plate pilot in Sacramento in 2018, the first U.S. state to do so.
State-Specific Notes
Cal. Vehicle Code §11713.17 makes it illegal to sell a new car without a front plate bracket unless the buyer signs a waiver.
Plate Design Details
1ABC123 — one digit, three letters, three digitsLetter Exclusions
I, O, and Q are only used between two other letters (e.g., 7PIE123). Not at the start or end of the alphabetic block.
Historical Plates Still Valid
California's plate history: yellow on black (1963–1969), yellow on blue (1969–1980), 1ABC234 (1980–1987), 'The Golden State' (1983–1987), blue on white with red embossed state name (1987–1995), then screened (1995–2011), and 'Sesquicentennial – 150 Years' (1998–2000) — all earlier plates remain valid.
Notable Facts
California Vehicle Code §11713.17 makes it illegal to sell a new car without a front license plate mounting bracket unless the buyer signs a written acknowledgment. In 2018, California began a digital license plate pilot in Sacramento — the first U.S. state to allow battery-powered electronic display plates as a paid optional alternative.
How atroq Frames Stay Compliant in California
atroq frames in California are engineered to comply with all display requirements. The frame's recessed sticker windows keep renewal stickers visible. The frame's thickness does not obscure the alphanumeric serial, state name, or the issuing jurisdiction. atroq's universal mounting fits California's standard 6 × 12 inch passenger plates. Since California requires both plates, customers typically order frames in pairs.
Design your California-compliant frame
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