Two-Plate Law

We, the Undersigned, petition the State of South Dakota to revoke the current law requiring the display of a front license plate on passenger vehicles.
We support the current and future licensing fee structure, but ask that the law reflect that a front license plate is no longer required. We believe that there are significant benefits in not requiring front license plates and our reasons for this belief are briefly summarized in the paragraphs below.

First, eliminating the need for a front license plate will significantly reduce the state costs associated with production, storage, and shipping.

Second, a front license plate restricts the performance of passenger vehicles. Modern cars are no longer being designed with front plates in mind. Installing the mounting brackets that are necessary to hold the plates interfere with the cars' aerodynamics, often get damaged during the car-washing process and also cause a devaluation of Collectors Edition or other such Limited Edition vehicles when required to drill or otherwise modify the front bumper.

Third, unnecessary damage is sustained from minor bumper-to-bumper collisions, because the front mounting brackets on passenger cars can cause cracks and abrasions to the rear bumpers of the cars that they hit.

Finally, police officers will be more productive in stopping dangerous motor vehicle violations such as drunk driving, reckless driving, speeding, racing, etc., since their time will not be compromised by a South Dakota motorist who simply did not have a front license plate on display.

Law enforcement officials might be opposed to a measure abolishing the front license plate requirement, as they might believe that losing the extra plate will make it more difficult for them to do their jobs in the best possible manner. However, in the 20 or more states that have abolished the front license plate requirement, there is no evidence of a decline in public safety as a result of the plate removal.

We the Voters and General Public of South Dakota urge you, the law making officials, to remove this law from enforcement. As stated above, there are numerous benefits to no longer requiring a front plate on motor vehicles.

Lastly, We the Voters and General Public of South Dakota are appreciative of the Law Enforcement Officers and Law Making Officials of this great state and will continue to support them in their endeavor to make this state an even better place to live. We hope that we can come to an agreement on this topic that will suit all parties concerned.