All 50 states within the United States of America have their own vehicle and traffic laws. Within them they all require license plates. While there are federal laws that direct them some, each state does things their own way, and maintain jurisdiction within their own borders. Most states also use the plates and registration as a means to collect some taxes as well.
Some states require license plates on both the front and the rear of the vehicle. New states switch to single plates every few years for various reasons. Many states also require an annual sticker affixed to the plate(s) as well. In most states, plates are kept up to 5 years, and then turned in for replacement.
Fees will vary too. In many states when you first register your vehicle, you must pay sales tax on it for the price you paid for it. Beyond that there may be fees for title, registration (often for more than one year), and the vehicles weight also required.
Annual fees will apply as well. Some states also charge an annual property tax, while others might have a “highway tax”. As of now, many states don’t renew the actual registration annually. They charge 2 or more years at a time. Where the additional sticker is required, they often will mail the new one before the next year (prepaid). Sales tax is big business, and in most states, it is charged each time a vehicle is sold. This can lead to tremendous proceeds for the state.
Vanity and specialty plates can cost you extra. If you want your name on your plate (and it is available), you will have to pay extra (even if for words, or anything outside the normal automated numbering systems). The fees for these custom plates vary dramatically from one state to another. The availability of any particular plate number also varies. There are a few exceptions though, such as plates denoting you are a veteran of a foreign war, amateur radio call signs (public service), and similar customizations often aren’t charged extra, or minimal. These are due to appreciation these people receive for their efforts.
Some states (such as Florida) will also put the county on your plate that you are registered in.
In some states, when you have a lapse in your insurance on your vehicle, you are required to turn the plates in, and whenever you take the vehicle off the road. Other states don’t collect their old useless plates. The main reason for the plates in general is so they can identify the vehicle in a way where the owner can be looked up, and they can see if there is cause to stop and question them.
With different plates and requirements in each state, there are federal services that help coordinate the states. With one database now, law enforcement can run a plate from any state they need, often also tracking criminal records on the same systems. Homeland security is bound to add many more capabilities in this manner.
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