The start of the new year brings the start of several new laws across the state of Utah. Due to SB45, this includes changes to the state’s license plate rules. According to the bill, it serves the purpose of amending,” provisions related to license plates, including requirements for display, fees, distribution, design, and funding,” and goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

Arguably the biggest change that comes as a part of the new law is the abolishment of the two license plate requirements. Vehicles in Utah were formerly required to have both a front and back-facing license plate. With SB45, this requirement for a front-facing license plate is removed. With the change, Utah becomes the 22nd state to do away with the requirement.

In addition to the abolishment of the front-facing plate, you will also be seeing a change in the registration stickers for vehicles. Currently, registration stickers are divided into two separate pieces – a month and a year – this bill will consolidate them into a single sticker to be placed on the license plate.

This amendment also changes some fee-related matters associated with registration. “ Beginning on Jan. 1, 2025, $1 from the license plate fees, other than a license plate fee for a motorcycle or trailer, into the Motor Vehicle Safety Impact Restricted Account,” In addition to this, fees for acquiring a custom license plate have also changed to include a $25 processing fee which is added on to the existing $50 application fee. While the $50 fee is refundable if the plate is rejected, the $25 fee is not. According to the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles, this is to discourage inappropriate plate designs.

Finally, the bill changes how plates themselves will be distributed among the state. Currently, there are 138 plate distribution points across Utah, SB45 changes that to a single distribution center. This center will then distribute the plates across Utah through the mail with the goal of reducing the amount of time that residents will have to spend in the DMV.