Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

Which type of vehicle is allowed to have three license plates?

1. Bus

2. Taxi

3. Tow truck

4. Ambulance

The correct answer is: Tow truck

Tow trucks are unique among vehicles in that they are allowed to be equipped with three license plates. This provision is typically made to ensure that the vehicle operates legally and can easily be identified, particularly when towing other vehicles. The third license plate is often mounted at the rear of the trailer or the towed vehicle to ensure visibility and adherence to traffic regulations while the tow truck is in operation. This helps facilitate law enforcement's ability to confirm that the tow truck is properly registered and licensed to perform towing services. In contrast, other vehicle types, such as buses, taxis, and ambulances, usually adhere to the standard requirement of having only two license plates, one in the front and one in the rear, for identification and regulatory compliance. Each vehicle type is governed by specific laws that dictate how many license plates are required, mainly based on function and regulations tied to their operation.