The license plate should be a vital, cost-effective, and readily identifiable law enforcement tool. Every U.S. state and Canadian province mandates its display, and information concerning these plates is accessible to police officers in real time. Noncompliance with a jurisdiction’s vehicle registration laws can serve as a gateway to clearing serious crime. For example, a vehicle displaying one plate in a state or province requiring two, or one plate with either an absent or expired validation tab, is an objective measure that provides probable cause to believe a violation is occurring. Unfortunately, the license plate is grossly underutilized by law enforcement as a legitimate means to detect crime.