License Plate Light

What Is a License Plate Light?

A license plate light — also called a tag light or number plate lamp — is a small but legally required exterior light mounted above or around the rear license plate. Its sole job is to illuminate the plate so that it remains legible to other drivers and law enforcement after dark. While it's one of the most overlooked bulbs on any vehicle, a burnt-out license plate light is a citable equipment violation in every U.S. state, making timely replacement more important than many drivers realize.

Why License Plate Lights Matter

Beyond legal compliance, a properly functioning license plate light contributes to overall rear visibility, especially in low-light conditions. Modern LED replacements offer significantly longer service life than traditional incandescent bulbs and draw far less current from the vehicle's electrical system — a meaningful advantage on work trucks, trailers, and RVs where multiple lighting circuits are in play. Whether you're refreshing a dimming OEM lamp, upgrading to LED technology, or replacing a cracked housing after trail damage, choosing the right lamp for your application involves understanding fitment, voltage, mounting style, and ingress protection ratings.

What to Look for When Shopping

• Fitment: License plate light assemblies are vehicle-specific or universally mounted. Always verify the mounting hole spacing and wire harness connector before purchasing.
• Light Source: LED lamps last dramatically longer than incandescent units and consume less power, while some OEM-style replacements use incandescent bulbs for direct plug-in compatibility.
• Ingress Protection: Lights exposed to road spray, submersion (trailers, marine applications), or off-road mud require sealed, waterproof housings.
• Voltage: Most passenger vehicles run 12V systems, but many commercial trucks and trailers require 12V/24V dual-voltage compatibility.
• Material & Finish: Polycarbonate lenses resist shattering, while stainless steel housings offer superior corrosion resistance for off-road and marine use.

Top License Plate Light Brands

Grote is one of the most trusted names in commercial vehicle lighting. Grote is a family-owned company that has been engineering vehicle safety lighting for over a century, offering both incandescent and LED license plate lamps designed for trucks, trailers, and RVs — many with sonically sealed housings for lasting durability.

Truck-Lite is a worldwide leader in advanced LED lighting solutions for the commercial vehicle market. Truck-Lite's license plate lamps — including their popular 15 and 36 Series — are built with polycarbonate lenses and electronics fully sealed in epoxy to resist moisture, corrosion, shock, and vibration, with select models backed by a lifetime warranty.

Mopar Performance provides factory-engineered license plate lighting solutions for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles. Mopar parts are designed to meet OEM specifications, ensuring a perfect fit and finish for Stellantis-platform vehicles without the guesswork of universal fitment.

Kentrol is a specialty manufacturer that has been crafting high-quality stainless steel accessories for Jeeps for decades. Kentrol's BackSide license plate mounts are machined from T-304 stainless steel with a powder-coated finish, and integrate LED license plate illumination — and in many configurations a third brake light — into a single bolt-on assembly built to last the lifetime of the vehicle.

IAP rounds out the lineup with targeted license plate lighting solutions for specific vehicle applications, offering reliable replacement options for drivers seeking straightforward, vehicle-matched fitment.