Front license plate install: The British Way!

[CUPRA]

Sept 1st, legislation was amended in Texas to now include the fine associated with not having a front license plate. Previously, it was something you could be pulled over for, but they didn't have a fine associated with the violation so I wasn't too concerned. Well now, that has changed and an 'up to $200' fine is now in place.

Being somewhat responsible now, and not wishing to play Russian Roulette on whether today is the day I get pulled over and fined (after 3 trouble free years), I decided to do something about it.

I am a Brit, and therefore come from a country that requires, by law a front and rear license plate. I decided to use my British cunning and implement a solution I used for so many years back in the UK to install my front license plate.

You too, can now do the same thing with this simple DIY.

License Plate Installation

Here are the supplies:
1x military issue foam mat (ok, so you don't need this, but it protects your knees!)
1x Sharpie
1x License plate
1x Straight edge (I chose to use a spare license plate)
1x Tape measure
And the final item, from the UK, 1x Pack of Signam Fixers - Number Plate Adhesive Spacers. (I had a set brought back from the UK for me by a buddy on a business trip, but you can find them online.)



Measure the back of your license plate



Find the center and draw a line with the Sharpie. Introduce your straight edge to the line.



Now carefully bend up one edge of the license plate to form a 'V'.



Test fit your bend to make sure it follows the contour of the front of your Camaro.



Open your license plate adhesive kit. It contains three strips of double sided foam and one alcohol cleaning wipe.
I've chosen this kit in the past as I trust the adhesive quality of the foam for this application as that is what it is designed for.



Place the foam pieces on the back of the license plate in a position that works for you.



Grab your alcohol wipe...



Clean the area well...





Carefully line up the license plate on the front of the car. Be diligent as these adhesive pads are VERY sticky and are not forgiving.





Stand back and admire your work. Ok, not the sexiest mod ever, but a way of attaching your license plate to your car, without having to:

a) drill into your bumper
b) have a license plate mounting frame from your dealer there
c) buying an aftermarket license plate frame









As you can see, the license plate is held away from the bumper, and the position of the double sided foam means that the bumper will not be scratched. The foam, being 6mm thick is also forgiving, so will cushion vibrations from every day use.

I've used it for years back in the UK, and also here in the USA without any issues. This process is also completely safe on the paint and reversible.





Revel in your British cunning and call it a day!



Hope this helps someone out, with a solution to the 'dreaded' front license plate. Not something I 'wanted' to do, but I would rather do this than get a $200 fine, with the legislation being 'fresh' on the books, I know it would only be a matter of time before being pulled over.

Enjoy!

[bkscott]

Or you could have bought my JacFab bracket that I can no longer use for cheap. lol

Nice work btw.

[Sevn86]

Glad you mentioned they start fining you now for not having a front plate. didn't know that. I will be attaching my front plates on my cars soon. Though none of them are camaros but im sure your DIY will help other Texans.

[CUPRA]

Originally Posted by bkscott

Or you could have bought my JacFab bracket that I can no longer use for cheap. lol

Nice work btw.

Thanks! I looked at the JacFab bracket prior to this and I would have gone down that route had I not used this solution previously!

[Chevrolade]

Doing this tomorrow. !! Btw what's cupra?

[CUPRA]

Originally Posted by Chevrolade

Doing this tomorrow. !! Btw what's cupra?

As mentioned, I'm from the UK. The last car I owned there was a Seat Ibiza Cupra 20V Turbo. Cupra is the tuning arm of Seat (part of the VW/Audi group) much like SRT is to Dodge and SVT is to Ford.

CUPRA stands for 'CUP RAcing'

My forum username was Cupra there in the UK due to the car I had, and I simply kept it over here in the USA on forums as well.

[2010 SSRS]

great job

[CUPRA]

Originally Posted by 2010 SSRS

great job

Thanks!

[45thCamaro]

Great effective mod. You could do the same thing with buying those adhesive squares you can find in the school aisle in a drug store. And just buy a box of running alcohol pads. In case people can't find the ones your talking about. You could even use sticky back Velcro.

I'd like to give another option, would require taking off your bumper, but would allow you to remove your plate as you wish. Buy strong earth magnets (found them on amazon) and glue them to the inside of your bumper and your license plate. Then do the same thing with making a crease in the plate and it will stick to the bumper. Use a foam pad to keep your plate from actually touching the paint (use little rubber bumpers). When you go to shows and such you can pull it of as you please. If I ever do a heritage grille, I plan on doing this mod on my car as well.

(note: this was just an idea thy I had, I have not done it nor have I seen it done. However I had the idea for earth magnets when doing my underhood bowtie.)

[Angrybird 12]

I don't know about Texas, but many places require the tags to be bolted on. I have a solution for you though, get a couple bolts and cut the heads off then super glue them to the tag where it looks like they are bolted to the fascia... that way unless they looked very close nobody would know it wasn't really bolted on.
One thing I will warn anyone about. don't use anything that is not automotive grade two sided tape. The white 3M pads are usually not for outdoor use and will degrade when they get wet eventually letting go. I tried it years ago and it only lasted a few months and I lost my emblem I used it on.

[christianmotox]

Nice job. i will definitely consider it if i ever get a ticket and need to comply.

[CUPRA]

Originally Posted by Angrybird 12

One thing I will warn anyone about. don't use anything that is not automotive grade two sided tape. The white 3M pads are usually not for outdoor use and will degrade when they get wet eventually letting go. I tried it years ago and it only lasted a few months and I lost my emblem I used it on.

I totally agree, that is why I chose to use this product I used for years in the UK. It is specifically designed for holding license plates to bumpers on cars. That's it, nothing more, nothing less. I've used it for years without issue!

[Sikoriko]

looks good thanks for sharing. I also need to add my plate.

[JCunningham]

in ny it states the plates must be securely fastened (what's that mean). another ny law open to interpretation but theres no appeal to traffic court. same thing for loud exhaust. its up to the officer so you can have a stock exhaust and pay a fine. so this is what i did with mine