Front License Plate Mounting Options -- A Summary

[tps5352]

Currently, something like 29 or 30 states and three Canadian provinces (and possibly the Mexican states and territories?) require front license plates (LPs) on certain vehicles. At some point in the buying/delivery process many customers must decide whether to have front LP mounts installed by Rivian on their brand new cars, or whether to seek an (aftermarket/DIY) alternative.

2022 Map. What U.S. and Canada
areas Require Front License Plates?​

Over the (so far 6) years of the Rivian Forums there have been a number of threads & posts about front LP attachment (see Appendix). These include information about the advantages and disadvantages of:

• No front LP.
• Standard Rivian OEM (plastic) LP mounts usually riveted to the center of the front bumper.
• Aftermarket quick-release LP mounts, attached to the center of the front grill.
• Aftermarket (left and right) tow-hook LP mounts.
• Wrap-style flexible LP replicas.
• Do It Yourself (DIY) LP mounts.

Although often very helpful, posts are scattered (in time and location) throughout the Forums. And they may contain both objective and subjective information--sometimes biased or contradictory--by owner-drivers and by vendors promoting their products. Is it therefore helpful to have a summary of the primary options—an information resource that could be modified and updated as new information became available? Here is an initial attempt:

Rivian R1 Front License Plate (LP) Mounting Alternatives​

Option	Product	Cost	Type	Features	Potential Issues?	Gen 2 OK?
(1) No Front LP​	- none -​	$0​	- none -​	B​	8​	Yes​
(2) Rivian OEM Bumper Mount​	OEM Bumper Holder​	$0​	bumper LP holder​	A,B,E​	1,6​	Yes​
(3) DIY Project​	LP holder alternative​	~$15​	tow-hook LP holder​	B,E​	2,4​	Yes​
(4) BrainExploder Merch​	LP Holder​	$40​	tow-hook LP holder​	B,D,E​	2,3,4,9​	No​
(5) Adhesive Replica​	LP Replica​	$73​	flexible 'wrap'​	G​	4,5,8​	Yes​
(6) BuiltRight Industries​	LP Holder​	$80​	tow-hook LP holder​	H,J​	4,9​	No​
(7) EveryAmp​	SnapPlate​	$110​	center grill LP holder​	C,D,F,H,K​	6,7,9​	Yes​
(8) LP Wrap​	LP Wrap​	$120​	flexible 'wrap'​	G,I​	4,5,7,8​	Yes​
(9) 1975Creations​	Quick Bandit​	$129​	center grill LP holder​	C,D,H,K​	6,7,9​	Yes​

Key

Features/Characteristics A. Secure. (Reduced chance of theft.)​ B. Inexpensive.​ C. Break-away design.​ D. Easy on/off.​ E. Uses OEM front mounting bracket.​ F. Lockable.​ G. Replica of front LP.​ H. Made in America.​ I. Legal in California.​ J. Made of metal.​ K. Attaches to front grill-work.​

Potential Issues? Holes in front bumper. Unintended removal/theft. Sturdiness/durability/breakage. Interference with or blocks front sensors. Requires adequate flat surface. (Partially) Blocks camera view. High cost. Not legal in all states. No-touch car-wash only.

Notes

• All options (except #2) avoid drilling into the front bumper.
• Unless stated otherwise, the mechanical mounts are made of plastic. (SnapPlate is made of 3-D printer recycled plastic.)
• As usual, there are also various (mostly) non-brand-name LP mounts available on Amazon.

Observations and Conclusion

Regardless of cost, it seems like there is no 'Goldilocks' front LP option that is 'just right' and clearly better than the others. All have disadvantages, including the Rivian OEM mount, the various aftermarket products, (ingenious) DIY projects, and even the no-LP option. The old saying, "Choose your poison," seems to apply here. Selection of a "best" option probably depends on whether driving the car will be:

• Limited to just one state/province (that either does or does not require/enforce having a front LP).
  |
• Across country through multiple jurisdictions.

Regardless of whether the LP is actually mounted to the front of the car, it sounds like a good idea to have the LP pre-fitted to a removable mount and stored safely in the car while traveling.

Two big concerns for me are (a) blocking front (proximity) sensors and (b) having the mount (and front LP) fall off at speed (never to be seen again).

Potential buyers have time to consider their options before car purchase. But it seems like the same concerns about front LPs have already been discussed by Rivian drivers for at least three years with no clear-cut, absolutely perfect solution. As others have commented, it is too bad that Rivian has not designed a cleverly-engineered front license plate holder that (a) does not obstruct the front camera view, (b) is well-integrated into the design of the front area (or is at least tolerable), (c) does not disfigure the front bumper (with drilled holes), and (d) can remain hidden (under a removable cover?) for jurisdictions that do not require front license plates. Rivian is not the only car-maker facing this challenge.

Opinions?

Photos
​

Rivian OEM Front License Plate Mount​	DIY front license plate mount for tow hook.​	Another DIY front license plate mount for tow hook.​
BrainExpoder Merch Tow Hook LP Mount​	Adhesive Replica - LP replica 'wrap'​	BuiltRight Industries Tow Hook LP Mount​
SnapPlate LP Mount​	License Plate Wrap​	Quick Bandit LP Mount​

*****

Appendix

A Partial List of Front License Plate-related Threads
​

• Aftermarket Front License Plate Holder Recommendations? (1/5/25)
• Quick Bandit front license plate holder for 2025 Rivian R1 (10/18/24)
• Looking for front license plate non screwed-in options for 2025 gen2 (7/18/24)
• Gen 2 R1S DM Front License Plate Mount (7/2/24)
• Front license plate holder removal? (2/22/24)
• Sticker plates - best location to avoid interference with sensors/cameras? (2/9/24)
• Rivian Aluminum License Plate with Name and Logo Installed Pics (12/20/23)
• Best Front License Plate Alternative to having Front R1S Bumper Drilled (12/7/23)
• Tow hook license plate: driver or passenger side? (11/28/23)
• Camera views with Quick Bandit license plate mount (9/5/23)
• BuiltRight license plate holder installed (8/7/23)
• Front License Plate Mount (7/25/23)
• No-Drill, No-Adhesives, Front License Plate Mounts - SnapPlate for Rivian R1T & R1S - Gen 2 Height and Grille Depth Adjustable (5/4/23)
• "Brutally honest" BuiltRight Industries License Plate Mount Review (3/23/23)
• SnapPlate - No Drill, Removable, Front License Plate Mount (2/22/23)
• Front License Plate Mount that looks good and high quality? (1/18/23)
• New front license plate holder (7/24/22)
• Adhesive front license plate (7/6/22)
• Front License Plate alternative - license plate wrap (5/15/22)
• No Drill License Plate - Snap Plate by EveryAmp (5/10/22)
• Homemade front license plate mount for tow hook (5/3/22)
• Front License Plates (5/4/21)

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[Q-ship]

Front plate no longer required in UT.

 

[elatrickWheels]

You’re going to get a ticket if you park in San Francisco with no license plate.

 

[tps5352]

Front plate no longer required in UT.

I found a few maps showing what states required and didn't require front LPs. Unfortunately, they often differed by one or two states. I get the sense that this is somewhat of a political thing; maybe a moving target? Probably kicked around in state legislatures every so often. (Possibly tied to the on-again, off-again use of contracted, for profit/revenue, despised, traffic intersection 'gotcha' cameras.)

Regardless, it seems clear that over half the U.S. states require them. Some states, like California, seem lax on enforcement,...most of the time. But every so often an officer will, for whatever reason, issue an inconvenient ticket. For interstate travelers it's probably just best to assume that front LPs are required.

 

[Nixapatfan]

This worked well for me(not my design). Very difficult to print on my crappy printer but good design needing minor sanding and slightly size increase but that could be due to the printer.


https://www.printables.com/model/665815-rivian-tow-hook-license-plate-bracket-for-oem-plat

 

[tps5352]

This worked well for me(not my design). Very difficult to print on my crappy printer but good design needing minor sanding and slightly size increase but that could be due to the printer.


https://www.printables.com/model/665815-rivian-tow-hook-license-plate-bracket-for-oem-plat

Looks very interesting. Potentially one of the best tow hook mount designs?

• Will the plastic bear up to road vibration?
• Also temperature extremes, UV, and ozone?

How can those of us without 3-D printers have one made (preferably out of good-quality plastic)?

 

[Nixapatfan]

Looks very interesting. Potentially one of the best tow hook mount designs?

• Will the plastic bear up to road vibration?
• Also temperature extremes, UV, and ozone?

How can those of us without 3-D printers have one made (preferably out of good-quality plastic)?

There are people that offer 3d printing services search Facebook marketplace. I printed it out of ABS so should hold up to the elements not sure of longevity as I've only made it a few weeks ago but holds up fine upto 90mph haven't tried it at higher speeds.

 

[dradam]

Looks very interesting. Potentially one of the best tow hook mount designs?

• Will the plastic bear up to road vibration?
• Also temperature extremes, UV, and ozone?

How can those of us without 3-D printers have one made (preferably out of good-quality plastic)?

Thank you, I designed that print with my son and I have been using it since the posting in November of '23. So far no issues even at a low infill. I used PTEG. If I ever need to print it again I might use more infill, but no problems so far. I have never printed with ABS, but that might be even stronger.

 

[sub]

Looking at that map it really reminds me how stupid of a problem this is.

At least 90% of Rivian's customers live in a state that requires a front plate. All of the most highly populated states require it. And the states where EV's are popular require it. It was designed in a state that requires a front plate. It is built in a state that requires a front plate.

And yet it was clearly designed without taking a front plate into consideration.

This is not a problem unique to Rivian, but that doesn't make it any less dumb. The front plate mounting spot should be baked into the design the same way the rear plate is.

 

[dradam]

This worked well for me(not my design). Very difficult to print on my crappy printer but good design needing minor sanding and slightly size increase but that could be due to the printer.


https://www.printables.com/model/665815-rivian-tow-hook-license-plate-bracket-for-oem-plat

Thanks, glad you like it.

 

[tps5352]

...but holds up fine upto 90mph haven't tried it at higher speeds.

Readers take note: This Thread is in no way (a) recommending that drivers exceed the Interstate Highway speed limit (of 65 mph) in Massachusetts and (b) responsible for what may happen if you do.*
_____
* I went to school in the Commonwealth back in the day. The state troopers there had a well-earned reputation, as I recall. ?‍??‍

 

[ElGuano]

For anyone having trouble with bracket positioning using the BuiltRight tow hook mount to not interfere with the proximity sensors, here's what I found works. I was lucky enough to nail it on the first try, so I haven't actually seen what a bad result looks like. But there are no prox alarms as I start the car and creep forward/backwards, and as I approach a wall, all of the orange/red alerts corresponding to the sensor positions light up correctly, they're not seeing the plate at all (the pictures are with the actual plate removed, so you can see how I lined up the mount and bracket, but I tested with the plate fully installed of course).

One thing I did - since I saw people were having problems, I started with the unintuitive thing and mounted ti high rather than low. I suspect the sensors are pointed down a bit, so maybe this helps.

 

[tps5352]

For anyone having trouble with bracket positioning using the BuiltRight tow hook mount to not interfere with the proximity sensors...

Excellent that you avoided having to bend the LP. I like the design and construction of the BuiltRight product, and the fact that it doesn't interfere with the front camera view (like grill-mounted products and the OEM bumper mount seem to), but the sensor interference issue of tow-hook mounts sounds like it could be a pita (especially if vibration cause the mount to shift position.

What would happen if you used a license plate frame? Would that increase the chances of interference with the sensors, do you think?

Regardless, great info and excellent choice of vehicle, imo.

 

[ElGuano]

What would happen if you used a license plate frame? Would that increase the chances of interference with the sensors, do you think?

I technically have a frame - I got those rubber/polymer frames off Amazon, because they have the thinnest bezels and can easily conform around a bent plate if I needed to "brake press" the edges.

The Builtright mount actually comes with two standard plastic (branded) license plate frames. I would never use them since they just look like cheap dealer plate frames, but they are much bigger and I wouldn't be surprised if they made alignment harder. My guess is there's probably between 1/2" to 1" of adjustability before something blocks a sensor, and having a really wide frame has got to reduce it even more.

 

[jeeden]

I went with the "x plate" available on Amazon. It mounts similar to the snap plate and is low profile. The hardware (screws) are bad, but just replace it with better and it has done very well for about $35.

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