[flyingcheesehead]

Hi folks,

I just picked up a 2013 Volt (my third plug-in vehicle) and it has no hardware for a front license plate, which is required in my home state of Wisconsin.

I went to a Chevy dealer and they have a holder and (as the parts guy said) some rivets that "they're pretty proud of."

I have no riveting tools, and I'm wondering if anyone has a better way of attaching a front plate? All I have is a bumper with four holes in it...

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

 

[Jimbo62]

Put 4 screws through the plate and the 4 holes.

 

[turboguy327]

Required? Lol. Just roll without it, I doubt you’ll ever get bothered in a volt. I never got bothered in my cammed, open exhaust camaro.

 

[KD in TX]

I bought my 2014 from the used side of a new car dealer, not a Chevrolet dealer, that was next door.

The car came off a lease in MI, where they don't require a front plate, or so I have been led to believe. They just drilled 2 holes in the bumper and screwed their crappy plate frame with their advertising plate on. It looked like sh!t, so I "lost" the front plate and got 2 "bumper plugs" that matched the color of the car, and am enjoying the much cleaner lines of the car.

FWIW, we also have a mandatory front plate requirement. I keep the plate on the floor behind the front seat, just in case.

 

[Cord]

Yes, Texas is one of the 31 states that requires vehicles to have a front and rear license plate.
Despite the fact that every state bordering Texas requires only one plate, Section 504.943 of the Transportation Code requires that a vehicle display two plates.

the odd bit is that a few years ago there was no fine

but

Now, with the punishment tacked back on to the law, the fine for a missing front or rear plate is specifically set at no more than $200

in Texas, a law enforcement officer is allowed to stop any vehicle if a front or rear license plate is missing

 

[Barry]

Hi folks,

I just picked up a 2013 Volt (my third plug-in vehicle) and it has no hardware for a front license plate, which is required in my home state of Wisconsin.

I went to a Chevy dealer and they have a holder and (as the parts guy said) some rivets that "they're pretty proud of."

I have no riveting tools, and I'm wondering if anyone has a better way of attaching a front plate? All I have is a bumper with four holes in it...

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

Most people would be trying to figure out how to avoid it all together or at least attach it without putting holes in or otherwise marring the front bumper. There may be some ways to do that.

Do your 4 holes line up with the plate bracket? If you are looking for the "correct" way to attach it, the rivets are pop rivets and they require a pretty cheap tool called a pop rivet gun that you could buy. You might even be able to borrow one. Some auto parts stores loan various kings of tools. Or as mentioned, screws of the correct size would probably work well enough (less reliable than rivets). Just be aware that the rivets are impossible to remove without cutting them off and the bracket will scuff the front bumper underneath, so you won't want to take it off for that reason.

 

[Steverino]

Instead of the metal rivets or screws, I used the black plastic "body panel" rivets sold in auto store to attach mine. Position the bracket, mark the 4 holes, drill. Then attached the bracket using the body panel rivets.

Here's more details and pictures: https://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?8264-Front-License-Bracket-Mats-License-Frame

 

[flyingcheesehead]

As I mentioned in the OP, there are four holes in the front bumper. I assume they line up with the GM bracket, but I do not have that.

Despite searching for "front license plate" there were no results, until AFTER I posted this thread. (Mods, that may mean the search is broken...) Then, I did get a link to this thread: https://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?32089-New-Member-Introduction-amp-front-license-plate-tip

While that's an interesting idea, I think I like this one better: https://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?8264-Front-License-Bracket-Mats-License-Frame

Does anyone know what the fasteners are called in that second thread? It looks like maybe the same thing Steverino is using?

 

[Steverino]

I think I like this one better: https://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?8264-Front-License-Bracket-Mats-License-Frame

Does anyone know what the fasteners are called in that second thread? It looks like maybe the same thing Steverino is using?

That thread is my thread. The fastener I posted here is the same I posted there. You can buy them at the chevy dealer parts dept or an auto parts store.

https://www.autozone.com/tools-and-equipment/screws-pins-and-clips
https://www.amazon.com/Automotive-Clips/b?ie=UTF8&node=15709311

 

[Pro451]

I got pulled over in Seattle for no other reason than lack of a front plate on my RX-7. That it had bent up and therefore taken off a day earlier off garnered no sympathy from the Seattle cop who nothiced its absence in his rear view mirror. Put it in the windsield sir, heres your ticket. I think that's a $124 fine in this money grubbing state. (Or maybe it's gone up to $136 now.)

 

[nrvous]

Here's an interesting option I came across. I've never used one of these but their fitment list includes Gen 1 and 2 Volts.

https://www.slybrackets.com/

 

[robhouston]

Here's a link to the OEM front license plate bracket on Ebay. It seems a bit pricey, but you can use the part number to search for some other sources:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Licens...pid=13018336815&hash=item56a3d17787:rk:4:pf:0

We also have the front license plate requirement in NJ, and for what it's worth, I wouldn't try to get by our local police without it.

Good luck!

 

[nrvous]

Here's a link to the OEM front license plate bracket on Ebay. It seems a bit pricey, but you can use the part number to search for some other sources:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Licens...pid=13018336815&hash=item56a3d17787:rk:4:pf:0

We also have the front license plate requirement in NJ, and for what it's worth, I wouldn't try to get by our local police without it.

Good luck!

Totally agree. I don't need a ticket so I never even thought about removing it - doesn't really bother me to be honest.

We bought our Leaf right over the border in PA where only one plate is required and brought it back to NJ. I had to remember to make sure they put the front bracket on before driving off!

 

[Steverino]

Here's an interesting option I came across. I've never used one of these but their fitment list includes Gen 1 and 2 Volts.

https://www.slybrackets.com/

Blocking the front air intake grill is an option, yes. I'm unsure how much that might negatively affect the airflow for the stacked radiators behind it.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

That thread is my thread. The fastener I posted here is the same I posted there.

LOL! I guess I was not being particularly observant yesterday.

I don't suppose you know exactly what size? I guess maybe I'll order the bracket online and then stop by my local Auto Zone...

 

[nrvous]

Blocking the front air intake grill is an option, yes. I'm unsure how much that might negatively affect the airflow for the stacked radiators behind it.

I said it was interesting, I didn't say it was good! LOL

 

[FI Spyder]

We just had front plate club discussion with questions asked of provincial insurer. In 19 States and Alberta you don't need front licence plate. That being said my California (which does) 1980 TR7 Spider had never had a front licence plate. Some collector car guys don't have one dating back to when the guy looking after provincial collector plates said "if there's no provision for a front (collector) plate you don't have to deface it by adding a front plate". He has moved on to Hagerty's and conclusion now is you do, if you don't it is up to the cop's discretion. On a club run one guy was going to get a ticket for not having it but something happened (accident or call) and the cop had to leave before ticket was issued. Some used "hinged plates" so air intake isn't blocked at speed but these aren't actually legal and you may or may not get away with it. You pays your money and takes your chances.

 

[danieljw]

Toggle bolts and zip ties were my solution to this problem.

 

[Steverino]

Toggle bolts and zip ties were my solution to this problem.

Can you post pictures?

 

[JuneBug]

Interesting. No front plates here in THIS LA. My Volt came from Texas, so it does have the mounting bracket.

The other day, I spotted a Gen1 Volt charging near my home, and it had those HOV stickers all over it. Sure enough, California plate in the back, but NO plate in the front--NO front bracket or mounting holes to be seen.