Aftermarket Front License Plate Holder Recommendations?

[denverag03]

I went with Quick Bandit on both my Model Y and R1S and I've been happy with the product.

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[PappaBolt]

Rational thinking is sometimes in limited supply. You’re point is valid, but if stopped for another reason this would likely be another piled on infraction.

 

[Brian A]

Two things with SnapPlate:

(1) When installing, it's important to test the latching by giving a SLIGHT tug forwards. Sometimes it needs adjustment per the instructions.

(2) It's designed to protect the grille by snapping off when subjected to lateral force. That means it can come off in car washes or while forwarding even somewhat swift streams.

In my ordinary use, SnapPlate has been excellent. My first needed adjustment [EDIT: It needed adjustment in order to complete the installation]. My second didn't need adjustment. I don't go far enough off road to be fording streams.

Best wishes, @PappaBolt!

Have you had it come off in a car wash? I have hesitated getting it because I don't want to have to take it off every time I take the truck through the wash. So far I haven't put the front plate on (8 months in). In Colorado we are supposed to have front plates but most of the Rivians and Teslas I see don't put them on. I figure, if I get a fix it ticket, I will go ahead and put one on.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Rational thinking is sometimes in limited supply. You’re point is valid, but if stopped for another reason this would likely be another piled on infraction.

Exactly. An officer doesn’t need to be bored. As long as law says it’s an infraction, he/she is well within their prerogative to enforce it. Completely irrelevant point. When it happens, try asking if they are bored; see how that goes. ?

 

[ElGuano]

Exactly. An officer doesn’t need to be bored. As long as law says it’s an infraction, he/she is well within their prerogative to enforce it. Completely irrelevant point. When it happens, try asking if they are bored; see how that goes. ?

*Usually,* but there are notable exceptions to this. San Francisco, Philly, and even some states have laws or policies to prohibit "pretext stops," which amount to police pulling over motorists for minor infractions that don't affect safety (such as broken tail lights, expired registration stickers, etc.). I'm not sure if not having a front plate strictly qualifies here, but it might. The idea is that these minor stops give police too much discretion as to who they choose to pull over (or not), and a lot of data shows that they tend to pull over racial minorities, using the minor infractions as a pretext to search for evidence of unrelated crimes (without any probably cause).

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

*Usually,* but there are notable exceptions to this. San Francisco, Philly, and even some states have laws or policies to prohibit "pretext stops," which amount to police pulling over motorists for minor infractions that don't affect safety (such as broken tail lights, expired registration stickers, etc.). I'm not sure if not having a front plate strictly qualifies here, but it might. The idea is that these minor stops give police too much discretion as to who they choose to pull over (or not), and a lot of data shows that they tend to pull over racial minorities, using the minor infractions as a pretext to search for evidence of unrelated crimes (without any probably cause).

OP is not in those jurisdictions. And we are not talking just about those jurisdictions.

 

[PappaBolt]

*Usually,* but there are notable exceptions to this. San Francisco, Philly, and even some states have laws or policies to prohibit "pretext stops," which amount to police pulling over motorists for minor infractions that don't affect safety (such as broken tail lights, expired registration stickers, etc.). I'm not sure if not having a front plate strictly qualifies here, but it might. The idea is that these minor stops give police too much discretion as to who they choose to pull over (or not), and a lot of data shows that they tend to pull over racial minorities, using the minor infractions as a pretext to search for evidence of unrelated crimes (without any probably cause).

Then there’s overreach like this:
https://reason.com/2024/08/06/south-carolina-cops-target-out-of-state-drivers-for-highway-robbery/

 

[vigorousRival]

I had a bracket called The Law by Evannex on my model 3 that was highly recommended, but it was a weird metal frame that was a total PITA to install and would definitely break the grill if you hit something. I don’t recommend that style. I’ve had a snap plate on my model Y for a couple years that’s been great. It has gotten a little loose, but since I’m about to sell it I haven’t gotten around to tightening it. I don’t use automatic car washes so can’t comment on how well it would survive those, but my wife is a full contact driver and it’s survived her lol.

 

[vigorousRival]

Loved having my SnapPlate for 18 months until I forded a river. Drone caught the moment it snapped off but I didn't know about it until I got home and washed the truck. Now I have a sticker plate from licenseplatewrap.com, which is authorized by CA DMV to do sticker plates. I filled in the gap behind the plate with modeling clay.

Do you have any other pics of how you installed it, like from the side? This is an intriguing option, but I’m a little thrown by the modeling clay requirement. Thanks.

 

[DeanB1452]

Do you have any other pics of how you installed it, like from the side? This is an intriguing option, but I’m a little thrown by the modeling clay requirement. Thanks.

Here’s a few pics with the clay filling in the gap.

 

[risingphoenix]

Have you had it come off in a car wash? I have hesitated getting it because I don't want to have to take it off every time I take the truck through the wash. So far I haven't put the front plate on (8 months in). In Colorado we are supposed to have front plates but most of the Rivians and Teslas I see don't put them on. I figure, if I get a fix it ticket, I will go ahead and put one on.

Also in Colorado and have a snap plate which works pretty well. I'm not worried about LEO but more concerned about parking as many roaming meter maids will write you a ticket even when you've paid for parking. So if you never park in a city with aggressive enforcement (looking at you Boulder) probably low risk unless you've got a lead foot.

 

[EveryAmp]

Have you had it come off in a car wash? I have hesitated getting it because I don't want to have to take it off every time I take the truck through the wash. So far I haven't put the front plate on (8 months in). In Colorado we are supposed to have front plates but most of the Rivians and Teslas I see don't put them on. I figure, if I get a fix it ticket, I will go ahead and put one on.

Touchless washes are generally ok, but a touch wash is going to grab and pull until something breaks, and we'd rather it be a SnapPlate than the plastic grille on the truck. General words of caution for attaching anything metal to the plastic grille.

Fortunately SnapPlate is a simple one button install and removal in seconds. So even if you want to use a touch carwash there are no tools required. The side security screw is solely there to prevent someone from being able to press the hidden button behind the grille. It's not really something someone would know how to remove and any attempt would be captured on the gear guard.

 

[EveryAmp]

Two things with SnapPlate:

(1) When installing, it's important to test the latching by giving a SLIGHT tug forwards. Sometimes it needs adjustment per the instructions.

(2) It's designed to protect the grille by snapping off when subjected to lateral force. That means it can come off in car washes or while forwarding even somewhat swift streams.

In my ordinary use, SnapPlate has been excellent. My first needed adjustment [EDIT: It needed adjustment in order to complete the installation]. My second didn't need adjustment. I don't go far enough off road to be fording streams.

Best wishes, @PappaBolt!

A more important test than the slight tug is verifying the button is actually flush with the body. A partially installed SnapPlate may still feel snug but not fully engaged behind the grille without this check.

Reference Step 6 of the instructions for clarity:

 

[iamnid]

*Usually,* but there are notable exceptions to this. San Francisco, Philly, and even some states have laws or policies to prohibit "pretext stops," which amount to police pulling over motorists for minor infractions that don't affect safety (such as broken tail lights, expired registration stickers, etc.). I'm not sure if not having a front plate strictly qualifies here, but it might. The idea is that these minor stops give police too much discretion as to who they choose to pull over (or not), and a lot of data shows that they tend to pull over racial minorities, using the minor infractions as a pretext to search for evidence of unrelated crimes (without any probably cause).

I know a few friends here in Southern California that have simply come back to their vehicle with a ticket under the windshield wiper for no front plate. So it can bite you even if you aren't pulled over for it.

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