Sponsored

Iowa Registration & Front Plates?

JimmyStix09

New Member
First Name
Jay
Joined
Jun 25, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
2
Reaction score
7
Location
Iowa
Vehicles
Subaru Impreza 2019
All,

Buying a new to me R1T, and realise the R1T doesn't have a front license plate holder. How did any of you in Iowa handle this? Drill into the front bumper (I'd rather not...). Just hoping a Rivian owner in Iowa or 2 can give me insights into how they handled this!
Sponsored

 

tbinmd

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 3, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
151
Reaction score
168
Location
MD
Vehicles
R1T Dual Max
I’m in MD, but we do have the two plate requirement. In MD the R1 comes with a front license plate mount that attaches to the bumper. Since it sounds like you are buying used, I would just check with Rivian to see about getting a mount. Quick google shows some 3rd party options.
 

VSG

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2022
Threads
4
Messages
3,209
Reaction score
6,006
Location
WA
Vehicles
R1T LE/RB/OC/20
New vehicles come with the front license plate holder (check in the frunk, might still be in there), which is installed before delivery by the service center if you want it (there is a question asking this when you do the online purchase process).

If you don't want to drill, you could buy a Snapplate or some other alternative which works without drilling.
 

SteveInBend

Well-Known Member
First Name
Steve
Joined
Oct 21, 2020
Threads
26
Messages
563
Reaction score
989
Location
Bend, Oregon
Vehicles
2022 El Cap R1T
Occupation
Retired
I don't live in Iowa, but Oregon requires a front license plate. I have the plate installed on a SnapPlate license plate holder which I keep in the frunk. If I am stopped by the police for not displaying a front plate, I plan to answer in one of two ways:

1. If the truck is dirty (i.e., most of the time), I will tell the officer that I am on my way to the car wash and removed the holder so it won't get torn off in at the car wash.

2. If the truck is clean, I will tell the officer that I removed the holder before going through the car wash so it wouldn't get torn off in the car wash and I am sorry for forgetting to put it back on immediately thereafter.

Note: This approach has not yet been tested in the 31 months I have been driving the truck. YMMV.
 

Sponsored

SwaziCAR

Well-Known Member
First Name
Tom
Joined
Oct 15, 2021
Threads
1
Messages
173
Reaction score
175
Location
Portland, Oregon
Vehicles
1996 Subaru Legacy Brighton, 2023 Rivian R1T
Occupation
Retired Office Boy
Clubs
 
Not in Iowa, but this works for me (check compatibility with your vehicle): Tow Hook Mount
 

Doug

Well-Known Member
First Name
Doug
Joined
Jul 7, 2021
Threads
7
Messages
259
Reaction score
332
Location
Jackson, Minnesota
Vehicles
2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 2002 Ford
Occupation
Business Owner
I live across the border in MN and they require front plates. I did not want to drill a hole for the license plate holder. So, I just carry the current plate in the frunk. I have 3 and half years and never been stopped. I asked a local officer and he said they would not stop someone just for no front plate. Take that for what it is worth.
 

mkhuffman

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Nov 9, 2020
Threads
14
Messages
2,844
Reaction score
3,203
Location
Virginia
Vehicles
2025 R1T Tri-Max, Jeep GC-L, VW Jetta
Front license plates are required in Virginia, and I've been driving my truck for well over a year and have yet to be stopped because of the lack of a front plate.

Rivian provided the front plate bracket, but I told them I didn't want it mounted because I didn't want the front appearance destroyed with that ugly thing. I have no excuse to tell law enforcement if they pull me over for it. I'll just tell them it's ugly and I didn't want to put it on and ruin the front of my truck. And then they will give me a ticket.
 

CharonPDX

Well-Known Member
First Name
Charon
Joined
Jul 12, 2021
Threads
31
Messages
2,498
Reaction score
4,171
Location
Cascadia
Vehicles
'22 R1T LE, '16 Model S, '19 Arcimoto FUV
Occupation
InfoSec Geek
Clubs
 
I wanted to use a SnapPlate or similar, but Rivian installed the front plate mount without even asking.
 

Dave Cundiff

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dave
Joined
Feb 28, 2024
Threads
4
Messages
1,171
Reaction score
1,583
Location
Pacific County, Washington
Vehicles
'23 R1S (DM,Max); '23 R1T (QM,Lg); '23 Chevy Bolt
I was at the Electric Avenue in downtown Portland, Oregon this spring and saw Portland Parking Bureau had ticketed a charging customer for lacking a front plate.

As far as I could tell, the driver hadn't done anything else wrong. Just lacked a plate.

So, at least in Oregon, you don't have to be moving to be cited for lacking a front plate.

Best wishes!
 

Sponsored

virgnia_rivian

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ryan
Joined
Dec 13, 2021
Threads
4
Messages
641
Reaction score
866
Location
Alexandria, VA
Vehicles
R1T, Mazda Miata
As others have stated Rivian will provide a front plate mount. Our front plate is mounted to our tow hook. I can’t recall which brand we purchased, but there are several mounts available. It’s been our our truck for 3yrs without any issues.
 

iansriv

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2022
Threads
20
Messages
2,795
Reaction score
3,808
Location
US
Vehicles
R1S
Most here know that I live life dangerously by running without front plates. Go ahead-feel the thrill-be a rebel!

Seriously though, what's the worst that can happen-a citation? You can also use a heavy-duty double sticky tape.
 

hammick

Well-Known Member
First Name
Stormy
Joined
Sep 8, 2024
Threads
26
Messages
590
Reaction score
537
Location
Montana
Vehicles
25 R1S Tri; '22 F150 Lightning Lariat ER
Occupation
retired
Our cars have been registered in Montana for past 12 years. Haven't put a front plate on in all that time. We keep the front plate under rear passenger floor mat. Never been an issue. MT 5.0 have better things to do than pull people over for not having a front plate.

IMHO front plates look hideous on most cars. My OCD can't handle it :whew:
Sponsored

 
 








Top