skip to main content

Need to Make Holes for License Plate

20 years ago

Was involved in an auto accident where the front end of my car was torn off. Was too traumatized to collect my license plate from the rumble. Repaired front end has no holes for license plate. Please advise what tool would be best for making the holes. Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

jasonmi7
20 years ago
Drill.
earthworm
20 years ago
Is this a DIY thing ?
If not, the body shop should provide you with the holes and the bracket, and the old plate.
Demand nothing less.
Related Discussions
'Protect Pollinators' new license plates
Q
Comments (8)
Hi! We're 1/3rd of the way there (151 applications as of yesterday) and have until December 1 to collect them. (We can continue into next year if we don't have enough by December- there are all kinds of 'what if's' in that case, so by December 1 is best :) collectordi- right now, we're taking pre-sale orders, which means I'm a middle-man for the DMV. They won't be available on the DMV's website until we collect all 450 prepaid applications for the first round of plates. You can go to www.pollinatorplates.com for more info- there is a 'get your plate' link which should explain the process, and also a FAQ page. You can also email me at pollinatorplates at gmail.com if you have more questions! Thanks very much :) Here is a link that might be useful: Pollinator Plates official website
...See More
Rear License Plate Holder
Q
Comments (2)
All kinds of suggestions depending on what you've got and how much you want to fool with it. If it uses a bracket, replace it. If it mounts directly to the sheet metal, you may be able to open the door, remove the trim, and grab the frozen screw with pliers or something and turn it out from the inside. If you just want to work from the outside, drill a bigger hole and use a bigger screw. If the hole is to big that way, install an anchor. They make them that fit in the hole, turn a cap screw in the anchor down tight and it grabs from the back side. That leaves you a threaded hole. Maybe you can just move the license plate 1/4" to the left or right, higher or lower, and drill a couple different holes. There's a few ideas.
...See More
license plates
Q
Comments (25)
I have a collection of maybe 30 old plates between 1913 and 1927 from the states that the Lincoln Highway ran through. New York to California. After lots of considering, I finally hung them up like a wallpaper border around my living room. they were really cute up there and blended nicely with the other antiques in the room. It didn't look junky at all. Fun and funk, i like that. It was a conversation piece often times. Old road people LOVED it and came to my house to see them used like this. I'd post a picture, but we had to paint the room and i took them all down. Eventually after a remodel, they might go back up again somewhere. They are too cool to leave in a pile unappreciated!
...See More
Only one license plate?
Q
Comments (41)
"Why do you have to memorize your tag number?" Several years ago I got one of my license plates stolen. I didn't realize it. I got a ticket in the mail that "my" car was parked in a handicapped parking spot. It listed the location, date, and time of the infraction. I was at work 45 miles away on that day. I contested it and had to prove where I was on that day and time. I was able to. By now I know my license plates because I had to write them down in the letter I wrote, and a couple of other documents I had to submit. I'm now waiting to hear back from the court, and a month has gone by. I come home from work one day, park my car, and then open the trunk to get something out. I glanced down and noticed the license plate and realized it wasn't my plate. Walked to the front of my car and my plate was still attached. I called 911 and an officer came to my home to retrieve the plate that wasn't mine and also took my plate. The plate that wasn't mine belonged to a car that had been stolen. My plate was put on the stolen car. So I'd been driving around for who knows how long with two different plates. The officer took both plates and I had to get new ones. And told me I was very lucky that no officer did a random plate check on the plate that was stolen. The officer said they call for back up when they spot a stolen car. They would have thought I was driving a stolen car if they ran that plate. That's why it's important to know your license plates. I check my front and back each time I get in my car and go someplace now. Like Save
...See More
sdello
20 years ago
Do you have a plate to install. Your post indicates that you didn't recover it from the wreck?

What kind of car?

If there are no holes in the repaired nose, there may be a factory plate mount that attaches. The body shop should have done this for you.

Otherwise, I concur with Jason, get a drill.
casey_wa
20 years ago
I gather that the State of Maryland requires two plates on your vehicle, front and rear. If you do not know, contact your Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles and they will tell you. If so, you need both plates. If you did not recover the front place you lost then you need probably get two new replacement plates. If you get the front plate either way, and do not have the holes to mount it, then like the other posts in this thread have said....you gotta drill it.

Casey
IronCity
20 years ago
I'd suggest a Sawzall. A tube of Liquid Nails might work too and would not require any holes. Either way, be sure to post some pics of the final result.
tomh_ga
20 years ago
Most "rubber" bumpers come with little indents that are properly spaced where the holes are to be drilled (if desired). It should take about 5 seconds to drill these out but make sure you use a correctly sized bit for the bolts.
gary__
20 years ago
Some require a bracket. If yours does, get it. If it just screws into the front bumber, like TomH says, sometimes theres markers where to attach. Another option is self tapping screws. That's how a lot of em were mounted on new gm products in the late 70's. I know, I put on a million of them.
earthworm
20 years ago
Nothing confusing at all, So-Cal..
Just learn to read and spell..lol lol...
gary__
20 years ago
**That has got to be the most confusing answer to a question that I've ever seen . Should they go back to the Body Shop and DEMAND a box of Liscense Plate HOLES ?**

Not so confusing. The car was wrecked. The body shop didn't finish the job. The body shop should have provided and installed all the parts in the first place. Do you go to a shop so you can do it yourself, plus provide your own parts anyway?

If you do, come to my house so you can pay me while you do your own work...and pay me for parts I didn't provide.

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Give License Plates the Green Light

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Imagination is the driving force behind these car and motorcycle plates repurposed as artistic home decor

HOUSEKEEPING Quick Fix: How to Patch a Drywall Hole

Dents and dings disappear, leaving your walls looking brand new, with this fix that even a novice can do

MOST POPULAR Kitchen of the Week: Broken China Makes a Splash in This Kitchen

By Becky Harris

When life handed this homeowner a smashed plate, her designer delivered a one-of-a-kind wall covering to fit the cheerful new room

BUDGET DECORATING 14 Ways to Make More Money at a Yard Sale — and Have Fun Too

By Laura Gaskill

Maximize profits and have a ball selling your old stuff, with these tips to help you plan, advertise and style your yard sale effectively

DECORATING GUIDES Easy Decorating: Great Plate Arrangements

By Becky Harris

How to Get Your Pretty Plates Out of Hiding and On Display

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Make Your Garage a Storage Powerhouse

By Mary Jo Bowling

New project for a new year: Add shelving and containers to get your stuff off the garage floor — and still have room for the car

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Install Energy-Efficient Windows

By Christine Tusher

Learn what Energy Star ratings mean, what special license your contractor should have, whether permits are required and more

MOST POPULAR 8 Little Remodeling Touches That Make a Big Difference

By Samantha Schoech

Make your life easier while making your home nicer, with these design details you'll really appreciate

MOST POPULAR So You Say: 30 Design Mistakes You Should Never Make

By Mitchell Parker

Drop the paint can, step away from the brick and read this remodeling advice from people who’ve been there

KNOW YOUR HOUSE Know Your House: What Makes Up a Floor Structure

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Avoid cracks, squeaks and defects in your home's flooring by understanding the components — diagrams included

Sponsored

Wannemacher Interiors

26 Reviews

Customized Award-Winning Interior Design Solutions in Franklin Cnty OH