It seems that unless your state requires a front plate bracket it will not be installed . We don’t in Oklahoma . I decided to put the one that came with our new Subaru on only to find out holes have to be drilled . Not just a hole but a 13/16 drill bit hole . Not something I am comfortable doing to a new vehicle . The dealer want 190 dollars to mount it for me . Apparently that is the case for a lot of vehicles now. I might have done it if it was 1/4 or 3/8 .
Tow hook front plate mounts are available if you don’t want to drill your bumper, It’s required here so you have to ask them not to drill the bumper if you wish to use another mounting solution. We’ve never had problems with the install by the local dealers but it’s been part of the pre-delivery process.
Holly crap that is a big hole for a license plate holder… But after watching a video, I understand why…
It really is no different then a smaller hole, just takes a little longer, if you feel safe drilling a 3/8 hole, then go for it and drill the big hole also… But I understand not wanting to drill a hole in a $$$$ new bumper… And gezz $190 is high for that…
But I guess you are not paying him for the time as much as the confidence and tools to do the job right and not screw it up…
If you are not required ti have a front plate why do you want a front plate holder? It looks better without one and if you move, you can have one installed then.
Some people like having there favorite sports team, or racecar driver, or saying, or alma mater or whatever on the not needed front plate… Very common in my area where we are only required one license plate…
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You can buy license plate brackets with adhesive tape that bond to the bumper. Tesla provided the bracket when I bought my Model 3 and it works well. Do a web search and see if there are any you like.
I have seen most of the aftermarket brackets and not real sure I want the adhesive type. As for why I want it . We want actual handicap plates on both ends of our vehicle .
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I request a front license plate bracket for my truck, to display plate with my spirit animal, no charge from dealership. But, that was ten years ago, dealership under new owners, how much they might charge now, I have no idea.
Good idea, more than once we were told “you can’t park here, it’s handicap parking”, no placard, had handicap license plate. Rear only plates in FL. As I recall it was plate or placard, but not both.
I have no idea why Subaru decided to make that so complicated. Skip those threaded inserts and the giant holes. Just hook the thing on and whack in a couple of sheet metal screws. Use the self-drilling kind if you like. It’ll take like 5 mins.
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It took less than 5 minutes in the video, so you know it could be done in 1/2 that time if not videoing it… once everything was set up… once the pilot hole is drilled, it is all down hill from there…
I know a person is not a “Car Guy” when you see the front bracket…with nothing mounted!
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Maybe he just does not care about having something on the front of his vehicle . That does not make a non car guy.
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My fun car front bumper has a fun car plate on it, but I have never put a plate on the front of any other vehicle just for show and tell that I have owned, and NEVER installed a front bracket on one of my vehicles for a plate…
I also refuse to put stickers on the back of my vehicle(s), not even the ones for the fun car…
But to each their own…
Not even “Winner” stickers from the drag strip?
Not a car guy vs car guy: I think a car guy would remove the bracket rather than leave it empty. I would not add one to a ‘modern’ car but older cars with chrome bumpers had them molded into the bumper with slots punched out. No choice or add a plate of some nature.
I was kind of calculating for total time - find the screws, take out the impact driver and bit and yada yada. And for an older guy with handicap plates… I just don’t see the need to pop those huge holes, or drill at all, and just whacking in a couple of screws wouldn’t keep anyone from doing those inserts later if desired.
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What don’t you like about the adhesive bumper brackets? The adhesive on mine works very well. I can’t imagine it coming loose if that’s your concern. Ive had mine for about 1.5 years and no problems.
Thanks Purebred. Leaving an empty plate bracket on your front bumper is the very definition of a non-car person. To them their car is just an appliance, something that gets them from “A” to “B”. Put gas in it and turn the key.
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Remove the bracket and leave the holes? That’s better?
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I wonder how much if any drag a front bracket/plate adds to a given vehicle… 
I agree with Texases, leave 2 big holes in your plastic bumper??
Although I have never added a front bracket, I also would not remove one cause then it just looks like it has been in a fender bender… 