2012 Front License Plate Mod

I have this bracket on my LEAF. Works great! Well built, but pricey.

Skene Design License Plate Mount

 

If that's your car in post one I understand about wanting to relocate your plate but the damage to your bumper cover has already been done. You may have up to four holes in the bumper cover depending on how long the screws holding on the dealer plate.
Here is what I found when I took my bracket.


Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.

 

I helped a friend locate their plate to the lower grill on his 10 Corolla. We trimmed the plate a little to fit in the lower grill & then used a simple piece of metal with multiple holes in it from Home Depot. I ran a bolt through the plate, grill & bar with a washer & nut and it holds great.

 

Just make sure the bracket does not get installed at the port or during the pre delivery preparations at your dealer.

As you can see I was not that lucky.

Good luck and congratulations on your new Prius!

Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.

 

Thanks Doc. but we are required to have a laser target plate, oops I mean license plate on the front of our autos here in the 50th state. I have looked in to bumper plugs for two out of the four holes. I was so upset when I pulled off the stupid dealer plate and license plate frame, I saw the length of the fasteners and wanted to cry. Some careless jack hole at the dealer put some screws that were about an inch longer than they needed to be and went straight through the bracket and into the bumper cover.


Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.

 

So you're going for the "JDM" look? I would just leave the plate off if you don't have holes drilled already. If the holes are drilled already then I'd just leave it, but that's personal taste.

Over here in Cali I see all of the ricers with their license plates mounted to the side. The cheap and ghetto method is zip ties. The more expensive method is a license plate relocator such as: Password:JDM License Plate Re-Locator V.2 | Password JDM

 

I've always thought that looks lame. The plate just looks like it was an afterthought & put anywhere. I like the thought of the plate being recessed though.

 

I would center it, I think there will still be more then enough air flow.

 

Since it is on order, make sure you tell them to not install any dealer plates or brackets when the vehicle shows up on the lot.

The person working on your order can put your request in.

Back when I ordered my Sequoia, I did the same thing. Drove off the lot with just the DMV tag in the window with no plates/brackets installed.

Didn't have to worry an scratches from brackets that way.

I did not order my Prius.....Like another poster, I have 4 holes (2 not as bad) and marks from the brackets on the bumper because of how tight they put that bracket on.

Good Luck! Pictures when it comes in.

 

my stock bumper came with the brackets, but I got into an accident (my fault) and got a replacement one pretty much free thanks to Allstate (kinda long story) and craigslist. I bought a $10 metal bracket from autozone and zip-tied it to the grille, then mounted my plate on the license mount from my gen2 prius.

it's a little lop-sided, but what the hey... took this picture from a reflection of my car cos it looks more sporty


and this is an actual picture with scion xD rims

 

Here is what we did to my friends Corolla & it looks great.

 

Tin snips work, the compound aircraft type work better than the ordinary ones.
These El Cheapos are good enough for license plates. Good ones are about $15
Straight Cut Aviation Snips
You might want to clean up the edges with sand paper or a file

 

Unless you've got an extremely cooperative dealer, CA state law requires that they affix the front plate bracket. Just mentioning it to the salesperson probably won't be enough; there's a good chance it'll be added anyway, against your wishes.

That said, you might ask them to do it with as few holes as possible, and then visit bumperplugs[dot]com.

As far as the asymmetrically mounted plate, it reminds me of 70s era Fords. I'm not sure it satisfies my personal sense of aesthetics.