License plates are a vital part of the car, as they help law enforcement identify your vehicle if it’s involved in a collision. The license plate screw sizes and type can make all the difference when finding out who was at fault! So, what sizes of license plate screws should you get? We use 12mm diameter metal rods spaced 4 inches apart; our standard plates measure 6″ wide by 12″ in America. Other countries have their standards – some require different shapes or sizes due to varying thicknesses across borders.
If you want to secure your license plate on the car, you must use a screw size appropriate for its thickness. Not all screws work well with certain plates, so determine which one will be perfect beforehand.
When installing any screws into metal surfaces, try not over-tighten them as this could damage the license plate. Moreover, most people don’t know what size the screws should be and instead use larger bolts or other screws for their needs.
This lack of knowledge can lead them towards issues down the line where one might try using too-large nuts on top of smaller screw threads, making installation extremely difficult. So to help you out, we have listed down all the types and sizes of license plate screws.
Why Is License Plate Screw Size Important For Cars?
A license plate screw is very much important for all vehicles. The purpose of the screws is to keep the license plates fixed on your car’s body so that the police can quickly identify it.
They keep the license plate in place and prevent it from falling off, which is a problem that can lead to fines or tickets. The best license plate screws must be durable and, at the same time, not so expensive to cause an additional drain on your pocket.
Here are some of the most important facts about license plate screws that every driver should know. These simple tips could save you time and money when installing new license plates on your car, truck, or boat!
Do You Know What License Plate Screw Size To Use?
Nuts and bolts come in different sizes, like 1/8 inch or 3/16 inch. That’s because screws are long and narrow with ahead on the top. Nuts are round, flat discs that match the shape of the screw head. They’re placed on the bottom of a screw and tightened to hold it in place.
So, what is a license plate screw size? That depends on three main factors: the width of your license plates, the thickness of your car’s paint job, and where you want to install the screws that hold those plastic license plates to your vehicle.
Width of Your License Plate
License plates are measured inches by the total width, including the metal mounting brackets. The proper screw size for your license plate depends on how wide your plates are. Most states require you to install screws at least two inches apart to make it harder to pry them loose with a crowbar or screwdriver. Here’s an example:
Your new license plate has a 6 x 12 inches measurement, meaning that it’s 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide. That means you should use 2-inch long screws when installing it because two inches is half of the total length (including mounting brackets).
Thickness Of Your Vehicle’s Paint Job
A car manufacturer paints its vehicles using a certain thickness of paint. The average automotive clear coat is between 4 and 5 millimeters thick.
When choosing a license plate screw size, you need to make sure that they’re long enough to go through the steel brackets on your car as well as the sliver of wood below the paint job.
If you use screws that are too short or too thin, you can damage your vehicle’s paint job when installing those plastic plates on its metal brackets.
How Far Apart Should You Install License Plate Screws?
It depends on how wide your license plates are, but most states require you to leave at least two inches between each screw hole with a total distance of four inches between opposite screws.
For example: if there are two holes on each side of your license plate, you need to leave at least four inches between the two bolts on the right side and four inches between the two bolts on the left.
Types of Screw For License Plates
License plates are necessary for every car, but they can also be an eyesore. While some people prefer the look of traditional license plates with screws on the side, others like to upgrade and get new types. If you’re not sure what kind of screw would fit your vehicle best, here is a list:
Slim Line
These screws come in different shapes and sizes, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. They usually come with small heads that don’t protrude much from the plate itself because they have to fit into recessed holes or slots in your bumper.
Sport Line
These types of screws have large heads that stick out about ¼ inch from where it’s mounted. You should use them on bumpers that don’t have plastic covers. It is the most common type of screw for new vehicles, so it’s easy to find one online if you need a replacement.
BMW OEM
If you want something more unique, BMW OEM screws come in different lengths and finishes but tend to cost more than Slim Line or Sport Line screws.
Shadow Line
Shadow Line screws are the best to use if you have a BMW because they fit perfectly with your car’s design and look like part of it rather than an add-on accessory.
Star Line
Star Line is another option for BMW owners with star shapes instead of traditional screw heads. These types of license plate fasteners usually come in chrome, black, or satin finishes to match the style of your car.
Flat Line
The last type is Flat Line which is similar to Slim Line screws but has low-profile heads that sit flush with the license plate itself. They work well on bumpers without plastic covers because they don’t stick out like Sport Line screws.
Now that you know about the different types of screws for license plates, it’s easy to find one that fits your car. If you’re not sure which type to get, do some research online or take your vehicle to a dealership, and they can help you choose the best option. No matter what style you choose, make sure the screw is made of high-quality materials to ensure that it lasts for years.
Here’s a comparison of the common license plate screws
How Do You Read And Measure Screw Sizes?
When purchasing new screws for plastic plates, you need to know how wide they are by measuring their length. Here’s an easy way to measure that using a regular ruler.
- First, place the ruler on top of your license plate with its short end touching one screw hole. Ensure no space between the ruler and the inside edges of your license plate holes. If there is, use another screw size or move closer together both bolts (if possible) before continuing.
- Next, mark the length of your license plate screw size on the ruler with a marker or piece of tape. For example, a 6-inch long screw (with two mounting brackets) will require you to purchase 2-inch screws for your plastic plates.
- Another tip is to use a flexible measuring tape and measure the width between both holes that run along your license plate’s top and bottom edges and add them together. For example, one hole is 3/4 inch wide, and another one is 1/2 inch wide – so, if you add them together, it’ll equal 1-1/4 inches which equals the proper license plate screw size you need: 1-1/4 inches long screws.
License Plate Screw Types and Sizes (By Car Brands)
License plate screws are the small metal pieces that attach your license plates to your vehicle. They come in many different types and sizes, so it’s important to know what kind of screw you need for your car before you go shopping for them.
Let’s look at popular car brands’ different license plate screws and their size specifications.
Audi
The screws for Audi license plates are M12xP0.75. The screw length is 12 mm, and the thread size is 0.75 mm.
BMW
The screws for BMW license plates are M12xP0.50. The screw length is 12 mm, and the thread size is 0.50 mm.
Chevrolet Vehicles
The screws for Chevrolet vehicles license plates are M12xP0.75 or M14xP0.75, depending on the car’s model year. The screw length is either 12 or 14 mm, and the thread size is 0.75 mm or 0..50 mm, respectively).
Ford F-150
The screws for Ford F-150 license plates are M12xP0.50. The screw length is 12 mm, and the thread size is 0.50 mm.
Honda Vehicles
The screws for Honda car license plates are M12xP0.50 or M14xP0.75, depending on the car’s model year. The screw length is 12 or 14 mm, and the thread size is 0.50 mm or 0.75 mm, respectively).
Nissan Vehicles
The screws for these license plates are M12xP0.50 or M14xP0.75, depending on the model year. The screw length is either 12 or 14 mm, and the thread size is 0.50 or 0..75, respectively).
Ram Trucks
The screws for Ram truck license plates range from M12xP0.75 to M16X P050, with most screws being around 14 X P025 in size M14XP050 in use as well as M14xP0.75 and 14XP025. The screw length is 12 mm, and the thread size is 0.50 mm.
Toyota
The screws for Toyota vehicles’ license plates are M14xP0.75 or M16xP0.80, depending on the car’s model year. The screw length is either 14 or 16mm, and the thread size is 0.75/or 08, respectively).
Subaru
The screws for Subaru vehicles’ license plates range from M12xP0.75 to M16xP050, with most screws being around M14xP055 in size.
| Screw Type | Diameter | Height | Material |
| F-150 (1B) Screws | 1/4-20 x 3/4″ | .65″ | Phosphate Coated Steel |
| Chevrolet Vehicles | 6-32 x 1/2″ | .16″ | Stainless Steel screws |
| Honda | 3x5mm x 3x5mm | 1.25mm | Stainless steel screws |
| Toyota | M4 x 7mm | 10mm | Stainless steel screws |
| Nissan Vehicles | 10mm x 1.25mm | 6mm | Stainless steel |
| Subaru | 2×6 Torx (RH) | M4 X 20mm | 40-60 mm | Stainless steel |
| BMW | 5x12mm Torx (LC)|M4 x 20mm | 50mm | Stainless steel |
| Ram Truck Screws | M5 x 14mm | 25-35 mm | Stainless steel |
As you can see, the type and size of screws used to attach a license plate vary depending on the car’s make and model. Be sure to use suitable screws when attaching your license plate!
Where To Buy Your License Plate Screws?
So you’ve got a nice new license plate (or two), and now you want to screw it onto your car, but where do you get those screws? You could go out and buy the specific screws that the Department of Motor Vehicles says to use for your state.
But here are some cheaper and easier ways to acquire these little metal bits!
eBay
The best place by far is eBay, and often the screws sell for about $1-$2 per piece. The manufacturer seems to be Round-Trip in China, but many people sell the same thing under private labels.
You can easily find them by searching “2Pcs Car Front Rear License Plate Frame Screws P526” They come in several different finishes, including gold, aluminum, chrome, and black.
Replicas From Dealership Parts Department
Another option is to check your local dealership’s parts department. Sometimes they will also have them there, and they usually have [2pcs front, rear rustproof license plate screws P526] or [2pcs license plate screw nuts p938].
How To Replace Your License Plate Screw?
The screws on a license plate are known to get loose from the pounding of road debris and time passing by. It can be frustrating because you must keep tightening them for your plate to stay on.
To replace these screws, you need a screwdriver that fits in the slots of the head of your screw. You also need a drill with a 3/16″ bit. Replacing a license plate screw might sound daunting, but it’s pretty straightforward.
All you’ll need is:
- Your car’s manual.
- A flat-head screwdriver, or if you can’t find that, one of those bent bobby pin things will work too.
That’s it! So let’s go over how to replace this license plate screw together. And don’t worry; we’ll be super careful not to scratch your paint job or damage any other part of your vehicle, or risk voiding your warranty.
Instructions:
- Use a flathead screwdriver to loosen the metal strip beneath the license plate. It should only take three good turns, so don’t force it.
- Take off your current screws and keep them somewhere safe.
- Using your flathead screwdriver again, insert it into the gap between the metal strip and the license plate.
- Slide your screwdriver horizontally to pry off the metal strip. Your driver should be able to slide easily through the groove, but try another area or use more force if it isn’t.
- After you get one side of the strip off, lifting the rest of the way should be pretty easy.
- Add some new screws or bolts and attach your replacement plate! It’s as simple as that!
How To Install The Front License Plate Bracket On A Chevy Cruze?
Check Out How to Install The Front License Plate Bracket On a Chevy Cruze:
- With some screwdrivers, remove the front bumper piece. It usually has six screws that hold the bumper in place, and it’s pretty easy to remove and take off the bumper piece.
- Now, here comes the tricky part. Open your license plate holder and set them up like this “T” formation. Then make a line where the top holes of your bracket will be.
- Drill a hole on that line. Ensure that the top holes are at least 1 inch from the edge of your bumper. You can mark it by placing a marker between the hole and the rim.
- The next step is to drill the other two holes near the bottom screw points of the license plate holder. You should make another line here before drilling them out.
- Drill them out about half an inch from their sides because you need to put them at a different angle than the T formation part. And drill all four holes with a 5/16 size bit.
- Now, just put your license plate holder on the two holes you drilled; make sure it’s straight.
- Put your license plate bracket on top of your holder and mark where you want to drill the final two holes.
- Drill them out but make sure not to make them too tight because sometimes rubber stoppers might get in the way, so don’t drill them too tight.
That’s pretty much it, and it looks a lot better now after installing the front license plate bracket on Chevy Cruze.
How To Remove License Plate Screws?
Step 1: You will need your wrench or socket set for this step. There are several different nuts with different-sized heads, so ensure you have the correct one before starting.
Step 2: Place the wrench or socket on top of the nut. Turn it to either the left or right to loosen.
Step 3: After you have loosened your license plate screw, you will need something thin but sturdy to pry it out with. A small flathead screwdriver might work if it is flexible enough. Otherwise, you can use a thin metal bar or another one of your tools.
Place the screwdriver under the head of the license plate screw and pry it out.
Step 4: You may need to apply more pressure if there is still some resistance. You don’t want to damage anything, so be careful not to slip.
Step 5: Place the license plate screw in a plastic bag after removing it. It will prevent any rust from forming on your screw if it gets wet when cleaning the area.
FAQs
Are screws for license plates universal?
Screws on license plates are not the same size across all car models, but they usually come in a kit from the dealer. The most common screw size for car license plate screws is 7mmx1.0 thread type, but various brackets and kits will come with different screw sizes to fit your vehicle.
These days, most new cars come with their mounting screws, but it is best to double-check. Before purchasing a license plate mount, be sure to measure the back of your current plate so you can order the correct size and style for replacement screws.
What kind of Tool is used to remove license plate bolts?
Cars usually have five-bolt heads that you need to remove. These are typically Torx bits or star-shaped heads requiring a special socket to remove.
You can try using vice grips, but it might damage the head, making it very hard to get off later. So, a simple screwdriver or Allen wrench will suffice even if you cannot access a ratchet.
Final Considerations
License plates are a necessity in many states. The license plate screws have been stolen from cars in some areas because they’re worth money on the black market.
If you live in an area where this has been a problem and want to avoid it happening to your car, or if you want peace of mind, it won’t happen. We recommend you buy license plate screws of the correct size.
In this way, the screws won’t loosen up, and the license plate won’t fall off, which will prevent you from getting into trouble.
