Congrats on our purchase. Yes, you have to drill holes. Depending on your year (which you did not state in your avatar) you might be able to get a tow hook/plate holder that is clean and easy to install. There has been much written about this topic.

There is a search panel in the upper right hand corner of this forum page. It reads "Google Custom Search". Type maybe license plate holder in there and see what comes up. The CTSV group has had many discussions.

 

It`s the 2011 model. I don`t mind drilling the holes, I just need to make sure I don`t drill into anything important and don`t deploy the air bags.

I`ve read a lot of threads about the license plate bracket but they all seem to be related to removing it.

 

Go back to the dealer where you bought the car and ask them for the license plate holder and install it.

 

That's right, CTEss. I would think that by law they have to supply you with one. I don't think that way because we don't have no stinkin' front license plates. So why did you think of it? lol.

 

I thought of it because I'm so glad we don't need one.

 

No don't drill holes you will regret it. Try tie-wrapping it to the lower grill.

 

They are usually on eBay. I threw mine out and made one from aluminum sheet metal so it's hidden by the license plate. I can mail a paper copy of the template to you so you can cut one out of aluminum using just sizzors. It mounted on the same bolt holes as the factory bracket using sheet metal screws. A friend who works in a Cadillac collision shop told me the airbag switches are on the radiator support.

 

A friend who works in a Cadillac collision shop told me the airbag switches are on the radiator support.

I did not know that.

 

I would definitely not go with the standard dealer-applied license plate (LP) bracket mount - which involves 4 holes being drilled into the front fascia and the bracket installed using 4 rivets. When the job is complete the LP bracket ruins the look of the front of the car, imo, because it sits too high and obscures part of the upper grille.
It's much better to attach the LP bracket further down (bracket oriented upside-down) over the lower grille using a couple of long nylon cable ties. As is250sp stated above, do not drill holes, you will regret it. Here's a photo of my '11 CTS with the LP bracket applied lower down where it belongs. If I ever choose to remove the bracket it's a 1 minute job and there will be no traces of it ever having been there.

 

I would definitely not go with the standard dealer-applied license plate (LP) bracket mount - which involves 4 holes being drilled into the front fascia and the bracket installed using 4 rivets. When the job is complete the LP bracket ruins the look of the front of the car, imo, because it sits too high and obscures part of the upper grille.
It's much better to attach the LP bracket further down (bracket oriented upside-down) over the lower grille using a couple of long nylon cable ties. As is250sp stated above, do not drill holes, you will regret it. Here's a photo of my '11 CTS with the LP bracket applied lower down where it belongs. If I ever choose to remove the bracket it's a 1 minute job and there will be no traces of it ever having been there.

Thanks for sharing this! I just mounted my license plate bracket (upside down) on the lower grill with bundle ties. Worked great! I didn’t want it covering my upper grill. My Caddy may be old, but she’s new to me!

 

I have an old metal bracket I will use, it only needs two holes and the bracket itself is not that noticeable once the plate is on.

I need to have the plate right in the middle because I advertise my website on my plates and I need the space on both sides to stick the "www." and ".ca".

 

:hmm: Curious. 5 posts and counting from members who live in a state that doesn't require a front plate.

 

I just bought a 2009 CTS from a state not having two plates (MI) but mine does (WA). I def don't want to drill and am curious about the lower grill option --I am planning to upgrade to the fine mesh grille though

 

Don't bother, run without a front plate break the law. the cops can't be bothered
stopping you for noncompliance. I live in Illinois I see a lot of cars running with no
front plate. If my CTS didn't come with one I wouldn't put one.
thanks, Douglas

 

No way would I put a front plate on. If you are swapping out a grill, if you get stopped by the cops, I would tell them you had a front end accident. When they fixed it the body shop never found your front plate.

 

if the cop is a dickhead, and believe it or not, there are some of them cruising around. If I
didn't already have the holes drilled, I'd figure something else out. thanks, douglas

 

Is that the Standard License plate bracket provided by the dealer? I like the look, just concerned that about the stress on the plastic grill where the zip ties are. Have you had any problems?
Thanks

 

Man, is that an ugly license plate, lol!

 

Live in CA, front plates are required. haven't had them on since June 2015 when an accident required a new front grille. Never been ticketed or pulled over for this. Have gotten several parking tickets and speeding tickets since the repair but the cops never give me crap about it or about my tinted front windows (another no no in CA).

I specifically told the advisor like 5 times not to drill new holes.

I keep the old license plate and bracket in the trunk of the car, it's a bit busted looking from the accident. If a cop ever pulls me over, I am planning on saying that it fell off and I'm on the way to the auto body shop to get it installed.