This may be overkill, but I am cautious about my wife's 2014 E350 Cabriolet. She just bought it, but it does not have a front license plate , which is required in VA. I have the bracket to fit. Can I have my mechanic drill the necessary holes or should I take it to a dealer? Sorry if I am being petty!

 

We also have a front plate rule in my state. I also don't like drilling holes in my bumper. I have devised a way to drill two small holes one on each side of a factory mounting bracket. I then feed two black tie wraps through the holes and into the mesh part of the lower grill. You can hardly see them. I put the bracket in place for the annual inspection and then cut the tie wraps and remove the bracket until next year. Works like a charm. I carry the plate in the trunk just in case I get questioned (I never have been).

 

Instead of drilling holes or using zip ties, get a towhook mount. In the Republic of CA, the CHP and/or city cop can cite you for not running a front plate. So.....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bumper-Moun...ss!94568!US!-1

 

I live in VA also. I have two cars with no front plates and the first one has been since 2006, the E550 since 2013. I have never been stopped, so it's probably not an issue. Since NC has no front plate, VA cops probably don't want to wait to look at the back since so many cars here have NC plates!

 

there is a chrome color plate made specifically for our model that is bent already and fits up perfectly including screw holes to the center front where it's supposed to be

 

I'm in VA as well, but my 2015 already had this front mount attached.