You will get a lot of different answers. Virginia is a front plate state and I got tired of getting pulled over or the unwanted attention, so I ride with a front plate. I thought the tow hook mounts or other temporary methods didn’t look as good.

YMMV

Rho-plate

I’ve heard of a suction cup solution that is nice for placing on the front bumper when you know you’re parking in a risky area. Remove when you get back. I haven’t been able to find one though - anyone know of one?

^^This. I’m a Virginia guy, and Virginia requires a front plate. I live in an area where the only hassle you will get is from the VASP. I have passed plenty of County Policemen with no front plate on my car and they don’t give a damn. Actually, the VASP here really doesn’t give a damn either, except for the occasional Officer here and there, and of course the ‘safety roadblock’ which checks inspection stickers, drivers license, etc. (they are really looking for DUI’s). But lack thereof gives ALL of them a reason to pull you over. My front plate bracket is held on by very strong rare earth magnets. I have the plate on, or off, depending on my assessment of the risk of being pulled over for the drive I am taking. Around town, it’s on. Tooling around on country roads it is likely off. This strategy has worked very well. However I have a Carmine Red GTS with PCCB (yellow calipers) brakes. This vehicle causes most policemen’s heads to swivel in a manner that is reminesent of the movie ‘The Exorcist’. So I wear the front plate more often than not. The car looks SO much better without the front plate, so whenever I think it’s safe, it is off.

Having said all all of that, if you live in Northen Virginia, you better have the front plate on or you WILL get pulled over, just like Hurricane said. But the magnet mount gives you a lot of options and avoids drilling holes in places that I don’t want to. YMMV