Every 10 years, the state I live in issues completely new license plates instead of just updating the registration sticker. I went to go and change my rear plates (which are the only ones on my car) and I am not able to. It has two philips screws at the top of the plate and they just keep turning (I think they're likely stripped? They don't look overly rusted to me). I've tried different phillips head screw drivers that I have at my place (which is limited) but none of them are working. I have limited tools and have Googled this issue and have seen a ton of different recommendations but thought I would post on here as this forum has been very helpful for me in the past.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

Sounds like the nut portion mounted on the back side of the plate mount is slipping. You could try to get something like vice grips or pliers on the back side and see if you can hold the nuts in place while loosening the screws.

Not 100% positive that this area is accessible, but its worth a try because the only other option i can think of would be to pull off the rear bumper cover in order to gain access..

 

Take a hacksaw blade between your fingers, just the blade, and cut the screw heads off. It will take some patience. Then replace the hardware.

 

Yeah unfortunately there's no way for me to access the backside of it :-\

 

lol is this the only option? because that seems like a tough thing for me to do without cutting myself or damaging the bracket

 

You could try using a Dremel tool to grind off the screw heads.
The only other option is to remove the rear bumper cover.
Here are the instructions from the FSM:

 

Try to get a skinny flathead screwdriver under the head of the screw prying it out towards you while you unscrew the screw with your regular screwdriver. You're probably out of luck at this point, but worth a try.

 

To cut off the heads of the bolts? No you won't cut yourself. Slip the hacksaw blade between the bolt head and the plate, then fap at it until you're done.