It seems I was mistaken about the front plate screw... the tamper proof screw is only for the rear, but you do still need the front in place.
Here's a photo of a typical rear plate. You can see the tamper proof screw on the left, and a typical one on the right. Newer license plates are white, not green.
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2018 ///M2 LCI, LBB, 6MT...
Current Performance Mods:
CSF FMIC, ER CP, Fabspeed Cat, Aquamist WMI, GFB DV+, NGK 97506, BM3 (Stage 2 93 OTS), CDV delete, UCP, M2C/M3/M4 Strut Brace, M3/M4 Reinforcement Rings