Number Plates

[concerned cat]

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=351135&f=15&h=0

Thoughts on this one please.

Gemini, is there an official stance?

[jagdpanther]

I cant speak from a plod perspective, but I know that the size of the numberplate, the size and font of the lettering and the distancing between them must correspond to the manufacturers (or DVLA) specifications for the year of the vehicle.

The bottom middle apprently must only contain the garage name and number and the side bar (on newer cars) must clearly display the country of residence


Personally Im not sure how many checks are performed on no# plates as I have seen some exceedingly dodgey ones that are damn near illegible

[concerned cat]

I've been running a 3/4 size plate on the front for the last 6 months. 3d letters (approved font though} & honeycombe background. No dealer name or postcode.

[jagdpanther]

concerned cat said:

I've been running a 3/4 size plate on the front for the last 6 months. 3d letters (approved font though} & honeycombe background. No dealer name or postcode.

Im not sure if 3d font and honeycomb background is illegal...there is actually a full document (PDF) about it on the DVLA website somewhere

I had to read through it when I ordered my plates because they have the BMW logo under the GB sign on the right and and at the bottom it says "Burgundy Battlecruiser" but apparently its not too bad

[pbsaxman]

jagdpanther said:

I cant speak from a plod perspective, but I know that the size of the numberplate, the size and font of the lettering and the distancing between them must correspond to the manufacturers (or DVLA) specifications for the year of the vehicle.

The bottom middle apprently must only contain the garage name and number and the side bar (on newer cars) must clearly display the country of residence


Personally Im not sure how many checks are performed on no# plates as I have seen some exceedingly dodgey ones that are damn near illegible

The side bar is not compulsory but if it is there it may only contain the national or EU flag. They must contain the manufacturers name and contact and the BS number. The letter spacing must be as the BS and not adapted in any way to change the appearance of letters or numbers. Not sure about the gel lettering but I guess as long as its standard size etc you'd probably get away with it. This is all as per the BS, but I guess it would depend how nice the police person you come across is, as to how far you can stray from the norm.

[jagdpanther]

pbsaxman said:

The side bar is not compulsory but if it is there it may only contain the national or EU flag. They must contain the manufacturers name and contact and the BS number. The letter spacing must be as the BS and not adapted in any way to change the appearance of letters or numbers. Not sure about the gel lettering but I guess as long as its standard size etc you'd probably get away with it. This is all as per the BS, but I guess it would depend how nice the police person you come across is, as to how far you can stray from the norm.

[A - W]

CC,

The info I think you want:

www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/leaflets/displayofnumberplates.pdf

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

jagdpanther said:

The bottom middle apprently must only contain the garage name and number and the side bar (on newer cars) must clearly display the country of residence

Not quite. Any dealer supplying plates must place their post code at the bottom. That is to do with the supply of, rather than the application of number plates.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

..and as already stated, no requirement for country code

[concerned cat]

A - W said:

CC,

The info I think you want:

www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/leaflets/displayofnumberplates.pdf

Thanks for that. I still wonder if Plod will pull me though.........

[burriana]

To answer your particular concern Mark - yes they are illegal, simple as that. Whether you will get stopped and how they deal with it is purely down to what sort of day the officer is having.

I ran a white rear plate on the 911, simply because I had a spare one and it looked nice. Every time I passed a Traffic car I expected to get stopped but never did in 6 months.

I also have a black L/H end panel but it has the Euro stars and GB.

ENG - SCO - WLS are all not acceptable according to the rules I last read ... however I could find nothing that said the yellow stars (they must be yellow) had to be on a BLUE background

Oh, apart from the plate suppliers details (but mine came from Ireland officer, I had no idea - good old Fancy plates!) you should have no other stickers or details ... that'll be the PH smiley then


Basically - if you don't take the p!55 you should be ok most of the time ... no guarantee though.

[gemini]

reply from off duty cop!

they are illegal.

chances of getting pulled though are really low - priorities and all that!
but
if you get pulled for another offence and the cop is feeling thorough you may get done.

[concerned cat]

Thanks Al & Rich for your replies. I think I'll stick with it for the time being.

[burriana]

gemini said:

and the cop is feeling thorough ...

That's quite a novel way of putting it

[Daftlad]

gemini said:

reply from off duty cop!

Does such a thing exist

Edited by Daftlad on Thursday 1st February 17:42

[jagdpanther]

I wasnt far off

[The_Doc]

gemini said:

reply from off duty cop!

they are illegal.

chances of getting pulled though are really low - priorities and all that!
but
if you get pulled for another offence and the cop is feeling thorough you may get done.

A friend's plate is not quite spaced quite exactly totally completley correctly, but the letters are all legit and no sneaky black screwcaps in place..
Anyhow I always think it's going to be a cumulative thing with the police.
ie: trafic officer sees you with dodgy plate, doing 35 in a 30, perhaps a brake light out and whaddayouknow the flashinglights are on. You've just tipped him over the edge and proved you aren't a law abiding member of the road community.

If you are driving safely down the road, with a safe car at a safe speed, and just some sneaky spacing of the letters.... you're probably safe.

But I may be wrong.

[gefopsman]

Just one thing to be aware of.

The font is now very specific as is the requirement to have suppliers details and BS number at the bottom of the plate.

If, however, you have had the plates for a few years or sourced them while in Scotland them the law can't touch you on these bits.

The font is chosen specifically to be easy to read for scameras. Modern plates even have to meet a specific luminosity to assist with revenue generation.