Smaller number plate

[Gazza450]

Having removed the front number plate plinth from my V8V I refitted my number plate to the front bumper using double sided tape, so no unsightly screws! However I thought it would look even better with a smaller plate. I bought a smaller plate online and fitted it at the weekend and IMHO it does look much better but is it legal and will it get through an MOT. I realise I Have yet to post a photo of my car so in the forums view it doesn't exist but any thoughts great fully received. Also, how do you attach pictures to a post?? Cheers G

[JulianPH]

Click on "Upload an Image (beta)" above, when sending a message. This will attach it.

As for the plate, I am sure someone else here can highlight the rules (I can't!).

[66MK]

Here is the link to the Gov website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...

Short version:

Name and address of plate manufacturer
Standard size font and spacing
Minimum border size - 11mm

Key there is 'minimum' anything more than 11mm is not required, so can be trimmed.

Mine is 100% legal:

[CRA1G]

Yes,i did it with mine,Min 11mm from letter/number from the outer edge and height springs to mind and i had no problems with the MOT..

[Gazza450]

Thanks for the replays. Does anyone know what the penalty is for not having a legal plate?

[J12KJR]

I had mine made up to suit the guidelines but without the plate manufacturers details, passed it's first MOT last month no problem.

Standard font with standard spacing/sized digits means ANPR and Safety (Revenue Generating) cameras can read the plate and that seems to be all that officialdom seems to really care about.

Fine for illegal plates can be up to £1000 I believe.

[divetheworld]

Gazza450 said:

Thanks for the replays. Does anyone know what the penalty is for not having a legal plate?

Not as bad as the sh it that will befall you for repeatedly breaking the rules.

Pics up or else!!

[IanV12VR]

Gazza450 said:

Thanks for the replays. Does anyone know what the penalty is for not having a legal plate?

I have a friend who has a small plate on the front of his Aston, as in font size, and he has been pulled twice. Not fined but the DVLA have been notified on each occasion. He has gone to the standard font size on a slightly bigger plate because as he understand it after three reports to the DVLA the right to use your plate is withdrawn. On the basis that his is a very special plate worth quite a bit he has succumbed. Shame - but it still looks good.

[66MK]

divetheworld said:

Not as bad as the sh it that will befall you for repeatedly breaking the rules.

Pics up or else!!

[xcentric]

General view is that police will rarely pull you for just the number plate, but will add it to the issues if pulled, and possibly look less kindly on any initial infraction anyway.

Many online places with provide legal plates with manufacturer info so small it's not noticeable, and will do shorter plates with 11mm boundaries which are legal. Seems the best bet to me, and what we have on the Caterham.

[bogie]

I have a 3/4 size front plate on my car since 2002, on the Vantage since 2007 and was pulled once in 2010. Its legal font and style, just 3/4 of the size.

The guys that pulled me over had a chat about the car, said they should give me a producer, I said I had the full size plate at home, they ran their checks and sent me on my way with a "have a nice day" (no producer)

Wouldn't worry about it, so long as you have a legal font and its not silly small, or mis-spaced so you cant read it.

[Gazza450]

Thanks guys , I'm now far more concerned about what will befall me for repeated flouting of the PH rules. Pictures at the weekend, provided I can make the technology work! Cheers G

[ace of the base]

I had small plates on both Caterhams and a Cobra (not inconspicuous vehicles) in the past and was never pulled up.
Probably not driving fast enough!!

[Ken Figenus]

Try to work within the rules as there is a fair amount of leeway and some manufacturers will crop it in tight to the legal limit. I used one supplier who had a preset size and it worked out about 5% less than the legal min size but that will take an eagle eyed copper with a vernier gauge to prosecute! Looks a lot neater as it sits nicely between on teh bodywork between the two front grilles now rather than overlapping them. Has also added horsepower due to better cooling

[HBradley]

These are worth a look & they're legal!
https://www.fourdotdesignerplates.co.uk/cars/produ...

[Zod]

Mine has legally sized characters, but the borders are a little small, so I have a full-sized plate in the boot that I put on for MOT. I fix them with strong velcro.

[Gazza450]

Apologies for the delay in posting pictures of my P&j complete with smaller plate!

[bogie]

Looks great

[Gazza450]

Thanks, I think it looks much better but just hope that Plod agrees. Anyway given the horrible weather north of the border I suspect it will be a few weeks until I can put it to the test.

[66MK]

Gazza450 said:

Thanks for the replays. Does anyone know what the penalty is for not having a legal plate?

Consequence? Everyone thinking your a bit of a kn0b?

Car looks really nice by the way - love the colour Could have cropped a little more on the ends of those plates so in my opinion no chance of offending plod as long as the font is legit!

Edited by 66MK on Sunday 5th February 22:30

Edited by 66MK on Sunday 5th February 22:31