Numberplates

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 3:53 pm

finally cracked mine off a kerb at the weekend, only to reveal someone's bodged the mounting bracket before (ive got various screws holding the mounting bracket in of varying grades of rusted mild steel

So, 3/4 plate or paint plate on front clam? On the latter, andyone aware of the legality of it (me lazy!). Where's the best place to get a 3/4 plate?

Cheers

Greg

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 3:55 pm

http://www.fancyplates.com

Just about Everything that's not standard is illegal.

You can have a minimun of 15mm around the standard size letters and it must have the makers contact number on it IIRC.

Throw it in the boot.....

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:03 pm

Rich, I'm with you on the boot

I think the painted on ones are quite cool though. I've just done a bit of 'research' and the follwing is on the DVLA site:-

In Brief
All registration marks including marks purchased through DVLA's sales scheme must be displayed in accordance with The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 (obtainable from Her Majesty's Stationery Office).

Rules for the display of number plates are set out in law, briefly these are: -

A number plate must be displayed at the front and rear of motor vehicles (with some exceptions).
Number Plates must be easy to read and meet the British Standard.
Lettering should be black on a white plate at the front and a yellow at the rear.
The background surface should be reflex-reflecting but the characters must not.
There are separate requirements for traditional number plates displayed on vehicles constructed before 1 January 1973.
Lettering and spacing must be of a set size. They must conform to one of the groups shown at:- Number plates fitted after 1 September 2001 or Number plates fitted before 1 September 2001.

So - the issue is whether or not i can get a 'reflex reflective' sticker...

Sanjøy · Post by **Sanjøy** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:10 pm

Had a painted one for 3 years in London with no issues.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:15 pm

TBH no matter what it says, it is down to the plod that takes interest. I would imagine if you had a stuck-on none-reflective plate nothing would be said.

Though if they get the hump you can allegedly be done for all sorts of crap including including attempting to pervert the course of justice!

Sling it in the boot. I did, but the gate guards kept complaining as they have to check my car pass!

Scottd · Post by **Scottd** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:18 pm

IIRC there are some subtle differences between Scottish and English law with this. Plates can only be made by official suppliers in England, which is why they have to have the makers address on the plate.

I think 3/4 plates just attract attention. But a legal one 'that recently fell off' and is in the boot might get you a bit of leeway.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:20 pm

Boot.

SEOT
/SELC*CK

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 5:06 pm

Sanjoy wrote:Had a painted one for 3 years in London with no issues.

where'd you get one of them done Sanj?

Scottd · Post by **Scottd** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 5:10 pm

I was going thro the roadworks on the A90 a couple of weeks ago - the bit with the SPEC cameras that read your front plate. Passed Traffic Police hiding behind some bushes and they didn't even bother with me! Course I was going at <40, but still, can't complain.

scott

jj · Post by jj » Mon Jul 17, 2006 5:41 pm

Greg, get a small one from the shop on dumbarton road next time you are through here - my fron and rear plates are both motorbike size font and i have had no probs on my last 3 cars with them £16 a pair.

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:42 pm

Greg
I have been facing the same dilema as you having cracked the plate at the beginning of the summer. It wasn't so bad that I couldn't just stick it back on (velcro).
Since then I have caught it at least another once. The way I look at it is that it is a good guide as to whether you are about to crack the clam. I would much rather pay for a new no. plate than a repair to the calm.

I also recall reading a story on SELOC a couple of years ago about a guy who did the boot trick and was pulled by plod. He used the "oh it has just fallen off line" to which the boabie replied, "No, I have seen you for the past month, but this is the first of me nicking you"
You may want to find out what the penalty is but I am sure Simon A got away with a fine of £30, not sure about points though.

minkypotglory · Post by **minkypotglory** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 8:43 pm

Thinky........ Neil will be Replacing his when he gets it back

Mags

Post by **simon** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 8:54 pm

I've never had a fine for my numberplate!!!
Mine is a completely legal plate. Unfortunately, it bashes off the garage floor when I reverse out so sometimes falls off.

Lazydonkey · Post by **Lazydonkey** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 8:12 am

3/4 on a "normal" car looks way small and attracts attention - but on a VX / Elise it just looks normal.

Mine has been on a 3/4 with the original and now personalised reg for 18 months and I've never had any problems...............and my folks stay in INverness and we know how nasty those b*stards can be.

Standard font and spacing and [touch wood] you should be fine.

Post by **simon** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 8:58 am

I don't like 3/4 plates, they look obviously too small on any car or bike and there's no excuse if you get pulled for one. If your normal sized, legal plate falls off then what can you do about it?