DVLA Final Confirmation on Numberplate Rules

[behold81]

After the last set of questions on what sets a car to being imported and allows it to have a smaller numberplate I sent a mail to the DVLA to ask. The result beyond the easy to find was this..

DVLA said:

Dear Mr Pugh

Thank you for your email received on 29/9/10. Your email reference number is 473599.

I can confirm that if a new or used vehicle is registered without European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval and the standard plate does not fit, the smaller plate can be fitted.

Do not reply to this email. If you wish to contact us again about this response then please use our Reply Form or copy and paste the following URL in to your browser:

https://emaildvla.direct.gov.uk/emaildvla/cegemail/directgov/en/reply_form_vehicles.html

When filling in the form the email reference number 473599 will be required.

Regards

J Salmon
Customer Enquiries Group
DVLA

Edited by behold81 on Tuesday 5th October 10:48

[behold81]

Any HSV - GTS owner will not have European approval. So you all can go smaller! even though a 5 digit UK plate fits Im still arguing that HSV designed it to have a smaller height plate for air flow. This said Im going to fit a 64mm plate.

If you look at the Australian plate regs there is a slim line plate. Infact for 2010 HSV are releasing an even slimer plate thats approved.

The only remaining question is all you Vauxhall owners... Are the cars European approved...

If not.... FILL YOUR BOOTS.....

[behold81]

The brief investigation would show there NOT EU Approved. This is why the volume is low to negate the need for FULL Approval. the limit is 500 for low volume approval. If This is the case then ALL Monaro's should be classed as IMPORTS.

I still need a better black and white on this before I would confirm it for you all.

Next up the VXR8

[behold81]

Magic919 said:

the hitman001 said:

There is no exemption required for a short plate if the reg is 5 or 6 digits. It's not like the imported car rules.

This is correct. Best not to confuse this with import plate rules. Unless you fancy a really diddy 5 digit plate. I won't bother.

Correct the 5 digit plate can be smaller with no issue as the spacing is between letters and then a spaced border. There is no plate size stated.

The only benifit on having an IMPORT spec plate is the font is smaller making the plate smaller in height and length. This will obstruct the intake less (Not that is is making a massive issue) And if you are on 7 digits allow your plate to fit without a bend in it.

Oh and it will look better!

Right I spoke to the VCA and they asked me to call VOSA. VOSA need a VIN NUMBER to check the approvals on the car. As im sure noone wants to give me a VIN NUMBER the phone number to call is 01792 454 385. Or PM me there vin. I need a Monaro and a VXR8.


As to the numbers being OVER 500 on the figures this could be easily worked with the different models that are imported.

The VXR8 came as a 6.0 and a 6.2 plus there flavours.
The Monaro as a 5.7 and a 6.0 plus flavours. This would make them just on engines 4 categories and under the 500..

VCA at a guess reckons they only have IVA Scheme Approval. Apparently real close to EWTA but officially it is not.