Front number plate?
Poll: Front number plate?
Total Members Polled: 70
Discussion
LawrenceR said:
I seem to recall that the standard plate helps to reduce front end lift as it reduces airflow under the nose.
Yes , that's right and it channels air beautifully to the double diffuser set up on mine too....Frankly , I doubt if it makes any useful difference to the car with the drag coefficient of an automatic car wash. 3/4 size here. The full width plate looks daft on a standard S3 as it's wider than the nose. A 3/4 looks right to the eye at the same width. Doesn't stand out as being illegal and undersized.
On an SV or CSR, the full size plate would probably sit better.
Stick on plates looks wrong to me, especially if you have a stripe.
I ran without one after loosing it on the way to Le Mans one year, but I had issues come MOT time.
On an SV or CSR, the full size plate would probably sit better.
Stick on plates looks wrong to me, especially if you have a stripe.
I ran without one after loosing it on the way to Le Mans one year, but I had issues come MOT time.
SidewaysSi said:
I tried with no plate. Got stopped by police who took my details and got told to put it back on. Not worth the risk (I believe it is 3 points for an illegal plate).
A friend was stopped this year for small plates on his Westfield. Apparently he was told 3 points and up to £1000 for illegal plates, and if not corrected after a warning, the car can be impounded and the plate replaced with a Q plate 
downsman said:
I voted other, I have a personal plate that has 6 digits, so it is legal to cut off the excess at the ends. I got a standard plate and cut it down to match the width of the nose cone.
Good point. I have a four digit.Option 1 - 229 x 75
Option 2 - 330 x 111
I think I'm going to go for the latter - mostly as doesn't risk wrath of plod.
Next question ... sticky pads or self tappers?
Edited by Kiltie on Monday 31st August 11:46
SidewaysSi said:
I tried with no plate. Got stopped by police who took my details and got told to put it back on. Not worth the risk (I believe it is 3 points for an illegal plate).
I've been passed and even been behind a few police cars and got away with it so far (touch wood) - a 3/4 plate is illegal but having one that's fallen off is more passable - you would have to come across a very angry police officer to not let you go. I'm gonna google to see if I can buy spray on dead flies. !
onward said:
SidewaysSi said:
I tried with no plate. Got stopped by police who took my details and got told to put it back on. Not worth the risk (I believe it is 3 points for an illegal plate).
I've been passed and even been behind a few police cars and got away with it so far (touch wood) - a 3/4 plate is illegal but having one that's fallen off is more passable - you would have to come across a very angry police officer to not let you go. I'm gonna google to see if I can buy spray on dead flies. !
I like to drive my car hard and enjoy it. Having no plate gives them another excuse to stop me.
You see manipulated plates every day indeed some to such extreme that it is difficult to make out what they really should read. Various non DLVA font styles and pre '74 black/white style on modern vehicles are also common. With questionable plates so rife I really don't think a correctly spaced/styled 3/4 size front plate is going to attract any attention.
I have a five digit plate, cut down but still legal. Even has the proper postcode and printers/dealer name on it to keep plod happy.
I was stopped for speeding exiting a village, plod kindly gave me 'words of caution'. I can't help but think if I'd had dodgy plates I would perhaps have been done.
I was stopped for speeding exiting a village, plod kindly gave me 'words of caution'. I can't help but think if I'd had dodgy plates I would perhaps have been done.
I run a 3/4 size plate with a normal full length registration - no problems here, it's almost impossible to recognise anything wrong with it.
However if you only have a 4 character reg, you might be better off sticking with a legal one and cutting it down to minimum size. I believe you need to leave a minimum of 11mm between the lettering and edge of the plate and the rest can be legally cut away. That will probably leave you with a plate that fits a caterham quite well.
A 3/4 size, 4 character plate might might look conspicuously small. Perhaps buy one of each and see which you're more comfortable with.
However if you only have a 4 character reg, you might be better off sticking with a legal one and cutting it down to minimum size. I believe you need to leave a minimum of 11mm between the lettering and edge of the plate and the rest can be legally cut away. That will probably leave you with a plate that fits a caterham quite well.
A 3/4 size, 4 character plate might might look conspicuously small. Perhaps buy one of each and see which you're more comfortable with.
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