Personalised number plates...legal?

[alexkp]

I just bought a personalised plate from the DVLA - a point for anyone who can guess what it is - not hard.

Anyhow, how much letter manouvering do you think you can get away with? It seems ridiculous that on the one hand is the DVLA making a packet out of selling personal plates, and on the other hand is the Govt. saying don't personalise your plates.

Only in Britain.

Has anyone with personalised plates been stopped / fined / or know anyone who has?

[dazren]

I had a letter through the post about 5 years ago for a plate that just omitted the gap between the letters and the numbers on a three letters followed by 2 numbers private plate (all standard font etc). Since then I have never even considered buying a plate that needs "spacing" to mean anything.

DAZ

[alexkp]

Doh....!

[v8smith]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

From experience you will not find a shop that will alter the spacing or font at all the rules have changed recently!! I wanted the space between the numbers and letters to be as the other spaces and was told its not possible!

Mike
PS if you do find a shop that will change spacing let me know...!

[alexkp]

I have already had the plates made - they would alter the spacing if I signed a disclaimer saying the plates were for show use.

Email me if you want the shop details - I'll email you back tonight.

[Pies]

v8smith said:

anonymous said: [redacted] From experience you will not find a shop that will alter the spacing or font at all the rules have changed recently!! I wanted the space between the numbers and letters to be as the other spaces and was told its not possible! Mike PS if you do find a shop that will change spacing let me know...!

www.fancyplates.com

Will make any plate you like and to your size I.E the rear is approx 10mmm narrower than normal

[swindorski46]

Theres a big debate on the speed plod and the law bit about this, under small front plate, I think.

I had dodgy spacing on mine and never had any trouble with the law until I got pulled for speeding a couple of months back. The copper just told me to get it changed and that would be it, I didn't and he saw me again last week and gave me a £30 fine.

Needless to say I have changed it now.

Up until the speeding incident I'd had no trouble and in my opinion was unlikely to be pulled for that alone. Just keep your nose clean.

[alexkp]

I should think so to. It's criminals like you that threaten the entire fabric of our society, and make it unsafe for drug dealers, rapists and armed robbers to go about their lawful business.


Seriously, I am beginning to think about having some new plates made with less "space play". Can you get points on your licence for being nicked with unsatisfactory plates?

[xxplod]

No points. It is usually dealt with by way of Non-Endorsable FPN, i.e £30. You could of course elect to go to court, where you could be fined a great deal more, plus costs.
However, shouldn't say it, but... if BiB does NOT take a photo of your plate I'd fill in the back of ticket requesting a court hearing. The case is very likely to be dropped.
You ain't seen me, right?

[swindorski46]

xxplod said:

if BiB does NOT take a photo of your plate I'd fill in the back of ticket requesting a court hearing. The case is very likely to be dropped.

Pretty sure he didn't take a photo of it...but then again, it's 30 sheets and probably not worth the hassle. I'll certainly remember to see whether they do next time.

Even though I won't need to as I've changed my plates.

Maybe for a friend then, or something.

[andyf007]

Same here, got pulled purely for the plate having the wrong font (nothing exotic), making the letters 10mm too small. The officer said it is because people (meaning the police) can't read the number plate at 25mtrs. My reply of "I would be more concerned about the eyesight of the other driver" didn't go down too well. It's more to do with specs cameras than anything useful IMO.

Andy

[Hoover33]

All this advise is to late for mine.... non standard spacing and non standard font, and a startigically placed screw ..... just got to send papers of to transfer plate onto car now

Plate done on the net.. no papers required... forgot about smaller rear plate, succesfully cut down using a good tile cutter

ohh well may be an or two coming

[swindorski46]

Just put the full story of my number plate incident on the "speed, plod and the law" section.

If you don't get in trouble for anything else then generally I reckon it's worth the risk.

It's only 30 sheets a pop anyway!!

L.A.- If only!!!

[TVRDAVE]

I really shouldn’t be in this post BUT could someone please give me the readers digest version of how your plates work. We buy vanity plates, the person and it can be registered to any car you own but only one at a time. Mine is ITSA TVR. As long as nobody has it you are fine. Cost $265.00 Canadian. (110.00 pounds) It is mine until I turn it in or sell it.
Ok How does yours work.


Dave

[andyf007]

TVRDAVE said:

I really shouldn’t be in this post BUT could someone please give me the readers digest version of how your plates work. We buy vanity plates, the person and it can be registered to any car you own but only one at a time. Mine is ITSA TVR. As long as nobody has it you are fine. Cost $265.00 Canadian. (110.00 pounds) It is mine until I turn it in or sell it. Ok How does yours work. Dave

Complex territory Dave, but basically when a car is bought from new it is given a registration number to indicate it's year of manufacture and the area of the car dealership.

Start here for the legal stuff
www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/regmarks/reg_marks_current_requirements.htm

Here for the current plate regs
www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/regmarks/reg_marks_current_system.htm

Andy

[TVRDAVE]

Complex territory. That seems to be an understatement.
Thanks


Dave