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

[THUNDER STORM]

Sounds to me that you can have smaller plate.

Ade

[gsd2000]

So r8 and cv8 owners can legally fit smaller plates to fit the recess as long as they are 5 digits long

[V88Dicky]

Good, it's been a long time coming.

[the_ferret82]

i would say that includes 7 digit plates as well

[ARAF]

gsd2000 said:

So r8 and cv8 owners can legally fit smaller plates to fit the recess as long as they are 5 digits long

Except I believe the cars could well have whole vehicle type approval.

I wonder if Dougie or Stu can help with this?

[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.....

[007 VXR]

is the 6.0vxr approved ??

[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

[the hitman001]

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.

HTH as have asked a cousin of mine who is high up in the traffic division

[the_ferret82]

behold81 said:

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

there where 800 monaro's imported and 567 VXR8's

[ARAF]

behold81 said:

Any HSV - GTS owner will not have European approval.

Quite agree. Any car (or truck) that is on the logbook as a Holden or HSV will only have been SVA tested at most.

[Magic919]

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.

[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.

[gsd2000]

Bump

[desert fox]

Just checked with VOSA. If the car is Type Approved for the EU, then it will be stamped on the Vin plate starting with an E followed by a * and then more stars and numbers.

I wonder how many bonnets will be up tonight?

By the way mines a VXR8 2009. Or an HSV if you're a copper.

Edited by desert fox on Tuesday 2nd November 16:35

[desert fox]

Right. Just checked my Vin Number. If Im right, then its under the airbox on top of the left wheel arch. It shows the chassis number , axle type etc, but there is no E number stating approval.

When I spoke with VOSA they said they couldn't tell me if the car was approved. However, they suggested that I contact [e-mail] and he would be able to tell me if the car has approval for the EU.

Is somebody willing to contact him?

If I read the postings correctly, if there is no EU approval number then we don't have to abide to the number plate size, is this correct? If so what other little benefits can we use?

[desert fox]

Ok. Just sent an email. I will post the reply.

Here's hoping.

[monkfish1]

Niether car has Whole Type European Approval.

[MidnightXR6]

as the rear of the falcon has a space of around 18 and half inches the number plate manufacturers said it was legal to cut off the left hand side as long as the bsa on the right hand side and use motorcycle letters to allow this. Although i have to show that it was an import and checked byh vosa which i did.

Even halfords had to contact the plate makers as it was special order but they said the same.