Invisible numberplates

[supermono]

I saw a chap yesterday on the M25 sporting a rear numberplate which appeared invisible as I approached (I was overtaking, it was in lane 2), but as I got closer and I guess my headlight angle changed sufficiently it appeared normal (other than the font).

Any ideas?

Always conscious of some imbecile with a camera taking the roof from over my family's head for no good reason, I'd like one of those myself.

Cheers
SM

[justinp1]

www.astonmartins.com/db4_5_6_s/db5_007.htm

Check out the modification on the number plate.

I dont think they do it at Halfords though.

[ratpit]

My cars got some of those !! Well, the oil slick, smoke screen and self detaching sunroof anyway.

[supermono]

Hmmm. Nope I'm sure that wasn't it. Any other ideas?

SM

[justinp1]

Seriously now:

I have seen a couple of options on the net through random browsing. There is either a clear laquer which you can paint on the plate or you can get a plate made which I believe will do the same job as how you have explained. Perhaps the reflectivity increases when there is a huge flash of light hits it (ahem... dunno why that would be useful but...).

I would have a search on Google or Ebay. Sorry I cant reccommend further as I dont have any personal experience, also I am unsure about the legality of using such a numberplate. There may be a loophole, but if there isnt you wouldnt want to be made 'an example of' which would be considerably worse than potentially being caught for speeding.

[catso]

Was it one of these;

www.buyradardetectors.com/Products/OnTrack/Super-Protector.aspx

[supermono]

No, the plate appeared to have nothing covering it. Seemed to be in the manufacture.

Hey -- maybe it was someone on here? Dark coloured Astra I think -- newish -- obviously don't know the year about 6am around J20ish, anticlockwise...

SM

[smeggy]

justinp1 said:

…… also I am unsure about the legality of using such a numberplate.

I’m not!

http://dvla.gov.uk/public/press_releases/2004/p_release_6304_1oct04.htm

"A registration plate must not be treated in any other way which renders the characters of the registration mark less easily distinguishable to [the eye or which would prevent or] impair the making of a true photographic image of the plate through the medium of camera and film or any other device"

[catso]

supermono said:

No, the plate appeared to have nothing covering it. Seemed to be in the manufacture. Hey -- maybe it was someone on here? Dark coloured Astra I think -- newish -- obviously don't know the year about 6am around J20ish, anticlockwise... SM

These are a transparent piece of plastic which you can see through head on but not at an angle, there is no reason (other than legality ) that you couldn't make a plate directly on it.

[parrot of doom]

The ones I've seen use the same principle as those 'double image' bits of plastic use that you get in cereal packets.

All illegal though. Best really to use your nonce, and only speed where there aren't speed camera signs.

[supermono]

Yes I fully subscribe to the "use your nonce" method, and with the rear plate cameras so obvious there doesn't really seem to be much excuse for getting done by them*

Just an interesting piece of gear. I don't think it was the ribbed double-image type thing though, but it wasn't that easy to check it out properly and concentrate on the road ahead.

SM
*Unless you're done whilst merging in the chaos during the A14/A11 merge eastbound where the imbeciles have decided to create the added excitement of panic braking by putting a speed camera in the middle of it! Blimey as if you don't have enough to think about merging safely without having to check if your speed happens to be above some random number!

[Cooperman]

Yes, I live near the A11/A14 junction and it really does have to be the worst piece of road engineering in the country. The idiots in charge now seem to think that a 60 limit & cameras will solve the problem - er, how, exactly?
Between Cambridge and Huntingdon is so badly engineered with too many entry/exits, bad lane markings, and just bad road design.

[supermono]

I spoke to some high up in Cambridgeshire police about this when it was being implemented. He reckoned there was a bit of an outcry. Sadly I was on the John when he called me back, and it's really hard to frame an argument with your trousers around your ankles.

His main defence seemed to be that the camera had been approved by the home secretary. Oh so that's alright then.

There are some accident remains in that area. Anyone been killed by it yet?

I tend to go through that way out of hours when the Wrath of the Camera is less powerful, must be a zoo in rush hour.

SM

[jon h]

There is a self adhesive film that does this, called "lumisty" It is totally transparent when viewed from one angle, and becomes opaque when viewed from a different angle. It is Japanese, originally developed, I am told, to prevent passers by at ground level being able to see up womens' skirts travelling in glass lifts! The film is distributed in the UK by Madico www.madico.co.uk But don't all rush out for a bit, it is up to £135 per square metre and cannot be bought in small quantities. Also, I think it does not work in contact, so would need to be on a clear plate spaced off the surface of a number plate. It is clever stuff, though!

Jon H

[ylee coyote]

smeggy said:

justinp1 said: …… also I am unsure about the legality of using such a numberplate. I’m not! http://dvla.gov.uk/public/press_releases/2004/p_release_6304_1oct04.htm "A registration plate must not be treated in any other way which renders the characters of the registration mark less easily distinguishable to [the eye or which would prevent or] impair the making of a true photographic image of the plate through the medium of camera and film or any other device"

Now then
If there is some mysterious substance which renders the plate black under IR light Used in specs/congestion charge cameras etc but is completely transparent under visible light
the above would not apply....

Roll up roll up buy your acme stealth spray only a tenner a tin....

[smeggy]

ylee coyote said:

DVLA said: "A registration plate must not be treated in any other way which renders the characters of the registration mark less easily distinguishable to [the eye or which would prevent or] impair the making of a true photographic image of the plate through the medium of camera and film or any other device" Now then If there is some mysterious substance which renders the plate black under IR light Used in specs/congestion charge cameras etc but is completely transparent under visible light the above would not apply....

I wish I could agree, but the “or any other device” at the end of the statement suggests (at least to me) that IR imaging systems are also protected.
The big question is: would the system flag up a fault, or not notice and do nothing?

[DrDeAtH]

supermono said:

Yes I fully subscribe to the "use your nonce" method......

hope this hasn't turned into a kiddy fiddling thread....


maybe u meant use your loaf?

[gtr-gaz]

Cooperman said:

Yes, I live near the A11/A14 junction and it really does have to be the worst piece of road engineering in the country. The idiots in charge now seem to think that a 60 limit & cameras will solve the problem - er, how, exactly? Between Cambridge and Huntingdon is so badly engineered with too many entry/exits, bad lane markings, and just bad road design.

Is that a 60 limit there then??

I go that way quite a lot. Having to check your speed while joining a busy dual/ 3 lane carrigeway is not the best of solutions!

I could have sworn it was a 70!