Got pulled tonight......

[Streetcop]

This is for imported cars only, I presume?

[cptsideways]

Streetcop said:

This is for imported cars only, I presume?

Correct, font size is allowed to be smaller to allow it to fit & the plate can be smaller than stanadard too. Eg Motorbike size plates can be legal.

[Streetcop]

cptsideways said:

Streetcop said: This is for imported cars only, I presume? Correct, font size is allowed to be smaller to allow it to fit & the plate can be smaller than stanadard too. Eg Motorbike size plates can be legal.

What are the most simple ways of determining whether or not a vehicle has been imported? A lot of speedos etc are replaced...

Street

[tony_996hasgone]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

....it doesn't have to be a standard length as long as you respect font style, letter size, spacing and border size....e.g. "GT4" could be on a shorter plate than "B457ARD".

[cptsideways]

Best way to determine an import (most ar ex Japan)

Rectangular number plate

Aftermarket fog light

Parking roundel on rear window

Nippon type stickers on the rear

Blingin alloys, roo bars, front fogs etc

Soy sauce stains on the inside

[Mr E]

Streetcop said:

What are the most simple ways of determining whether or not a vehicle has been imported? A lot of speedos etc are replaced...

V5.....



Erm, my insurance docs say Import. And I have Japanese writing on the interior......

Sooooo, we think I *am* allowed a bike sized font?

[Mr E]

ca092003 said:

Why bring attention to yourself by having an illegal number plate? You'll eventually get pulled and if the Plod is having a bad day you might get a ticket for it.

It's a valid point. Basically, a couple of degrees lower temp on the IC is worth rather a lot. Detonation is not a good thing.

A full size UK plate is an air dam....

[Mr E]

Ah.

www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/wiltshire/news/WILTS_NEWS0.html

Now, if I was feeling cynical....

[Mr E]

iaint said:

cptsideways said: St you need to naught boy Imported cars are exempt from the number plate size rules as they often have different size apertures etc. I know this as I import a few cars & it says so on the DVLA documents supplied. Licensed number plate shops will also confirm this, alongwith your little black book that you hav'nt read recently 'Exempt' is a little strong - we fall under a different part of the reg that allows the use of a slightly smaller font than standard.

Found it. This particular car was SVA'd upon entry into the country. So, this appears to suggest I can have bike sized plates legally.

Can anyone more versed in the regs confirm that?
www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/regmarks/reg_marks_current_requirements.htm#import

[iaint]

DVLA website said:

Certain imported vehicles may be permitted to display number plates with smaller characters if: - The vehicle does not have European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval AND - The vehicle's construction/design cannot accomodate standard size number plates

The second one is the killer really - whilst it doesn't look nice you can technically fit the 'normal' front plate.

I'm going to be exchanging my 'square' front place for a long one using the smallest legal font to allow as much airflow as possible.

You might get away with a stick-on plate but they're not technically legal and you could be done by a jobsworth bib over them (even though it's perfectly legible).

Iain

[Mr E]

Ah, but I maintain it can't support a full size plate. It bends and cracks.

UK spec cars have an additional mount point bolted to the bumper to mount the plate. I don't have that.

So I think I'm in the clear here.

A sticky plate on the bonnet would be perfect, but not legal I thought.

[g_attrill]

Ladies and gentlemen, if you read the regulations you will see that if you are only able to display the small (motorcycles) letters on the rear (a-la Jap/Yank) it is ILLEGAL to fit a plate displaying normal sized letters on the front. Yes, ILLEGAL!

www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2002/20022687.htm

Regs said:

Size and spacing of characters: special cases (snip) (2) In relation to a vehicle to which this regulation applies - (a) each character in the registration mark must be 64 millimetres high;

Note that it uses the word vehicle not "plate" or "registration mark". ie. the whole vehicle MUST use those sized letters.

Gareth


>> Edited by g_attrill on Tuesday 28th September 15:50

[Mr E]

Indeed.

So, as I require one on the front, I *must* have one on the back too.....

I'll be having a chat with my friendly traffic section about this I think.

I wouldn't want to break the law, so I need some clarification.

[Jolley]

All the information regarding letter sizing is here (note this is for registrations before Sept 2001):

<a href="http://www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/regmarks/reg_marks_current_requirements.htm#before2001">www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/regmarks/reg_marks_current_requirements.htm#before2001</a>

(scroll down for import)

It does state that CERTAIN imports can use 64mmx44mm characters rather than the usual 79mmx50mm (CERTAIN refers to it having a restricted space, which your front plate does not have (no surround to fit into) - so they could rightly fine you).

The best (and most legal) option is to go onto a website like fancyplates.com and have them make a plate up to minimum spacings with a minimum surround (it made mine about 2" narrower and 1" shorter).

>> Edited by Jolley on Tuesday 28th September 16:44

>> Edited by Jolley on Tuesday 28th September 16:46

[g_attrill]

Yes, the legislation was intended for vehicles with an indentation that isn't large enough to fit a plate.
eg, my car:



The front of mine didn't have a plate carrier and it would have been possible to screw a normal sized plate onto it. I bought a proper US mount and fitted a 12x6 plate the same as the rear, but had I fitted a normal plate it would have theoretically have been illegal:
www.attrill.me.uk/photos/911/DSCN4696s.jpg

Gareth


>> Edited by g_attrill on Tuesday 28th September 17:27

[Mr E]

Jolley said:

It does state that CERTAIN imports can use 64mmx44mm characters rather than the usual 79mmx50mm (CERTAIN refers to it having a restricted space, which your front plate does not have (no surround to fit into) - so they could rightly fine you).

I have space on the front bumper for a small plate. A full UK plate does not fit correctly, and is basically banana shaped and cracks when fitted.

No surround at all. Sounds like a candidate to me.

Full sized square plate fits on the back.

[Jolley]

Mr E said:

I have space on the front bumper for a small plate. A full UK plate does not fit correctly, and is basically banana shaped and cracks when fitted. No surround at all. Sounds like a candidate to me. Full sized square plate fits on the back.

Could well be the case, however I think you would find yourself at the mercy of whoever decides that they might want to pull you for it. At least you know as much (maybe more) than the policeman now.