BiB Number plate question

[Muncher]

When I bought my VX it came with (and still has) the previous owner's personal plate on it.

The front plate is a 3/4 size, flexible type one. If a front plate is fitted, it is regularly broken off on speed bumps, hence most owners have 3/4 size ones fitted.

The personal reg has now been put on retention, so I need new plates made up.

If I go for a 3/4 sized front plate, being illegal what are the chances I'd get pulled for it?

As it's illegal anyway, would the fine be even worse if I got a creatively spaced personal one?

The other option is to ditch the front plate entirely...

[Roadcop]

Of it's a UK car a proper size number plate is required...

However, if you go without a plate, you only risk a £30 fine...

See how long you manage without and then when you do get stopped, you can look at getting a plate then.

[Muncher]

Front plate is now off.

I drove past 2 BiB on bikes minutes after taking them off, they had stopped a guy in a Fiesta, they didn't give a second glance and I'm sure they noticed the car.

[Boosted LS1]

Thing is, imho having no front plate looks just a bit ladish as if you're taking the piss if you know what I mean and if I had the time and was plod I'd have you straight away no offence meant I reckon a smaller plate would blend in a lot more nicely and let you drive in peace for much longer

Boosted.

[markmullen]

I got pulled once for not having a front plate on an RX7, the front didn't really have room for a plate, like yours.

I was lucky, the cop was a real good bloke, keen on cars, had a sit in and a rev, a look at the rotary etc. He simply wrote me a VDRS which was fine.

The fact that I had no plate on did draw his attention though, luckily I was in traffic so not going too brisk but IMO something which unnecessarily draws the attention of the BiB is a bad thing.

Edited to add I forgot to say the rear plate was a 3/4 size motorbike style jobby, the cop remarked that it wasn't legal but that he was satisfied that it was the best I could do so he wouldn't be bothered about it and he would be surprised if any other cop made anything of it

>> Edited by markmullen on Saturday 15th January 00:13

[ledfoot]

I would say that you are more likely to get away with a fake front plate than no plate at all.

[Muncher]

In any case, the car still has the incorrect plates, I don't have the reg documents yet to get the correct ones made up.

[busa_rush]

I've not got a front plate on one of my cars and never been stopped for it, driven past several plod cars and they've seen the front and not bothered.

They've probably got more important thing to be doing, like emptying the fixed cash machines and manning the mobile cash machines.

[Roadcop]

Unlikely

[alicrozier]

Muncher,
I have an Elise and have a legal plate on the front but at the very minimum size (standard text size but minimum 11mm borders). It's amazing how much smaller the plate is than standard.

It looks normal on the car so doesn't draw attention and no worries about legality.

Plate size requirements here:
www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/regmarks/reg_marks_current_requirements.htm#mandatorycharacterfont

Within the past couple of months I've had 2 friends pulled up locally (Aberdeen) for reduced size front plates (on an Elise and an Exige).

[medicineman]

Surely your going to get into a lot more trouble for a fake plate (deliberate) than no plate which could be an accident. The concern must be clones. There are two other cars around me that are the same make and model as mine so a PNC or ANPR check would show valid. I bet there both insured as well.

[Mr E]

I had a small plate on the Four (there's a thread somewhere). I got pulled.

I produced the full sized plate from the boot and fitted it, and nice policeman was happy.

I now have a sticky plate to go on the bonnet - but I've not fitted it yet as I'm not convinced by the legality.

Basically, the law seems to say "Sticky plate not illegal itself, but we don't know of any that meet the regulations".

DVLA says said:

# # Are stick-on number plates legal? No, number plates must meet the British Standard requirements and we are not aware of any self-adhesive number plates that are able to meet these requirements.

What british standards?

Any professionals out there care to comment? Would you pull a car with a full sized sticky bonnet plate?

Muncher - if you want a sticky bonnet plate - drop me a line and I'll put you in touch with a mate who made mine. About a tenner I think.


>> Edited by Mr E on Saturday 15th January 12:06

[kevinday]

I think the problem with the sticky plates is that they will not be vertical, or near vertical, as required by the scammers

[Mr E]

kevinday said:

I think the problem with the sticky plates is that they will not be vertical, or near vertical, as required by the scammers

And where in the regulations does it state how the plate should be attached to the car.....

[Roadcop]

Mr E said:

kevinday said: I think the problem with the sticky plates is that they will not be vertical, or near vertical, as required by the scammers And where in the regulations does it state how the plate should be attached to the car.....

The regs say it should be 'easily read' from 20m away. If the plate is vertical or upside down, it wouldn't be 'easily read'.

The problem is; the regs were written when common sense and responsibility was rife in the UK.

[cptsideways]

Stick it to the sun visor

[deeen]

When my front plate falls off, I have to keep it in the boot until the opportunity presents itself to re-attatch it properly.

[Muncher]

cptsideways said:

Stick it to the sun visor

There isn't one!

[Mr E]

Roadcop said:

The regs say it should be 'easily read' from 20m away. If the plate is vertical or upside down, it wouldn't be 'easily read'.

Dammit. Cheers boss. Is stuck to the nosecone 'easily read'?

Roadcop said:

The problem is; the regs were written when common sense and responsibility was rife in the UK.

Just before the Romans invaded then?

[Roadcop]

Pre 1990 in my experience..