Foreign Lorry Mis-Matching Number Plates

[RammyMP]

On a recent drive across Europe I noticed a lot of foreign wagons had different number plates on the trailer then were on the tractor unit. Since coming home I have noticed that most of the foreign wagons on our roads too have mis-matched plates, is this legal or should the plate at the back match the plate on the front of the vehicle?

Cheers.

[Happy Jim]

Most countries have separate registration for trailers and they require testing just like a powered vehicle - all normal.

Jim

[tr7v8]

Happy Jim said:

Most countries have separate registration for trailers and they require testing just like a powered vehicle - all normal.

Jim

This & this applies to all trailers, including things like caravans & boat trailers.

[RammyMP]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

tr7v8 said:

this applies to all trailers, including things like caravans & boat trailers.

That can vary from country to country.

Here in NL for example, trailers & caravans <751kg have a plate that matches the car, whereas >751kg require a separate plate (and insurance and MOT equivalent etc).

But in the UK does the trailer not need to match the cab?

Thanks for the replies by the way!

[InitialDave]

I would assume that as long as the trailer registration is traceable to the person driving in the same way a vehicle registration number would be, it's a moot point. But is that the case?

[shakotan]

RammyMP said:

kapiteinlangzaam said:

tr7v8 said:

this applies to all trailers, including things like caravans & boat trailers.

That can vary from country to country.

Here in NL for example, trailers & caravans <751kg have a plate that matches the car, whereas >751kg require a separate plate (and insurance and MOT equivalent etc).

But in the UK does the trailer not need to match the cab?

Thanks for the replies by the way!

In the UK we do not have a trailer licensing law, so you simply display the VRM of the tow vehicle, however many European countries license their trailers separately, hence the differing VRM from the tow vehicle.

[SVTRick]

Even if jonny foreigner has a plate try getting close enough to read some of them.
Many are so filthy and damaged you can read it anyway.

[berlintaxi]

SVTRick said:

Even if jonny foreigner has a plate try getting close enough to read some of them.
Many are so filthy and damaged you can read it anyway.

Whereas British trucks are always immaculately clean and tidy.

[Nickyboy]

RammyMP said:

But in the UK does the trailer not need to match the cab?

Thanks for the replies by the way!

Yes but only UK registered trucks so if a foreign truck is in the UK that doesn't apply. If a UK registered truck tows a foreign trailer in the UK it must have the plate of the tractor unit on the back of the trailer.

The registered trailer thing is a good idea imho, easier to trace trailers, trailers that are regularly swapped often don't have plates or get lost/damaged. Trailers dumped in laybys/industrial estates would be easier to trace if required.