Discussion
I've just had a new car and want to get some number plates made up for it as I dislike the original ones intensely; they have the hideous and meaningless European stars on them. Halfords of course want to see the V5 but as the car is a lease vehicle, and I'm not in possession of this document, it would be hard to obtain. I read somewhere on PH about a company in Ireland called Fancy Plates or something but Google is blocking access to the site (or more likely the evil hand of Govt/Bliar). Anyone got any suggestions?
It is illegal to fit a vehicle with plates which don't bear the identifying mark of the properly UK registered maker. Thus it is illegal to fit plates from any company who don't want to see the V5.
However you could argue that the plates were on the car before the law changed. Obviously this won't work if the car is too new. It is unlikly but the police could check any old photos/film of your car from speed cameras, APNR etc for evidence of an alternative plate being fitted. They could also check your financial records for evidence of a transaction with fancy plates.
However you could argue that the plates were on the car before the law changed. Obviously this won't work if the car is too new. It is unlikly but the police could check any old photos/film of your car from speed cameras, APNR etc for evidence of an alternative plate being fitted. They could also check your financial records for evidence of a transaction with fancy plates.
elwe said:
It is illegal to fit a vehicle with plates which don't bear the identifying mark of the properly UK registered maker. Thus it is illegal to fit plates from any company who don't want to see the V5.
However you could argue that the plates were on the car before the law changed. Obviously this won't work if the car is too new. It is unlikly but the police could check any old photos/film of your car from speed cameras, APNR etc for evidence of an alternative plate being fitted. They could also check your financial records for evidence of a transaction with fancy plates.
However you could argue that the plates were on the car before the law changed. Obviously this won't work if the car is too new. It is unlikly but the police could check any old photos/film of your car from speed cameras, APNR etc for evidence of an alternative plate being fitted. They could also check your financial records for evidence of a transaction with fancy plates.
Thanks for that information, the whole number plate thing's a minefield isn't it? Has the world gone completely mad? DVLA highways Agency, police/scamera operators, ANPR folks. F**k them, f**k them all.
kenp said:
elwe said:
They could also check your financial records for evidence of a transaction with fancy plates.
No they can't. They would require a warrant and they would need to know what creditcards you have.
Why would they want to do this anyway for a potential £30 fine. If the plates are illegal they can see by just looking at them. Where you gat them is another matter and Fancy Plates will put whatever small script you wish under the main numbers. The UK police couldn't check Fancy Plates records without a warrant and as I think they are not based in this country that would be impossible. Who cares anyway - stuff 'em!
elwe said:
It is illegal to fit a vehicle with plates which don't bear the identifying mark of the properly UK registered maker. Thus it is illegal to fit plates from any company who don't want to see the V5.
However you could argue that the plates were on the car before the law changed. Obviously this won't work if the car is too new. It is unlikly but the police could check any old photos/film of your car from speed cameras, APNR etc for evidence of an alternative plate being fitted. They could also check your financial records for evidence of a transaction with fancy plates.
However you could argue that the plates were on the car before the law changed. Obviously this won't work if the car is too new. It is unlikly but the police could check any old photos/film of your car from speed cameras, APNR etc for evidence of an alternative plate being fitted. They could also check your financial records for evidence of a transaction with fancy plates.
What is the actual offence and penalty ?
Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (c. 22)(registration marks) was ammended by Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001 s34 Imposition of requirements concerning registration plates, but that allowed a Satutory instrument to add the detail to the impositions on regsitered plate suppliers. Fancyplates in Eire cannot be bound by UK law and all the offences in the Act ( P*** Poor drafting as usual) relate to the supply of plates.
andy zarse said:
I've just had a new car and want to get some number plates made up for it as I dislike the original ones intensely; they have the hideous and meaningless European stars on them. Halfords of course want to see the V5 but as the car is a lease vehicle, and I'm not in possession of this document, it would be hard to obtain. I read somewhere on PH about a company in Ireland called Fancy Plates or something but Google is blocking access to the site (or more likely the evil hand of Govt/Bliar). Anyone got any suggestions?
I suppose you'd be allowed to stick something over the EU stars would you? Something of your own choice. I mean, although I'm not anti EU, I don't know why the stars are there.
herewego said:
andy zarse said:
I've just had a new car and want to get some number plates made up for it as I dislike the original ones intensely; they have the hideous and meaningless European stars on them. Halfords of course want to see the V5 but as the car is a lease vehicle, and I'm not in possession of this document, it would be hard to obtain. I read somewhere on PH about a company in Ireland called Fancy Plates or something but Google is blocking access to the site (or more likely the evil hand of Govt/Bliar). Anyone got any suggestions?
I suppose you'd be allowed to stick something over the EU stars would you? Something of your own choice. I mean, although I'm not anti EU, I don't know why the stars are there.
the only think that you're allowed is thr EU flag or a country flag. Everything else is illega. Stupid and pointless I agree, but thats the way it is now. IIRC you can use the official lease letter in place of the V5
negative creep said:
the only think that you're allowed is thr EU flag or a country flag. Everything else is illega. Stupid and pointless I agree, but thats the way it is now. IIRC you can use the official lease letter in place of the V5
What if I had, say, an image of Tony Bliar with tyre treads down his face - would that be illegal?
Richard C said:
Fancyplates in Eire cannot be bound by UK law and all the offences in the Act ( P*** Poor drafting as usual) relate to the supply of plates.
Fancyplates are not bound by UK law. It is YOU who is. It is illegal for you to fit new plates that don't have the identifying mark of a UK registered plate maker. All UK registered plate makers have to ask for the V5 by law.
Do you really think the Police are going to be bothered to stop a legally taxed and insured car with clean and properly spaced number plates just because some small logo on the bottom of the plate is missing? And for what, so that you can be fined £30 with no points. If the plates failed to show on an ANPR or cash-camera one might see a reason for stopping and reporting, but in the normal way of things it's very unlikely.
elwe said:
Richard C said:
Fancyplates in Eire cannot be bound by UK law and all the offences in the Act ( P*** Poor drafting as usual) relate to the supply of plates.
Fancyplates are not bound by UK law. It is YOU who is. It is illegal for you to fit new plates that don't have the identifying mark of a UK registered plate maker. All UK registered plate makers have to ask for the V5 by law.
elwe, please read carefully the rest of my previous post. I asked what is the offence and the penalty. If you know please tell us. If you don't, please don't assume an offence is committed by the purchaser just because you FEEL that it SHOULD be.
martind said:
elwe said:
All UK registered plate makers have to ask for the V5 by law.
IIRC reading here on PH, Scottish law is different & you don't need a V5 to get them or & they dont have the identifying mark .
spot on correct - get 'em made in scotland - mail order if neccessary - still legal to use and english number plate rules don't apply
doesn't matter anyway, any UK plate maker can make plates with no name on all they have to do is write "plates for show use only" on the invoice and they've passed the buck to the fitter
when you get a stop (you wont) and when they say (they wont) "why is there no number plate makers name on your plates" you say "I had them made when I was on holiday in scotland"
the police wont be interested in your number plates unless someone has used your number to commit a crime - chill out - don't worry
Edited by Motorwise on Wednesday 10th January 22:17
elwe said:
It is illegal to fit a vehicle with plates which don't bear the identifying mark of the properly UK registered maker. Thus it is illegal to fit plates from any company who don't want to see the V5.
Unless the law has been changed since last year, dont think this applies in Scotland. I purchsed a personalised plate last year from DVLC, and just went into my Volvo dealer, and asked for the plate No, and they made it up for me. So if you know anyone north of the border, no problem. In fact this was also pointed out in a car mag if I recall correctly.
If this is wrong, Von will let us all know.
Edited by vipers on Wednesday 10th January 22:22
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