A couple of innocent questions/avoid committing an offence!

[NDA]

I was told recently that cars driving in convoy are illegal unless prior permission has been given by the Police. Is this true? Also that you can't use a (road legal) car on the road if it has racing roundels with a number displayed within. Is this also true?

Any guidance would be very welcome - particularly before I set off in one of mine with numbers and in a group!

Thanks

N

[SplatSpeed]

probably covered under section 59

crispy porker will be along shortly to defend it

[GreenV8S]

NDA said:

Also that you can't use a (road legal) car on the road if it has racing roundels with a number displayed within. Is this also true?

No, that one's definitely rubbish.

The origin is the fact that the MSA, who license motorsport in this country, stipulate that competition numbers must be covered up or removed before any competition vehicle is driven on public roads. The intention is to make it clear that the vehicles are no longer involved in competition.

If a competitor breaches this rule they can in principle get in trouble with the MSA (for example, being refused entry to future events, or being fined, or having their competition license revoked), although it's extremely rare for any action other than being told off at the next event.

The law of the land has nothing to say about it, and legally there's absolutely nothing stopping you from running about with racing numbers on. (However, any competitor seeing you will realize you probably aren't a competitor - which may be the opposite to what you're trying to achieve by putting racing numbers etc on the car.)

Edited by GreenV8S on Tuesday 26th June 18:01

[Chrispy Porker]

Hardly!

There is no law against racing numbers or convoys as far as I am aware.

I have heard about some kind of injunction against ' gatherings' in Notts but thats all.

[NDA]

Thanks.

Appreciate the swift response. I could find no reference, so it seemed to be more folklore than law, but just wanted to check.

Cheers.

[aw51 121565]

Among classic car clubs there is (and has been) quite some discussion on this - principally are people taking part in club-organised convoys and road runs covered by the club's public liability insurance? It's not entirely clear - bear in mind that fully inclusive public liability cover for a 'road run' costs much more than public liability cover for club stands at events.

With regard to needing consent for convoys and road runs, I believe the consent of the local chief of police is required, and have been advised that consent is never granted in Dorset. What law precipitated this I do not know.

However, many members of the public seem to derive a lot of enjoyment from seeing a convoy of gently-driven 'older cars' (shall we say ), whereas a 'cruise' doesn't appeal to the majority...

[crazypb]

Seems the Nottingham (Nottyash) councils and Police have this incredible idea that more than five cars in a 'gathering' constitutes an public order offence.
Doubtless this will close all car-parks, garage forecourts and obviously eliminate traffic jams at a single stroke.
Simple rule,.. Nottingham's a no-no,.. don't even go there!

[aw51 121565]

It's not just 'car events' that need permission nowadays. Any 'meeting' of more than a limited number of people need consent from the police and/or local authority (I am very rusty on this ). And *no* 'meetings' in the vicinity of the Houses of Parliament, for example.

This implies 'organisation' for said 'meeting', but the same old 'car shows' continue, for example.

'Road runs' seem to be ignored, as long as the cars are driven so as not to be noticed more than the general traffic. I've never applied for premision for the local chief(s) of police when I do road runs... but legally I think the writing is on the wall if we (all of us) don't behave.