Need some advice on fine for no front plate

[TNT93]

Hi there,

first of all I just registered today and tried putting this in the speed, plod and the law section but it wont let me for 14 days so apologies there. Anyway I woke up today to a lovely letter from my local police force thinking it may be a speeding fine but it wasn't, it reads as follows (sorry for the long post)

In accordance with section 172 of the road traffic offenders act 1988, I hereby give you notice that it is intended to take proceedings against the driver of the motor vehicle Volkswagen L*51*** for the alleged offence of drive vehicle no front registration plate - registered after 30/09/38

at blah blah on blah blah

If you were the driver at the time of the alleged offence

• elect to take an online course for £36 "your belt, your life" (what this has to do with no front plate I don't know?)
• pay £100 fine
• elect to take a court hearing

now I have a front plate in the windscreen and always thought it would be a £30 fpn, they have attached photo evidence in which you can quite clearly see the number plate so I don't really know what to do next. I also forgot to add that this was a mobile speed camera that got me. Am I best to just do the course and be done with it? does it count as a motoring offence/conviction when my insurance renews? and is it kept on record?

sorry again for the long post and thanks for any advice

[N Dentressangle]

TNT93 said:

Hi there,

first of all I just registered today and tried putting this in the speed, plod and the law section but it wont let me for 14 days so apologies there. Anyway I woke up today to a lovely letter from my local police force thinking it may be a speeding fine but it wasn't, it reads as follows (sorry for the long post)

In accordance with section 172 of the road traffic offenders act 1988, I hereby give you notice that it is intended to take proceedings against the driver of the motor vehicle Volkswagen L*51*** for the alleged offence of drive vehicle no front registration plate - registered after 30/09/38

at blah blah on blah blah

If you were the driver at the time of the alleged offence

• elect to take an online course for £36 "your belt, your life" (what this has to do with no front plate I don't know?)
• pay £100 fine
• elect to take a court hearing

now I have a front plate in the windscreen and always thought it would be a £30 fpn, they have attached photo evidence in which you can quite clearly see the number plate so I don't really know what to do next. I also forgot to add that this was a mobile speed camera that got me. Am I best to just do the course and be done with it? does it count as a motoring offence/conviction when my insurance renews? and is it kept on record?

sorry again for the long post and thanks for any advice

The answer is in post 5 here:

http://www.policeuk.com/forum/index.php?/topic/174...

I'd take the £36 online course and put the plate back where it's supposed to go.

If they haven't mentioned points then you haven't got any. If in doubt, tell your insurers and see what they say - some will care, some won't. Better to find out which before you have a claim.

[TNT93]

N Dentressangle said:

The answer is in post 5 here:

http://www.policeuk.com/forum/index.php?/topic/174...

I'd take the £36 online course and put the plate back where it's supposed to go.

If they haven't mentioned points then you haven't got any. If in doubt, tell your insurers and see what they say - some will care, some won't. Better to find out which before you have a claim.

Hi thanks for the advice, I know that having it in the windscreen is an offence but It should be a £30 fpn notice shouldn't it? that's what I don't understand. there is also no mention of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 in my letter.

[Durzel]

Why isn't it on the front of the car?

[TNT93]

Durzel said:

Why isn't it on the front of the car?

bumper was smoothed off when I bought it, don't worry it's going back on today

[fathomfive]

Durzel said:

Why isn't it on the front of the car?

Because scene.

[SidewaysSi]

I didn't have a front plate on mine but put it back on. With the amount of cameras etc, it wasn't worth the worry, particularly when passing a police car.

I value a clean licence and a hassle free life over anything else.

[rallycross]

fathomfive said:

Durzel said:

Why isn't it on the front of the car?

Because scene.

Just pay the £35 fine and accept it as a tax for muppets who think a number plate on the dash is cool ( turns out It's not cool)

[WinstonWolf]

If you didn't have a front plate how did they get your reg?

[Magic919]

It was £30, then £60 and finally increased to £100.

[TNT93]

WinstonWolf said:

If you didn't have a front plate how did they get your reg?

that's what i'm trying to get at, I have it in the window which I know is an offence don't need to be told. it should be a £30 fpn whereas I've been given a £100 fpn for no plate or a £36 course about seat belt safety??? which will be the most likely choice

[TNT93]

Magic919 said:

It was £30, then £60 and finally increased to £100.

Thanks, this helps clear it up a bit, is it kept on record do you know? I'm most worried about the insurance side of it because I'm a relatively new driver and there's that bit you fill in that says has the driver had any motor offences/convictions in the last 5 years. anyway lesson learnt and plate is going back on today

[t400ble]

If you are new to the road, try and stick to the rules.

We don't have that many

[TNT93]

t400ble said:

If you are new to the road, try and stick to the rules.

We don't have that many

Please, I've accepted I was in the wrong and I've learnt my lesson, Don't need people telling me that. I just wanted some advice because I thought it was a £30 fpn and the way it has been worded as being NO front registration plate when I do have one just in the wrong place

[rigga]

TNT93 said:

Please, I've accepted I was in the wrong and I've learnt my lesson, Don't need people telling me that. I just wanted some advice because I thought it was a £30 fpn and the way it has been worded as being NO front registration plate when I do have one just in the wrong place

That's right, you don't have a front number plate as per construction and use regs, being placed in the windscreen counts for nothing.

[TNT93]

rigga said:

That's right, you don't have a front number plate as per construction and use regs, being placed in the windscreen counts for nothing.

cheers Got to ring them Monday to see if I can do the online course. Seems a bit random though, A belt safety course for having plate in the wrong place

[Magic919]

TNT93 said:

Magic919 said:

It was £30, then £60 and finally increased to £100.

Thanks, this helps clear it up a bit, is it kept on record do you know? I'm most worried about the insurance side of it because I'm a relatively new driver and there's that bit you fill in that says has the driver had any motor offences/convictions in the last 5 years. anyway lesson learnt and plate is going back on today

You are starting to sound like a slow learner. If your Insurer asks about motoring offences, you'll need to tell them the truth. It's a fixed penalty and no points. You might do the course instead and some Insurers ask about those, but may restrict themselves to asking about speed awareness courses.

I'd suggest you take the course and answer any insurance questions truthfully.

[Little Lofty]

This might help, it looks like a grey area as it could come under the scope of a £50 fine or a £100 fine, mis spaced plates would get a £50 fine, think you've been a bit unlucky in one sense but lucky to get the option of the lower priced awareness course.

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/legal-advice/...

[TNT93]

Magic919 said:

You are starting to sound like a slow learner. If your Insurer asks about motoring offences, you'll need to tell them the truth. It's a fixed penalty and no points. You might do the course instead and some Insurers ask about those, but may restrict themselves to asking about speed awareness courses.

I'd suggest you take the course and answer any insurance questions truthfully.

Thanks for insulting my intelligence, much appreciated. I didn't know whether a fpn for something minor is classed as an offence/conviction, to me that is something which includes points that is why I have come for advice. I will elect to do the course and let insurers know and they can decide whether it affects my policy or not.

[TNT93]

Little Lofty said:

This might help, it looks like a grey area as it could come under the scope of a £50 fine or a £100 fine, mis spaced plates would get a £50 fine, think you've been a bit unlucky in one sense but lucky to get the option of the lower priced awareness course.

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/legal-advice/...

Indeed this helps, thanks for that, I agree that I'm quite lucky to be offered the course, It came as bit of a shock though because I've been past many mobile speed cameras in the past 6 months or so and not heard a peep, suppose it's up to the copper dealing with it at the time.