Are numbers on the side of cars legal?
Discussion
Looking to sticker up my car and there seems to be a bit of a debate about whether having race numbers on the side of your car are legal in the UK and France?
I have seen cars with numbers with an X through them but don't really know the reason.
Anyone know if there are any laws on this? Or am I ok to stick what ever i want on my car?
I have seen cars with numbers with an X through them but don't really know the reason.
Anyone know if there are any laws on this? Or am I ok to stick what ever i want on my car?
Stick whatever you want on your car unless its somethong like c
t of course you will be arrested. The cross through numbers is because the car is in a championship of some sort, eg. drivers/cars who are competing in a road-going race championship. Drivers are not permitted to show numbers while using the car on the road - dont know why, it's the rules or at least it was when I was in the C.C.C.Sprint Championship years ago. So displaying a number 69 on the side of your car (a popular number not sure why.....) is 100% legal.
t of course you will be arrested. The cross through numbers is because the car is in a championship of some sort, eg. drivers/cars who are competing in a road-going race championship. Drivers are not permitted to show numbers while using the car on the road - dont know why, it's the rules or at least it was when I was in the C.C.C.Sprint Championship years ago. So displaying a number 69 on the side of your car (a popular number not sure why.....) is 100% legal. Rs2oo is correct - there is an MSA rule that numbers need to be crossed through whilst cars are on the road (e.g rally cars moving between stages). The only risk, I believe, is to the driver's racing licence.
I looked into this very carefully when stickering my car (see profile pic) three years ago. The numbers are perfectly legal in the UK - I've never been pulled over. Never had any trouble during three Le Mans and numerous other trips through France, although I have to admit that I don't know what the law is there. Somemone may know...................
I looked into this very carefully when stickering my car (see profile pic) three years ago. The numbers are perfectly legal in the UK - I've never been pulled over. Never had any trouble during three Le Mans and numerous other trips through France, although I have to admit that I don't know what the law is there. Somemone may know...................
C5RagTop said:
Rs2oo is correct - there is an MSA rule that numbers need to be crossed through whilst cars are on the road (e.g rally cars moving between stages). The only risk, I believe, is to the driver's racing licence.
Almost - they're legal to be displayed up until the event finishes, then they must be crossed up. Its enough bother getting from stage to stage without having to tape up the numbers after each stage lol 
I thought that the issue with numbers was due to insurance rather than the law.
In most policies it states that the cover does not extend to racing or rallying. By having a 'race' number on the side of the car and you are involved in an accident the insurer could claim that you were involved in an organised event and therefore you insurance is not valid.
So by putting a cross through the number it shows that there is no doubt that you are not participating in an event.
In reality I am sure that it would be easy to prove that this was no the case (especially during Le Mans 'season' when there are thousands of other cars with decals).
In most policies it states that the cover does not extend to racing or rallying. By having a 'race' number on the side of the car and you are involved in an accident the insurer could claim that you were involved in an organised event and therefore you insurance is not valid.
So by putting a cross through the number it shows that there is no doubt that you are not participating in an event.
In reality I am sure that it would be easy to prove that this was no the case (especially during Le Mans 'season' when there are thousands of other cars with decals).
Edited by V8 BYF on Friday 30th April 07:14
V8 BYF said:
I thought that the issue with numbers was due to insurance rather than the law.
In most policies it states that the cover does not extend to racing or rallying. By having a 'race' number on the side of the car and you are involved in an accident the insurer could claim that you were involved in an organised event and therefore you insurance is not valid.
So by putting a cross through the number it shows that there is no doubt that you are not participating in an event.
In reality I am sure that it would be easy to prove that this was no the case (especially during Le Mans 'season' when there are thousands of other cars with decals).
Exactly, I think the rally rule as I said is legal because at the start of the event, you sign onto the events insurance, which is very basic, but it is insurance valid for the duration of the event. Hence when you finish the rally, you are no longer insured as "on event" (you still have road insurance for driver obviously) but you should cross out the event numbers as...In most policies it states that the cover does not extend to racing or rallying. By having a 'race' number on the side of the car and you are involved in an accident the insurer could claim that you were involved in an organised event and therefore you insurance is not valid.
So by putting a cross through the number it shows that there is no doubt that you are not participating in an event.
In reality I am sure that it would be easy to prove that this was no the case (especially during Le Mans 'season' when there are thousands of other cars with decals).
Edited by V8 BYF on Friday 30th April 07:14
I've confused myself here... its in the MSA Blue Book somewhere!
I reckon it'll be fine 
ETA: This is just my experience from doing multi venue rallys where you have road sections, but I'm the co-driver so I just concentrate on getting us there
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Friday 30th April 10:46
The only issue is that the French police will think you are a canonballer etc as happened to me last year and will be a complete arse with you.
We were threatened will all sorts of actions against us and had our passport/car details recorded.
I'm giving stickers a miss this year don't need the hassle.
We were threatened will all sorts of actions against us and had our passport/car details recorded.
I'm giving stickers a miss this year don't need the hassle.
Barry Ashcroft said:
The only issue is that the French police will think you are a canonballer etc as happened to me last year and will be a complete arse with you.
We were threatened will all sorts of actions against us and had our passport/car details recorded.
I'm giving stickers a miss this year don't need the hassle.
They must be the most stupid cops ever then if they thought you were on a Cannonball run on the Le Mans weekend. We were threatened will all sorts of actions against us and had our passport/car details recorded.
I'm giving stickers a miss this year don't need the hassle.
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