Smaller Sized Number Plates

[V8 EOL]

I have been doing some on the size of number plates and specifically if we can put the smaller type on the front of our cars. I mention this as Richard (a silver 04 CV8 owner I meet at Monkfish last week with awesome headers upgrade) was recently pulled over by the rossers and asked to change his back.

At this official looking site www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2002/20022687.htm echoes what is on the DVLA site www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/regmarks/reg_marks_current_requirements.htm#import and I found:

DVLA said:

14A. - (1) This regulation applies in relation to any vehicle imported into the United Kingdom which -
(a) does not have European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval; and
(b) is so constructed that the area available for the fixing of the registration plate precludes the display on the plate of a registration mark in conformity with the requirements of regulation 14.

So, is the car type approved? ...and could you argue that the front number plate area is designed not to have a big plate?

The former I have no idea about. I am not sure I could argue for the latter, especially if I was to make an issue of it and go to !

Anyone else got any thoughts, comments or experience?

[hsvgtscoupe]

Mine (now Jace's) was a personal import so I just went ahead & used smaller plates. If I had a VXR or Vauxhall badged Munro I'd use them anyway in a flash. Mine were essentially using the smaller size letters that you see on 2 row import plates but on a single row. The front plate was about 350mm across which suited the HSV bar perfectly. I used the same size for rear even though you could obviously fit a bigger one there. If a copper stopped me I'd just say "these plates are legal on imported cars". Never had a problem so I reckon just go for it - as long as the font & style of the plates is pretty standard. I reckon they will leave you well alone.

[booster]

I remember a thread about this a long time ago. IIRC - no the car is NOT Type Approved so it's fine to use the smaller plates. I kept a copy of the DVLA section that this refers to in the glove box to show MR Ignorant Plod.

[rocket]

Richard, do you actually want to fit an import style plate? With only 5 digits you can always trim a normal UK plate to fit the recess....

[v6 jdt]

Even with the Euro flag!