Discussion
Just a bit of inside info - It's not actually illegal (yet) to have tinted registration plates, as long as all other aspects are complied with. It is currently under discussion due to the increase in tinted plates.
You can still be pulled and prosecuted if the officer believes the tint is too dark, (having an obscured plate), but a lighter tint is not actually illegal at the moment.
I suspect the OP came across as such a monumental tosser to plod, that they went over his car with a fine tooth comb until they found the non-compliance with the BS number.
You can still be pulled and prosecuted if the officer believes the tint is too dark, (having an obscured plate), but a lighter tint is not actually illegal at the moment.
I suspect the OP came across as such a monumental tosser to plod, that they went over his car with a fine tooth comb until they found the non-compliance with the BS number.
Speed Badger said:
I suspect the OP came across as such a monumental tosser to plod, that they went over his car with a fine tooth comb until they found the non-compliance with the BS number.
On the other hand I suspect the monumental tosser was the OP based on his attitude towards the law shown on this thread. If only he had a legal plate his life would be so much more straight forward.
Greendubber said:
Speed Badger said:
I suspect the OP came across as such a monumental tosser to plod, that they went over his car with a fine tooth comb until they found the non-compliance with the BS number.
On the other hand I suspect the monumental tosser was the OP based on his attitude towards the law shown on this thread. If only he had a legal plate his life would be so much more straight forward.
Speed Badger said:
Just a bit of inside info - It's not actually illegal (yet) to have tinted registration plates, as long as all other aspects are complied with. It is currently under discussion due to the increase in tinted plates.
You can still be pulled and prosecuted if the officer believes the tint is too dark, (having an obscured plate), but a lighter tint is not actually illegal at the moment.
I suspect the OP came across as such a monumental tosser to plod, that they went over his car with a fine tooth comb until they found the non-compliance with the BS number.
I'm willing to be that if you took the plates to a BS test house they would fail. However, that's expensive and beyond the practical means available to the police. So that's not to say it's legal, but to say it's not practically enforceable at this time except in instances were the officer can make a clear judgement (i.e. not visible at distance, not visible in low light).You can still be pulled and prosecuted if the officer believes the tint is too dark, (having an obscured plate), but a lighter tint is not actually illegal at the moment.
I suspect the OP came across as such a monumental tosser to plod, that they went over his car with a fine tooth comb until they found the non-compliance with the BS number.
Evanivitch said:
Speed Badger said:
Just a bit of inside info - It's not actually illegal (yet) to have tinted registration plates, as long as all other aspects are complied with. It is currently under discussion due to the increase in tinted plates.
You can still be pulled and prosecuted if the officer believes the tint is too dark, (having an obscured plate), but a lighter tint is not actually illegal at the moment.
I suspect the OP came across as such a monumental tosser to plod, that they went over his car with a fine tooth comb until they found the non-compliance with the BS number.
I'm willing to be that if you took the plates to a BS test house they would fail. However, that's expensive and beyond the practical means available to the police. So that's not to say it's legal, but to say it's not practically enforceable at this time except in instances were the officer can make a clear judgement (i.e. not visible at distance, not visible in low light).You can still be pulled and prosecuted if the officer believes the tint is too dark, (having an obscured plate), but a lighter tint is not actually illegal at the moment.
I suspect the OP came across as such a monumental tosser to plod, that they went over his car with a fine tooth comb until they found the non-compliance with the BS number.
The Law said:
The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001
Further requirements for registration plates
11.—(1) No reflex-reflecting material may be applied to any part of a registration plate and the plate must not be treated in such a way that the characters of the registration mark become, or are caused to act as, retroreflective characters.
(2) A registration plate must not be treated in any other way which renders the characters of the registration mark less easily distinguishable to the eye or which would prevent or impair the making of a true photographic image of the plate through the medium of camera and film or any other device.
There is no need to take it to be tested. If there is a tint then the contrast between the white & black and the yellow & black is reduced so the regulation at 11(2) is not met and an offence is committed. Further requirements for registration plates
11.—(1) No reflex-reflecting material may be applied to any part of a registration plate and the plate must not be treated in such a way that the characters of the registration mark become, or are caused to act as, retroreflective characters.
(2) A registration plate must not be treated in any other way which renders the characters of the registration mark less easily distinguishable to the eye or which would prevent or impair the making of a true photographic image of the plate through the medium of camera and film or any other device.
If you have asked a passing police officer about the regulations and he has given you either of those answers then the officer was wrong. They can't be expected to know all of the regs.
Why don't you and the OP simply look at the regulations?
As for simply fitting a tinted plate and shoving it to the man there is a simple and swift solution:
garyhun said:
Greendubber said:
Speed Badger said:
I suspect the OP came across as such a monumental tosser to plod, that they went over his car with a fine tooth comb until they found the non-compliance with the BS number.
On the other hand I suspect the monumental tosser was the OP based on his attitude towards the law shown on this thread. If only he had a legal plate his life would be so much more straight forward.
Facepalm.
Speed Badger said:
I suspect the OP came across as such a monumental tosser to plod, that they went over his car with a fine tooth comb until they found the non-compliance with the BS number.
Sounds very plausible I'm just surprised they didn't find multiple other things to stick on him.Life is way too short to waste it on guff like this. Tinted plates rank alongside foreign look plates, illegally spaced cheap personal plates and running no front plate at all, because they distract from the lines on a stanced VW.
You know why there's no BS number on your plates, because they can't be bought for use on UK roads. They're sold on eBay as ''show plates'' or on stands at shows where Instagram and Facebook likes mean more than being legal for use on the road.
You know why there's no BS number on your plates, because they can't be bought for use on UK roads. They're sold on eBay as ''show plates'' or on stands at shows where Instagram and Facebook likes mean more than being legal for use on the road.
Tablecloth said:
Let's go right back to the beginning.
Unlawful.
You have decided that the plate doesn't need to have an identification mark to show that is satisfies the retroreflective construction of teh backing to the non-reflective letters.
Unlawful.
Unlawful.
There isn't much purpose in taking this to a magistrates' court as your plates are unlawful. Magistrates are used to dealing with belligerant folk who dislike regulations applied to them and to which they don't comply. I think you are heading for a disapointment.
So you need to demonstrate to the court that it impairs or prevents the making of a true photographic image. He doesn't.Mrgrumps said:
I have been pulled 7 times over my number plates , most police have just let me go 4 said they will take me to court, 3 decided not to . The one taking me to court did all the checks and my number plates passed all tests , so he changed his tactic and is taking me to court because they don't have the post code or bs number but I don't see why I should advertise someone else's replacement number plate business on my car . As for the bs number i don't understand why some very small letters and numbers you can only read if you are a foot away have any relevance on identifying the car as they have checked the car from the reg that they can clearly see . I feel the police are only on the road to extract as much money from the public as possible
The Law said:
The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001
SCHEDULE 2REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION PLATES
PART 1VEHICLES REGISTERED AND NEW REGISTRATION PLATES FITTED ON OR AFTER 1ST SEPTEMBER 2001 (MANDATORY SPECIFICATION)
1. The plate must be made of retroreflecting material which, as regards its construction, colour and other qualities, complies with the requirements of—
(a)the British Standard specification for retroreflecting number plates published on 15 January 1998 under number BS AU 145d(1), or
(b)any other relevant standard or specification recognised for use in an EEA State and which, when in use, offers a performance equivalent to that offered by a plate complying with the British Standard specification,
and which, in either case, is marked with the number (or such other information as is necessary to permit identification) of that standard or specification.
2. Where the registration mark is displayed on the front of the vehicle, it must have black characters on a white background.
3. Where the registration mark is displayed on the back of the vehicle, it must have black characters on a yellow background.
If the plate has a tint or has a tinted layer placed over the top of it then the plate doesn't meet the reqquirements to be blak and white or black and yellow.SCHEDULE 2REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION PLATES
PART 1VEHICLES REGISTERED AND NEW REGISTRATION PLATES FITTED ON OR AFTER 1ST SEPTEMBER 2001 (MANDATORY SPECIFICATION)
1. The plate must be made of retroreflecting material which, as regards its construction, colour and other qualities, complies with the requirements of—
(a)the British Standard specification for retroreflecting number plates published on 15 January 1998 under number BS AU 145d(1), or
(b)any other relevant standard or specification recognised for use in an EEA State and which, when in use, offers a performance equivalent to that offered by a plate complying with the British Standard specification,
and which, in either case, is marked with the number (or such other information as is necessary to permit identification) of that standard or specification.
2. Where the registration mark is displayed on the front of the vehicle, it must have black characters on a white background.
3. Where the registration mark is displayed on the back of the vehicle, it must have black characters on a yellow background.
Unlawful.
You have decided that the plate doesn't need to have an identification mark to show that is satisfies the retroreflective construction of teh backing to the non-reflective letters.
Unlawful.
The Law said:
The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001
Further requirements for registration plates
11.—(1) No reflex-reflecting material may be applied to any part of a registration plate and the plate must not be treated in such a way that the characters of the registration mark become, or are caused to act as, retroreflective characters.
(2) A registration plate must not be treated in any other way which renders the characters of the registration mark less easily distinguishable to the eye or which would prevent or impair the making of a true photographic image of the plate through the medium of camera and film or any other device.
(3) A registration plate must not be fixed to a vehicle—
(a)by means of a screw, bolt or other fixing device of any type or colour,
(b)by the placing of a screw, bolt or other fixing device in any position, or
(c)in any other manner,
which has the effect of changing the appearance or legibility of any of the characters of the registration mark, which renders the characters of the registration mark less easily distinguishable to the eye or which prevents or impairs the making of a true photographic image of the plate through the medium of camera and film or any other device.
(4) Section 59(2)(a) of the Act (regulations the contravention of which attracts a level 3 fine) applies to paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) of this regulation.
If you apply a tint to a registration plate you will alter the contrast between the letters and the backgroundso it fails the test here.Further requirements for registration plates
11.—(1) No reflex-reflecting material may be applied to any part of a registration plate and the plate must not be treated in such a way that the characters of the registration mark become, or are caused to act as, retroreflective characters.
(2) A registration plate must not be treated in any other way which renders the characters of the registration mark less easily distinguishable to the eye or which would prevent or impair the making of a true photographic image of the plate through the medium of camera and film or any other device.
(3) A registration plate must not be fixed to a vehicle—
(a)by means of a screw, bolt or other fixing device of any type or colour,
(b)by the placing of a screw, bolt or other fixing device in any position, or
(c)in any other manner,
which has the effect of changing the appearance or legibility of any of the characters of the registration mark, which renders the characters of the registration mark less easily distinguishable to the eye or which prevents or impairs the making of a true photographic image of the plate through the medium of camera and film or any other device.
(4) Section 59(2)(a) of the Act (regulations the contravention of which attracts a level 3 fine) applies to paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) of this regulation.
Unlawful.
There isn't much purpose in taking this to a magistrates' court as your plates are unlawful. Magistrates are used to dealing with belligerant folk who dislike regulations applied to them and to which they don't comply. I think you are heading for a disapointment.
Muppet.
jm doc said:
Tablecloth said:
Let's go right back to the beginning.
Unlawful.
You have decided that the plate doesn't need to have an identification mark to show that is satisfies the retroreflective construction of teh backing to the non-reflective letters.
Unlawful.
Unlawful.
There isn't much purpose in taking this to a magistrates' court as your plates are unlawful. Magistrates are used to dealing with belligerant folk who dislike regulations applied to them and to which they don't comply. I think you are heading for a disapointment.
So you need to demonstrate to the court that it impairs or prevents the making of a true photographic image. He doesn't.Mrgrumps said:
I have been pulled 7 times over my number plates , most police have just let me go 4 said they will take me to court, 3 decided not to . The one taking me to court did all the checks and my number plates passed all tests , so he changed his tactic and is taking me to court because they don't have the post code or bs number but I don't see why I should advertise someone else's replacement number plate business on my car . As for the bs number i don't understand why some very small letters and numbers you can only read if you are a foot away have any relevance on identifying the car as they have checked the car from the reg that they can clearly see . I feel the police are only on the road to extract as much money from the public as possible
The Law said:
The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001
SCHEDULE 2REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION PLATES
PART 1VEHICLES REGISTERED AND NEW REGISTRATION PLATES FITTED ON OR AFTER 1ST SEPTEMBER 2001 (MANDATORY SPECIFICATION)
1. The plate must be made of retroreflecting material which, as regards its construction, colour and other qualities, complies with the requirements of—
(a)the British Standard specification for retroreflecting number plates published on 15 January 1998 under number BS AU 145d(1), or
(b)any other relevant standard or specification recognised for use in an EEA State and which, when in use, offers a performance equivalent to that offered by a plate complying with the British Standard specification,
and which, in either case, is marked with the number (or such other information as is necessary to permit identification) of that standard or specification.
2. Where the registration mark is displayed on the front of the vehicle, it must have black characters on a white background.
3. Where the registration mark is displayed on the back of the vehicle, it must have black characters on a yellow background.
If the plate has a tint or has a tinted layer placed over the top of it then the plate doesn't meet the reqquirements to be blak and white or black and yellow.SCHEDULE 2REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION PLATES
PART 1VEHICLES REGISTERED AND NEW REGISTRATION PLATES FITTED ON OR AFTER 1ST SEPTEMBER 2001 (MANDATORY SPECIFICATION)
1. The plate must be made of retroreflecting material which, as regards its construction, colour and other qualities, complies with the requirements of—
(a)the British Standard specification for retroreflecting number plates published on 15 January 1998 under number BS AU 145d(1), or
(b)any other relevant standard or specification recognised for use in an EEA State and which, when in use, offers a performance equivalent to that offered by a plate complying with the British Standard specification,
and which, in either case, is marked with the number (or such other information as is necessary to permit identification) of that standard or specification.
2. Where the registration mark is displayed on the front of the vehicle, it must have black characters on a white background.
3. Where the registration mark is displayed on the back of the vehicle, it must have black characters on a yellow background.
Unlawful.
You have decided that the plate doesn't need to have an identification mark to show that is satisfies the retroreflective construction of teh backing to the non-reflective letters.
Unlawful.
The Law said:
The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001
Further requirements for registration plates
11.—(1) No reflex-reflecting material may be applied to any part of a registration plate and the plate must not be treated in such a way that the characters of the registration mark become, or are caused to act as, retroreflective characters.
(2) A registration plate must not be treated in any other way which renders the characters of the registration mark less easily distinguishable to the eye or which would prevent or impair the making of a true photographic image of the plate through the medium of camera and film or any other device.
(3) A registration plate must not be fixed to a vehicle—
(a)by means of a screw, bolt or other fixing device of any type or colour,
(b)by the placing of a screw, bolt or other fixing device in any position, or
(c)in any other manner,
which has the effect of changing the appearance or legibility of any of the characters of the registration mark, which renders the characters of the registration mark less easily distinguishable to the eye or which prevents or impairs the making of a true photographic image of the plate through the medium of camera and film or any other device.
(4) Section 59(2)(a) of the Act (regulations the contravention of which attracts a level 3 fine) applies to paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) of this regulation.
If you apply a tint to a registration plate you will alter the contrast between the letters and the backgroundso it fails the test here.Further requirements for registration plates
11.—(1) No reflex-reflecting material may be applied to any part of a registration plate and the plate must not be treated in such a way that the characters of the registration mark become, or are caused to act as, retroreflective characters.
(2) A registration plate must not be treated in any other way which renders the characters of the registration mark less easily distinguishable to the eye or which would prevent or impair the making of a true photographic image of the plate through the medium of camera and film or any other device.
(3) A registration plate must not be fixed to a vehicle—
(a)by means of a screw, bolt or other fixing device of any type or colour,
(b)by the placing of a screw, bolt or other fixing device in any position, or
(c)in any other manner,
which has the effect of changing the appearance or legibility of any of the characters of the registration mark, which renders the characters of the registration mark less easily distinguishable to the eye or which prevents or impairs the making of a true photographic image of the plate through the medium of camera and film or any other device.
(4) Section 59(2)(a) of the Act (regulations the contravention of which attracts a level 3 fine) applies to paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) of this regulation.
Unlawful.
There isn't much purpose in taking this to a magistrates' court as your plates are unlawful. Magistrates are used to dealing with belligerant folk who dislike regulations applied to them and to which they don't comply. I think you are heading for a disapointment.
Muppet.
Tablecloth said:
jm doc said:
So you need to demonstrate to the court that it impairs or prevents the making of a true photographic image. He doesn't.
Muppet.
There is no need to 'demonstrate' anything, all of the deviations mentioned are easy to explain to any f***-wit. Well there may be difficulties with some.Muppet.
If the law says the plate must be white, must have the BS stamp and "must not be treated in any other way which renders the characters of the registration mark less easily distinguishable to the eye..." then all the court needs to do is look at the plate to see that all those things have been contravened.
In fact, unless OP wants to lie in court I can't see how he can offer any defence as it's all there in black and (not)white.
PorkInsider said:
Tablecloth said:
jm doc said:
So you need to demonstrate to the court that it impairs or prevents the making of a true photographic image. He doesn't.
Muppet.
There is no need to 'demonstrate' anything, all of the deviations mentioned are easy to explain to any f***-wit. Well there may be difficulties with some.Muppet.
If the law says the plate must be white, must have the BS stamp and "must not be treated in any other way which renders the characters of the registration mark less easily distinguishable to the eye..." then all the court needs to do is look at the plate to see that all those things have been contravened.
In fact, unless OP wants to lie in court I can't see how he can offer any defence as it's all there in black and (not)white.
Especially the [not]white bit, All self evident, no proof or demonstration required.
Perhaps it was a tough day in the surgery.
ks.
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