Another period number plate question.....

Another period number plate question.....

Author
Discussion

Wacky Racer

Original Poster:

38,154 posts

247 months

Saturday 15th July 2017
quotequote all
OK,

I understand that any vehicle registered after January 1st 1973 must have the "new" type of reflective plates

However, I have a 2011 Royal Enfield 500cc motorbike that to all intents and purposes looks like a 1955 one, only "enthusiasts" would be able to spot the difference.

The only thing is the "new" yellow/black number plate looks out completely of place, it would look far better with a black & white pressed steel plate, but obviously I don't want to fall foul of the law.

I was thinking...scratchchin...if I purchased a dateless plate from a 1950's/60's car or motorbike cheaply, for example 123 ABC or even a dated one pre '73 for example MMF 45G would that be allowed, because the plate is now legally linked to my bike, once I have paid the DVLA transfer fee?

Tom1312

1,021 posts

146 months

Saturday 15th July 2017
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Not worth the hassle. When you're riding it you can't see the plate.


Aviz

1,669 posts

169 months

Saturday 15th July 2017
quotequote all
It's actually 1976 now.

No I wouldn't be allowed technically , but I reckon you'd get away with it . Lots of the mini boys do exactly that

Phil Dicky

7,162 posts

263 months

Saturday 15th July 2017
quotequote all
Aviz said:
It's actually 1976 now.

No I wouldn't be allowed technically , but I reckon you'd get away with it . Lots of the mini boys do exactly that
Worst that would happen IMHO would be vehicle rectification if you were ever stopped, tbh I think traffic plod are too stretched to worry about things like wrong coloured plates.

CoreyDog

714 posts

90 months

Saturday 15th July 2017
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A friend of mine has a 2009 Cobra Replica, the original plates looked.... well... wrong!

He did exactly what you are considering, bought a late 60s plate in black and white and just uses that. Not had any issue at all in 18 months now, even has a small sticker plate on the front now. I'm surprised it passes the MOT but know he takes it to a 'specialist'.

End of day, your bike and your money. You know that technically it's not allowed and you run the risk of getting caught and possibly fined. Your choice mate.

Dogwatch

6,228 posts

222 months

Saturday 15th July 2017
quotequote all
Phil Dicky said:
Worst that would happen IMHO would be vehicle rectification if you were ever stopped, tbh I think traffic plod are too stretched to worry about things like wrong coloured plates.
Assuming they can work out the actual age of the bike.

There was a serious point to the introduction of reflective plates back in the day - safety. Many of the 'classics' now sporting period plates probably left the showroom with reflective plates as they were: a) trendy, b) practical.

They weren't imposed brussels style on a reluctant motoring community, they were enthusiastically adopted.

singlecoil

33,580 posts

246 months

Saturday 15th July 2017
quotequote all
Dogwatch said:
Phil Dicky said:
Worst that would happen IMHO would be vehicle rectification if you were ever stopped, tbh I think traffic plod are too stretched to worry about things like wrong coloured plates.
Assuming they can work out the actual age of the bike.

There was a serious point to the introduction of reflective plates back in the day - safety. Many of the 'classics' now sporting period plates probably left the showroom with reflective plates as they were: a) trendy, b) practical.

They weren't imposed brussels style on a reluctant motoring community, they were enthusiastically adopted.
Absolutely. Which is why silver on black plates on a TR6 (for instance) make me cringe.

ging84

8,893 posts

146 months

Saturday 15th July 2017
quotequote all
Dogwatch said:
Assuming they can work out the actual age of the bike.

There was a serious point to the introduction of reflective plates back in the day - safety. Many of the 'classics' now sporting period plates probably left the showroom with reflective plates as they were: a) trendy, b) practical.

They weren't imposed brussels style on a reluctant motoring community, they were enthusiastically adopted.
Who's safety?
the policeman trying to read it in the dark?

singlecoil

33,580 posts

246 months

Saturday 15th July 2017
quotequote all
ging84 said:
Whose safety?
the policeman trying to read it in the dark?
No.

Red Devil

13,060 posts

208 months

Saturday 15th July 2017
quotequote all
Dogwatch said:
Phil Dicky said:
Worst that would happen IMHO would be vehicle rectification if you were ever stopped, tbh I think traffic plod are too stretched to worry about things like wrong coloured plates.
Assuming they can work out the actual age of the bike.
Not exactly rocket science. I'm sure they have access to the DVLA record which will show the date of first registration (i.e. 2011 as on the V5C).

eccles

13,733 posts

222 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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My '75 Peugeot 304 came with black and silver pressed plates when I bought it, but to me looked wrong, so I went to great expense to get period correct reflective plates with the raised plastic letters/numbers. You'd be surprised how hard it is to get them!

konark

1,104 posts

119 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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By the late sixties virtually all new cars had the yellow plates, and many owners of older cars retro-fitted them to make their car appear more modern.

the tribester

2,387 posts

86 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
quotequote all
Aviz said:
It's actually 1976 now.

No I wouldn't be allowed technically , but I reckon you'd get away with it . Lots of the mini boys do exactly that
I think you're thinking of the 40 Year Rolling Exemption for classic vehicles in relation to Road Tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) , black and white rear plates remains pre 1973.

The OP says ''obviously I don't want to fall foul of the law.'' but by transferring a pre 1973 cherished registration number onto the bike will still be falling foul, although less obvious.
I wouldn't be able to tell, it's only when the Enfields started getting electric start and then fuel injection that it becomes more obvious to me about the age of the bike.

craigjm

17,949 posts

200 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
quotequote all
the tribester said:
Aviz said:
It's actually 1976 now.

No I wouldn't be allowed technically , but I reckon you'd get away with it . Lots of the mini boys do exactly that
I think you're thinking of the 40 Year Rolling Exemption for classic vehicles in relation to Road Tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) , black and white rear plates remains pre 1973.
You are wrong and Aviz is correct

ClaphamGT3

11,300 posts

243 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
quotequote all
konark said:
By the late sixties virtually all new cars had the yellow plates, and many owners of older cars retro-fitted them to make their car appear more modern.
Very much this. A real memory of growing up in the early/mid seventies was all sorts of 60s chod with reflective plates

the tribester

2,387 posts

86 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
quotequote all
craigjm said:
the tribester said:
Aviz said:
It's actually 1976 now.

No I wouldn't be allowed technically , but I reckon you'd get away with it . Lots of the mini boys do exactly that
I think you're thinking of the 40 Year Rolling Exemption for classic vehicles in relation to Road Tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) , black and white rear plates remains pre 1973.
You are wrong and Aviz is correct
Well I'm blowed.

So the 'pre 73 style plates' rules is also in the rolling 40 year rule, as long as the owner has completed the histroic tax class bit. I didn't know that. Thanks.

craigjm

17,949 posts

200 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
quotequote all
the tribester said:
Well I'm blowed.

So the 'pre 73 style plates' rules is also in the rolling 40 year rule, as long as the owner has completed the histroic tax class bit. I didn't know that. Thanks.
Indeed. It can't continue surely though. I mean my XJ Coupe would look great on black plates but in 4 years time if it continues then Mk3 Escorts etc will be able to run them and that will just look weird

TheTwitcher

161 posts

88 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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Be OK provided you don't get them tinted.

Wacky Racer

Original Poster:

38,154 posts

247 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
quotequote all
Here's the bike in question:-




Cheers for the replies btw.

craigjm

17,949 posts

200 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
quotequote all
TheTwitcher said:
Be OK provided you don't get them tinted.
hehe