Incorrect number plate spacing?
Discussion
I know this topic has probably been done to death so i'll apologise in advance for bringing it up again.
Anyway, i've just had a significant birthday (50) and wanted something to 'celebrate' it. I've never had a personal plate or even been that interested in having one but decided it's something that doesn't cost a fortune and will stay with me the rest of my life so why not.
Now, the plate i've bought looks ok spaced correctly but with an extra space would look better. I'm in a dilemma over this because i see so many much more manipulated plates out there that one extra space is pretty mild to my mind.....but it is still against the rules so
I'm probably going to chicken out and just fit a correctly spaced plate as i usually go to work at 2.30am when bored patrol officers are looking for an excuse to pull somebody over (no disrespect).
If any of you can be bothered with this old chestnut i'd like to read your thoughts, if not, no worries
Anyway, i've just had a significant birthday (50) and wanted something to 'celebrate' it. I've never had a personal plate or even been that interested in having one but decided it's something that doesn't cost a fortune and will stay with me the rest of my life so why not.
Now, the plate i've bought looks ok spaced correctly but with an extra space would look better. I'm in a dilemma over this because i see so many much more manipulated plates out there that one extra space is pretty mild to my mind.....but it is still against the rules so
I'm probably going to chicken out and just fit a correctly spaced plate as i usually go to work at 2.30am when bored patrol officers are looking for an excuse to pull somebody over (no disrespect).
If any of you can be bothered with this old chestnut i'd like to read your thoughts, if not, no worries
sjc said:
You’ll be more likely to be stopped at that time of the morning to be questioned at length about whether you’re on an essential journey than your plate....
Why? Are we in a lockdown or something? 
The government has deemed it essential that i go to work and deliver building materials to building sites this time round
Go for it.
The moaners who call you out are probably the same ones who drool over a rare paint finish or a set of alloy wheels. Try walking up to someone who owns a car with either of those and call him an attention seeker and see how it goes.
We all like to own things which stand out and give us a good feeling. If a number plate which has a personal significance to you does that then buy it.
Drawweight said:
Go for it.
The moaners who call you out are probably the same ones who drool over a rare paint finish or a set of alloy wheels. Try walking up to someone who owns a car with either of those and call him an attention seeker and see how it goes.
We all like to own things which stand out and give us a good feeling. If a number plate which has a personal significance to you does that then buy it.
Or speed occasionally on his motorbike, hypocrite. This place has become unbearably drab. The moaners who call you out are probably the same ones who drool over a rare paint finish or a set of alloy wheels. Try walking up to someone who owns a car with either of those and call him an attention seeker and see how it goes.
We all like to own things which stand out and give us a good feeling. If a number plate which has a personal significance to you does that then buy it.
Speaking as a traffic cop, and this is probably a reasonably widespread view, when it comes to plates:
-So long as you’ve got the correct font, size etc and the car ANPR will read it properly a little bit of mis spacing will generally be overlooked.
-Hell, on modified cars so long as something half reasonable is on the front you’ll be alright.
-Utter spoons who use screws to change letters, completely wacky fonts, altering spacing between letters (13 to B etc), dark tinted plates...always a pull, almost always a ticket
-Front plates that have ‘just’ ‘fallen off’ a beautifully polished modded front bumper... always a pull, always a ticket.
I cannot however speak for the fashion police.
-So long as you’ve got the correct font, size etc and the car ANPR will read it properly a little bit of mis spacing will generally be overlooked.
-Hell, on modified cars so long as something half reasonable is on the front you’ll be alright.
-Utter spoons who use screws to change letters, completely wacky fonts, altering spacing between letters (13 to B etc), dark tinted plates...always a pull, almost always a ticket
-Front plates that have ‘just’ ‘fallen off’ a beautifully polished modded front bumper... always a pull, always a ticket.
I cannot however speak for the fashion police.
May we enquire as to what the plate is, and how you see mis-spacing it would enhance it?
My view, is that a good private plate is one that "says" what you want it to, even when it is made up properly.
If it has to be mis-spaced to say what you want it to, it's not good.
Sounds like yours could be displayed correctly and still bring you joy. Do it that way.
My view, is that a good private plate is one that "says" what you want it to, even when it is made up properly.
If it has to be mis-spaced to say what you want it to, it's not good.
Sounds like yours could be displayed correctly and still bring you joy. Do it that way.
If not doing it will niggle at you, then just go for it. Try it with the plate how you’d like it, and just be prepared for the worst case scenario, i.e. getting pulled over and a £100 ticket (or an additional £100 added on to anything a camera might catch you for - speeding, red light etc). If you accept this as a possibility, it won’t seem so bad if it ever happens. Also depends if the occasional £100 is a lot of money for you.
I had a mid-spaced plate for 5 years. Drove mostly around central London which is crawling with police. That included driving past, directly in front of and behind all manner of police vehicles. Patrol cars, armed response X5’s, vans and motorbikes. Nothing. The only reprimand I ever got was while sitting in traffic in Sussex - an officer in an unmarked car (which happened to draw level with me in the next lane) told me it wasn’t a legal plate and needed to be replaced. No ticket.
For the time being at least, simply not driving like an utter tool, being properly insured and taxed etc will probably allow you to avoid a ticket. However, if you’re in a sleepy shire where the traffic police spend their afternoons parked in a lay-by drinking tea, the risk will be greater. Also be prepared for new legislation this year or next, which may make it a 3 points offence.
I had a mid-spaced plate for 5 years. Drove mostly around central London which is crawling with police. That included driving past, directly in front of and behind all manner of police vehicles. Patrol cars, armed response X5’s, vans and motorbikes. Nothing. The only reprimand I ever got was while sitting in traffic in Sussex - an officer in an unmarked car (which happened to draw level with me in the next lane) told me it wasn’t a legal plate and needed to be replaced. No ticket.
For the time being at least, simply not driving like an utter tool, being properly insured and taxed etc will probably allow you to avoid a ticket. However, if you’re in a sleepy shire where the traffic police spend their afternoons parked in a lay-by drinking tea, the risk will be greater. Also be prepared for new legislation this year or next, which may make it a 3 points offence.
What’s the no’s and letters.
One problem with private plates is virtually all just read garbage. Even ones cocked about with to try and say something: generally are nothing close to even a derivative of a word.
I followed a disco the other day. Letters and no’s messed about with the spell his name out. He’d even written his name in full in the bottom of the plate. It still wasn’t even close. At that point it’s just desperately sad.
Personally I think misspelling/ spacing etc of plates is crime that deserves the owner to be smacked in the face with a lump hammer and their car crushed. And their collection of football shirts burnt.
But I’m a miserable bugger.
Be helpful to know what you want to spell out. That’s the problem with these threads: half a tale.
If yr plate is JIM 50. Brilliant
if it’s J711 SOJ. And J71 (insert black screw) 1 S O (space) J. Then it’s a bit sad.
One problem with private plates is virtually all just read garbage. Even ones cocked about with to try and say something: generally are nothing close to even a derivative of a word.
I followed a disco the other day. Letters and no’s messed about with the spell his name out. He’d even written his name in full in the bottom of the plate. It still wasn’t even close. At that point it’s just desperately sad.
Personally I think misspelling/ spacing etc of plates is crime that deserves the owner to be smacked in the face with a lump hammer and their car crushed. And their collection of football shirts burnt.
But I’m a miserable bugger.
Be helpful to know what you want to spell out. That’s the problem with these threads: half a tale.
If yr plate is JIM 50. Brilliant
if it’s J711 SOJ. And J71 (insert black screw) 1 S O (space) J. Then it’s a bit sad.
TGTiff said:
I had this many a moon ago
Correct font everything
But just miss spaced
VX XXXX instead of
VXX XXX
£100 fine
Darkest Dimchurch at 22.30 board coppers...
Lots of those about recently. You'd think they might go nick some nonces. Saw 5 officers writing someone up for expired mot at my local BP. 5!Correct font everything
But just miss spaced
VX XXXX instead of
VXX XXX
£100 fine
Darkest Dimchurch at 22.30 board coppers...
I’ve never been sure why people hide their registration numbers online but drive the car round with it on full display to the whole world. There must be a reason but not sure what it is so at the risk of finding out the hard way but to put the thread into context this is what i’ve bought.
OH51 FFS.
Or...... OH 51 FFS?
My name is Simon.
OH51 FFS.
Or...... OH 51 FFS?
My name is Simon.
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