Legality of stick on front numberplate?
Discussion
s2art said:
Anyone know the law here? I would prefer to get the numberplate out of the grill on my Tuscan to improve airflow (it gets pretty hot in traffic), and maybe give the scameras a harder time. Alternatively I guess I could try offsetting it, is there a minimum height as well?
This is the old MX5 scenario - you will get away with it - probably - but ensure that the size of the stick on plate conforms to the standards as well as the letters.
If you do get stopped, ask politely to be dealt with by way of the Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme. This will avoid prosecution so long as you get the 'defect' fixed ie. put the old plate back on, and take it to an MOT station to sign the defect off.
Tivster
Tiv
Does the same apply to older cars? My MG is 1972 and i am about to debumper it (once its back from having its le mans dents taken out)
I can mount the stick on plate either on the bonnet (slightly angled) or front valence (vertical).
I don't want a smaller plate or anything, just a standard sized stick on. IIRC Number plate rules were different from a car of that age anyway. You often see loads of historic rally cars with this set up (which mine will be in the style of)
Just curious - i'll probably do it anyway, but promise not to whinge if i get caught!
Cheers Buffalo
Does the same apply to older cars? My MG is 1972 and i am about to debumper it (once its back from having its le mans dents taken out)
I can mount the stick on plate either on the bonnet (slightly angled) or front valence (vertical).
I don't want a smaller plate or anything, just a standard sized stick on. IIRC Number plate rules were different from a car of that age anyway. You often see loads of historic rally cars with this set up (which mine will be in the style of)
Just curious - i'll probably do it anyway, but promise not to whinge if i get caught!
Cheers Buffalo
Buffalo said:
Tiv
Does the same apply to older cars? My MG is 1972 and i am about to debumper it (once its back from having its le mans dents taken out)
I can mount the stick on plate either on the bonnet (slightly angled) or front valence (vertical).
I don't want a smaller plate or anything, just a standard sized stick on. IIRC Number plate rules were different from a car of that age anyway. You often see loads of historic rally cars with this set up (which mine will be in the style of)
Just curious - i'll probably do it anyway, but promise not to whinge if i get caught!
Cheers Buffalo
It applies to any vehicle - but you always take a risk. Most normal and reasonable police won't even take a second glance - they'd be more intersted in the car if it's anything out of the ordinary.
I think cars from 1972 have to comply to the same regs re size as those after 1973. The only difference AFAIK is that you can display silver letters on a black plate.
Tivster
As far as I know your number plate must meet all the criteria and have passed BS standards. There are no approved stick on plates and I understand the only car that had them approved was the Jag E Type any other car they are technically illegal.
No 100% sure about the Jag may be urban myth.
No 100% sure about the Jag may be urban myth.
The number plate on my historic rally 1964 Cooper 'S' consists of white numbers on a painted rectangle on the bonnet, just above the 'S' badge. It has been like this for 8 years and the only trouble I have ever had was in the middle of Wales in the middle of the night at a half-way petrol stop when a thick Taffy Plod said " I hope you know your number plate's illegal". I asked him if he was having trouble reading it and that if he wanted to book me for something so trivial he should do so. I also pointed out that my buddy who helped me restore the car and who, in fact, actually put the numbers on is a Met Inspector. He sort of just walked away.
Fish is quite right when he says that post 1972 stick-on plates do NOT comply with BS (reflective index of background). In order for a pre 72 stick-on to comply with the Construction and Use Regulations, the stick-on plate has to be rectangular when viewed from 25ft (ie it can NOT be on a sloping surface)
The Etype exemption is not strictly an urban myth. I have a 1971 EType with a stick-on plate on the very sloping bonnet. I used to get my fair share of police attention from late night panda's. Their parting shot always used to be '..Your front plate is illegal, but I'll let you off this time..'
I would them show them the official Jaguar handbook, which had a photograph of the car on the cover with a stick-on plate. This was the configuration of the car when it received type approval from the then Ministry of Transport, therefore it complies with the Construction and Use Regulations.
The Etype exemption is not strictly an urban myth. I have a 1971 EType with a stick-on plate on the very sloping bonnet. I used to get my fair share of police attention from late night panda's. Their parting shot always used to be '..Your front plate is illegal, but I'll let you off this time..'
I would them show them the official Jaguar handbook, which had a photograph of the car on the cover with a stick-on plate. This was the configuration of the car when it received type approval from the then Ministry of Transport, therefore it complies with the Construction and Use Regulations.
Mr Peevly said:
Ken - I like your logic but I can't see that one persuading the magistrate.
Stick-on plates don't conform to BS AU 145d and are therefore not legal.
You see this is where i wanted clarification...
My car (being) 1972 has metal numberplates which are sprayed matt/satin black, with raised (afixed) metal silver letters. The letters are more or less the same size as new number plates (i assume they are original but don't know) although the type font has differed slightly in 30 years.
However they aren't reflective etc.
How old is the BS AU 145d?? If it is newer than 1972 and does not reference plates previous to this then i won't have to abide by those rules... This should mean that a stuck on number plate, provided it is the same type font and size (i don't agree with fancy plates with silly fonts anyway) as the original should give me no problems with the trafpoL.
I have access to technical index online at work so may hunt out this BS and see what it says.....
I'll let you read the rest its on the link
(5) In the case of a vehicle first registered before 1st January 1973, the registration plate must conform either to one of the requirements set out in Part 3 of Schedule 2 or to the requirements set out in Part 2 of that Schedule or to the requirements set out in Part 1 of that Schedule.
www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2001/20010561.htm#6
(5) In the case of a vehicle first registered before 1st January 1973, the registration plate must conform either to one of the requirements set out in Part 3 of Schedule 2 or to the requirements set out in Part 2 of that Schedule or to the requirements set out in Part 1 of that Schedule.
www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2001/20010561.htm#6
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