Private plate= early warning sign of an idiot at the wheel?

[Derp]

NiceCupOfTea said:

What a tt! In fog I normally make sure my foglights are off and drive at the speed limit irrespective of visibility

Surly it makes sense to switch off the rear one when a car is behind you at a close distance.

Then when the gap opens up you switch them back on.

But i assume you're one of the inconsiderate souls who doesnt give a toss about anyone else on the road.

I bet you stand on the brakes when you're sat at the lights for ages too, dont you?

[drivin_me_nuts]

Derp said:

Surly it makes sense to switch off the rear one when a car is behind you at a close distance.

Then when the gap opens up you switch them back on.

But i assume you're one of the inconsiderate souls who doesnt give a toss about anyone else on the road.

I bet you stand on the brakes when you're sat at the lights for ages too, dont you?

I so occasionally think that the best thing we can add to the rear of a car is one of those race rain lights.

[CampDavid]

Alex said:

CampDavid said:

TwigtheWonderkid said:

I'd changed my name to match my existing plate...it was cheaper.

Although my surname is now Gxp, which is a bit unusaul.

Lee Evens. About 1996

Viz Top Tips circa 1986.

No such thing as an original gag, eh

[Chrisw666]

RenesisEvo said:

The idea that a private plate masks the age of a car is valid, but the reverse simply isn't true - in that even if the car does have a plate that shows the age of the car, not everyone pays attention to it. E.g. sat in a fellow PHer's F430 in a petrol station, someone else asked him if it was new, despite the car having a normal UK plate that clearly dates the car. So in conclusion, people who worry about hiding the age of the car are only concerned with what similarly [narrow- IMO] minded people are concerned about. Not to say that's the sole reason behind having one - the only person I know with a 'private plate' has it as an heirloom - transferred from a deceased relatives car when the car had to be scrapped.

I think a bad driver is a bad driver, regardless of what car they are in, or what the number plate says.

Most post was a tongue in cheek dig at hiding the age of an E46, anyone who is fooled into thinking a rusty ford puma is newer because of it's number plate needs to be shot.

[KingNothing]

Do Mercedes come with private plate on the checklist for the additional extras when ordered, it's got to be the car marque with the highest ratio of private plate drivers I've ever seen, I've forgotten what a Merc with an old style or a new style number plate looks like it's been that long. If it's a ropey looking 18 year old W202 odds are it'll have a private plate.

Edited by KingNothing on Tuesday 11th September 14:59

[Jaguar steve]

J4CKO said:

I think some private plate owners manage to drive well, be courteous and just get on with it, albeit with a slightly more distinctive plate that perhaps is an heirloom, there is a hint of class if it is the right car, the right plate and it is spaced and displayed within the law. Other plates can be funny, or applicable, and these can raise a smile or mean something to those in the know, easy to identify with these.

However, some people admire the above and try to emulate and improve on it with creative spacing and they feel it bestows some kind of status and privilege upon them, they have decided they are special and important, there is a certain type, they drive certain cars, in a certain manner, we have all come across them, they seem desperate to inspire jealousy or cause a reaction, or just get where they are going at someone elses expense, expecting other users to defer to their greatness, sometimes they are just cretins, usually in something trendy with a cheap plate that Spells their name, or some approximation of it through judicious use of screws, spacing, fonts or just blatant misrepresentation.

there is a place for private plates, but sometimes I am sad to say I do use it as a clue as to how the vehicle will be driven.

Hit nail on head - that's neatly summed up the difference between somebody with a Real Good plate and somebody with a Chavplate.

[Ozzie Osmond]

What a ....

[AdeTuono]

xPOW said:

PhilTDi said:

Twincam16 said:

I think it depends on the plate itself. If it relates to the car, fair enough. If it relates to the driver - oh dear. The equivalent of spending loads of money on a nice handmade fitted suit, then wearing a massive name-badge on it.

I find it slightly depressing that nearly every nice high-end car these days has a private plate. Surely there's something inherently cool about a supercar or luxury saloon that makes people think 'I wonder who that is?' There's nothing cool about announcing your appearance by punching people in the face with a knuckleduster with your name emblazoned on it.

I mean, I saw a Manx-registered AMG Merc burbling around Maidenhead the other day bearing the private plate 'PEN 15'. What am I meant to make of that other than 'the driver of this vehicle is a complete and utter cock'?

I believe thats Chris Tarrant's car?

Steve Berry's I think.

Given that Steve Berry was on the same show speaking out against personal plates, I doubt it very much. The only plate that would suit him better would read C11 NTT with an appropriately placed black screw. But PEN 1S was owned by Steve Parrish, so you're half right.

[RenesisEvo]

Chrisw666 said:

Most post was a tongue in cheek dig at hiding the age of an E46, anyone who is fooled into thinking a rusty ford puma is newer because of it's number plate needs to be shot.

Agreed, I did think there was some tongue-in-cheek in your post. Still, my point stands.

[Pork]

AdeTuono said:

xPOW said:

PhilTDi said:

Twincam16 said:

I think it depends on the plate itself. If it relates to the car, fair enough. If it relates to the driver - oh dear. The equivalent of spending loads of money on a nice handmade fitted suit, then wearing a massive name-badge on it.

I find it slightly depressing that nearly every nice high-end car these days has a private plate. Surely there's something inherently cool about a supercar or luxury saloon that makes people think 'I wonder who that is?' There's nothing cool about announcing your appearance by punching people in the face with a knuckleduster with your name emblazoned on it.

I mean, I saw a Manx-registered AMG Merc burbling around Maidenhead the other day bearing the private plate 'PEN 15'. What am I meant to make of that other than 'the driver of this vehicle is a complete and utter cock'?

I believe thats Chris Tarrant's car?

Steve Berry's I think.

Given that Steve Berry was on the same show speaking out against personal plates, I doubt it very much. The only plate that would suit him better would read C11 NTT with an appropriately placed black screw. But PEN 1S was owned by Steve Parrish, so you're half right.

On the PEN15 plate, I added the below, earlier in the thread.

Pork said:

PhilTDi said:

Apologies - David Hamilton! http://www.regtransfers.co.uk/main/STORIES/d1ddyp2...

I don't believe David Hamilton owns PEN 15. Its been owned by a couple of people, the most 'famous' would be Steve Parrish, the truck driver. He also had 60CK on an eType. The last time I saw the number, it was on Reg Transfers SMART car, as in the pics on the Diddy Hamilton piece, above.

[squeezebm]

Derp

owned and then trys to defend..........priceless ph

[Wacky Racer]

Derp said:

I hate private plates.

They are a stronger warning of "im a fking idiot and cant drive so i joined the private plate brigade" than any audi or bmw will ever be.

This^^^

Example:-

Singer Russell Watson..."I bought T3 NOR because obviously it spells TENOR"


No, it doesn't you numpty it spells T3 NOR ffs!


(No problem with somebody called John Taylor buying JT 1 by the way (for example.)

[*Al*]

I have a couple of private plates, one does have a 'slight' spacing error the other spaced correctly. In the later car i drive perfectly. I've always wondered why, cheers.

[B.J.W]

Private Plates on the Audi and Aston. I drive with care and consideration, and am always happy to wave a fellow motorist through from side roads etc

I drive the MX5 like I stole it, particularly in the wet when the budget tyres provide plenty of tail happy action.

Hmmmm

[whoami]

Wacky Racer said:

Derp said:

I hate private plates.

They are a stronger warning of "im a fking idiot and cant drive so i joined the private plate brigade" than any audi or bmw will ever be.

This^^^

Example:-

Singer Russell Watson..."I bought T3 NOR because obviously it spells TENOR"


No, it doesn't you numpty it spells T3 NOR ffs!


(No problem with somebody called John Taylor buying JT 1 by the way (for example.)

I see you missed all the "fun" earlier then?

[Caulkhead]

Private plate? Stupid name for a publicly available number plate. Americans call them vanity plates which is far more apt.

[Vipers]

Cant stand Jeremy Vine, self centred tt of the highest order, if he is losing a debate he either butts in or says "We must wrap this up".

I recall some time ago, a guy was trying to answer Vines question, and as usual, he kept butting in, eventially in rather a loud voice the guy said

"Jermmy! if you shut up, I will answer your question".






P.S. You dont need "Privae Plates" to drive like an idiot, we seem them every day. And yes I have my own plate, it doesnt affect my driving, I am still the curtious driver I have been for over 40 years and didnt suddenly change my ways when I got the plate about 6 years ago, so shuv that in your pipe Jeremy and put it where the sun dont shine.

[nurseholliday]

We're all intelligent people here, right.

Idiots with personal plates stand out because you have something to remember, just like the hot blonde in the convertible Mini who almost ruined the front of your car, and the boy racer in his mum's Civic with a big wing on it. All those other idiots who drive cars that blend in, you don't remember because there's nothing notable about their cars that make them stand out and worthy of remembering.

Also, Jeremy Vine is a massive bell end. I'm glad we're all in agreement regarding this more pressing matter.

[whoami]

nurseholliday said:

Jeremy Vine is a massive bell end. I'm glad we're all in agreement regarding this more pressing matter.

Quite.

Also, top lurking.

[lockhart flawse]

[quote=nurseholliday]We're all intelligent people here, right.

Hmmmm....