A question about having 2 different "numberplates"

A question about having 2 different "numberplates"

Author
Discussion

Pit Pony

Original Poster:

8,624 posts

122 months

Monday 1st April
quotequote all
Pedantic post.

On Sunday I was down the beach carpark pushing my grandson in his pushchair, when I noticed a police quadbike, parked up chatting to the national Trust volunteers trying to flog memberships.

On the back of the quad bike, there were 2 numberplates, one an actual DVLA issued number and the other identical in size, identical font, identical materials, black letters on yellow reflective background. attached to the top box, with lighting.

Not a DVLA issued number, because it read POLICE

Now here's the question. How did they get them made up legally ? Did they make them up themselves? If they did, are they allowed to display numberplates that aren't actually what's on the V5. Obviously they are the police so can do what they like and nobody is going to say anything. But technically isn't it all a bit dodgy?

Did not seem to have a makers mark, but from a distance seemed to have a BS kitemark or something in the corner.

Boosted LS1

21,188 posts

261 months

Monday 1st April
quotequote all
^ I've got one of hose on my car. It says ' car brand' and isn't a number registration plate

Nibbles_bits

1,080 posts

40 months

Monday 1st April
quotequote all
Like how truckers have their nicknames?

Police workshops make their own plates. As it's not a road legal plate (and isn't being used as a number plate) it won't need any markings

The Rotrex Kid

30,335 posts

161 months

Monday 1st April
quotequote all
I mean, because it’s the police? I expect they have some special allowance to get it/display it in the same way they get to have those flashing blue lights and loud sirens that the general public aren’t allowed.

As a guess.

pork911

7,165 posts

184 months

Monday 1st April
quotequote all
Nibbles_bits said:
and isn't being used as a number plate
Is it not?

cuprabob

14,673 posts

215 months

Monday 1st April
quotequote all
pork911 said:
Nibbles_bits said:
and isn't being used as a number plate
Is it not?
No, it's a letter plate smile

Nibbles_bits

1,080 posts

40 months

Monday 1st April
quotequote all
pork911 said:
Nibbles_bits said:
and isn't being used as a number plate
Is it not?
Not if, as the OP has said, there is a construction and use compliant number plate in use.

OutInTheShed

7,666 posts

27 months

Monday 1st April
quotequote all
You can get plates made easily.
I bought two last year, "Private" and "Road".

martinbiz

3,096 posts

146 months

Monday 1st April
quotequote all
pork911 said:
Nibbles_bits said:
and isn't being used as a number plate
Is it not?
What do you think? Is it being used to represent the VRM of the vehicle concerned?

Simpo Two

85,526 posts

266 months

Monday 1st April
quotequote all
OutInTheShed said:
You can get plates made easily.
I bought two last year, "Private" and "Road".
Indeed, 'show plates' can say anything you want.

If I had a show plate with a word on it, and stuck it on my car next to the proper plate, would I get pulled over?

RGG

259 posts

18 months

Monday 1st April
quotequote all
Interesting question.

I initially thought quad bikes like motorbikes require a rear number plate only.

But, google says quite clearly - they should show front and rear number plates.

"The advice the government gives online regarding numberplates is confusing, though, as it states that light agricultural vehicles need “a numberplate” (singular) while those registered as a PLG need “a front and rear numberplate”. However, having discussed this with the DVLA, we can now clarify that any quad bike used on public roads has to display a numberplate at the front and a numberplate at the rear. It is not mandatory to wear a helmet when riding a quad on the roads, but it is advisable."

Edited by RGG on Monday 1st April 21:08

Sebring440

2,021 posts

97 months

Monday 1st April
quotequote all
Pit Pony said:
Pedantic post.

On Sunday I was down the beach carpark pushing my grandson in his pushchair, when I noticed a police quadbike, parked up chatting to the national Trust volunteers trying to flog memberships.

On the back of the quad bike, there were 2 numberplates, one an actual DVLA issued number and the other identical in size, identical font, identical materials, black letters on yellow reflective background. attached to the top box, with lighting.

Not a DVLA issued number, because it read POLICE

Now here's the question. How did they get them made up legally ? Did they make them up themselves? If they did, are they allowed to display numberplates that aren't actually what's on the V5. Obviously they are the police so can do what they like and nobody is going to say anything. But technically isn't it all a bit dodgy?

Did not seem to have a makers mark, but from a distance seemed to have a BS kitemark or something in the corner.
Have you seriously got nothing better to do this evening?

If it upsets you so much, complain most strenuously to your force's crime commissioner. Also post on their Twitter and Facebook accounts. Let them know your feelings!


littleredrooster

5,538 posts

197 months

Monday 1st April
quotequote all
Pit Pony said:
On the back of the quad bike, there were 2 numberplates...
No, I think you'll find that there was one 'numberplate' and one reflective sign as allowed by the regulations which govern identification of Emergency (and other) vehicles.

pork911

7,165 posts

184 months

Monday 1st April
quotequote all
martinbiz said:
pork911 said:
Nibbles_bits said:
and isn't being used as a number plate
Is it not?
What do you think? Is it being used to represent the VRM of the vehicle concerned?
A bit circular.

LotsOfLaughs

188 posts

16 months

Monday 1st April
quotequote all
As others have said, so long as the other numberplate isnt actually a numberplate, and very obviously says something different, then thats fine.
If you want to buy a numberplate, you need to take a few documents to the numberplate shop to prove you own the car etc etc. However you can go on Ebay or your local numberplate printer and ask for BIG COCK and they shall oblige, but if you ask for B19 COK theyll ask for proof you own that car, whatever it may be.

Pica-Pica

13,825 posts

85 months

Tuesday 2nd April
quotequote all
RGG said:
Interesting question.

I initially thought quad bikes like motorbikes require a rear number plate only.

But, google says quite clearly - they should show front and rear number plates.

"The advice the government gives online regarding numberplates is confusing, though, as it states that light agricultural vehicles need “a numberplate” (singular) while those registered as a PLG need “a front and rear numberplate”. However, having discussed this with the DVLA, we can now clarify that any quad bike used on public roads has to display a numberplate at the front and a numberplate at the rear. It is not mandatory to wear a helmet when riding a quad on the roads, but it is advisable."

Edited by RGG on Monday 1st April 21:08
Quad bikes DO require a front plate. The requirement for a front number plate on a motorcycle was dropped, because they were mounted longitudinally on the front mudguard, and as such were quite lethal to pedestrians.
I had a new motorbike just after the need for them was dropped. I was stopped for speeding (during the 1970’s fuel crisis when the 70 limit was dropped to 50 to conserve fuel stocks). The policeman walked around my bike ‘where’s your front number plate?’. ‘It doesn’t need one’. ‘Well, your bike’s so dirty, I thought it must be an old one’. He was clearly trying to wind me up. I still got the points, no SACs back then.

Pit Pony

Original Poster:

8,624 posts

122 months

Tuesday 2nd April
quotequote all
Sebring440 said:
Pit Pony said:
Pedantic post.

On Sunday I was down the beach carpark pushing my grandson in his pushchair, when I noticed a police quadbike, parked up chatting to the national Trust volunteers trying to flog memberships.

On the back of the quad bike, there were 2 numberplates, one an actual DVLA issued number and the other identical in size, identical font, identical materials, black letters on yellow reflective background. attached to the top box, with lighting.

Not a DVLA issued number, because it read POLICE

Now here's the question. How did they get them made up legally ? Did they make them up themselves? If they did, are they allowed to display numberplates that aren't actually what's on the V5. Obviously they are the police so can do what they like and nobody is going to say anything. But technically isn't it all a bit dodgy?

Did not seem to have a makers mark, but from a distance seemed to have a BS kitemark or something in the corner.
Have you seriously got nothing better to do this evening?

If it upsets you so much, complain most strenuously to your force's crime commissioner. Also post on their Twitter and Facebook accounts. Let them know your feelings!
Harsh. It's interesting what comes into my mind occassionally. I thought I'd share with friends the thing that came into my mind yesterday.

Maybe you should try to be more kind.

Pit Pony

Original Poster:

8,624 posts

122 months

Tuesday 2nd April
quotequote all
littleredrooster said:
Pit Pony said:
On the back of the quad bike, there were 2 numberplates...
No, I think you'll find that there was one 'numberplate' and one reflective sign as allowed by the regulations which govern identification of Emergency (and other) vehicles.
Do regulations allow it to look and feel like a numberplate ?

Nibbles_bits

1,080 posts

40 months

Tuesday 2nd April
quotequote all
But 'POLICE' doesn't look like a number plate.

Cat

3,022 posts

270 months

Tuesday 2nd April
quotequote all
Pica-Pica said:
Quad bikes DO require a front plate. The requirement for a front number plate on a motorcycle was dropped, because they were mounted longitudinally on the front mudguard, and as such were quite lethal to pedestrians.
I had a new motorbike just after the need for them was dropped. I was stopped for speeding (during the 1970’s fuel crisis when the 70 limit was dropped to 50 to conserve fuel stocks). The policeman walked around my bike ‘where’s your front number plate?’. ‘It doesn’t need one’. ‘Well, your bike’s so dirty, I thought it must be an old one’. He was clearly trying to wind me up. I still got the points, no SACs back then.
He was definitely trying to wind you up if you got points in the 70s. They didn't exist until the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 came into force.

Cat