Front Numberplates.........be warned

[Chr1sch]

Take a read folks - be warned!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... POLICE - FRONT NUMBERPLATES - VX 220

[Scott330ci]

You are joking surely.

[Chr1sch]

Agreed it seems nuts but i get the feeling Le Mans really is pay day for the French Plod!

[5678]

Thank fk my plate is screwed on then!

[Johno]

Rear plates on many TVR's (mine included) are stuck on with no rivets as thats the design, it also happens my front plate is the same.

Could be interesting if they ask us to drill and rivet especially as I've just had a re-spray. I'm likely to be less inclined to shag up my freshly done paint to satisfy Mr Plod as I'm sure the VX guys were as well.

May just stick on some false ones to avoid the aggro. . .

[tvrman]

Mine is crewed on, but not really as big as it should be. Anyone got any experiences with small plates in France ?

Or just pop the larger plate on for leaving England, and first 30 miles of France ?

Ian

[NormanD]

Fixing number plates on with double sided sticky pads is standard in the UK now

So if that is OK with UK Laws and MOT's etc when due the French should not nab you if just a visitor.

[Ranger 6]

Huh? have been travelling through France to go skiing for the last 7 years with stuck on plates on different cars. Never any bother...

[5678]

Ranger 6 said:

Huh? have been travelling through France to go skiing for the last 7 years with stuck on plates on different cars. Never any bother...

Is there perhaps more to the story then?

[Nick M]

NormanD said:

Fixing number plates on with double sided sticky pads is standard in the UK now

So if that is OK with UK Laws and MOT's etc when due the French should not nab you if just a visitor.

I strongly suspect this is a case of the French applying their rules to foreign cars either through ignorance or on the basis that most people will comply and cough up the fine rather than try to argue at the roadside, in French.

I'm pretty sure, but not certain, that it's only rules which directly impact safety which must be complied with when driving in other countries, e.g. the high-viz vests, headlight deflectors, etc. But I certainly would not expect my car to suddenly have to comply with French legislation, because I understand a lot of modifications which are perfectly legal here in the UK are not permitted in France. And kit cars are a whole different story apparently !

[NormanD]

The other year there was a scare about having eared wire wheel spinners fitted to our cars

[mat205125]

Nick M said:

NormanD said:

Fixing number plates on with double sided sticky pads is standard in the UK now

So if that is OK with UK Laws and MOT's etc when due the French should not nab you if just a visitor.

I strongly suspect this is a case of the French applying their rules to foreign cars either through ignorance or on the basis that most people will comply and cough up the fine rather than try to argue at the roadside, in French.

.... which is why they nab you on your way back from the port, rather than as your exit into their country. The get you when the defect matters least, as you only have another few yards left to drive in their country, however when you are more likely to cough up and want to be on your way for a deadline.

I agree that this numberplate regulation is being abused to scam moneys out of the Brits, however there are some regulations that your cars will always have to comply with regardless of whether type approval and MOT tests in your home nation regulate it or not, for example the high vis rule, winter tyres in some regions at certain times of the year, tread depth, and even modifications / repairs using non-TUV components in Germany.

[Gaspode]

NormanD said:

The other year there was a scare about having eared wire wheel spinners fitted to our cars

I've been going to France with eared spinners on my wire wheels for years with no problem at all. On the Route Nationales and the D roads, I have found speed traps to be very infrequent, and usually they are very well signposted. One year we were 'making progress' and came upon a speed trap. As soon as they saw us the Gendarmes stood away from the cameras and from their waves and thumbs up made it very plain they weren't interested in nicking us. Dick about on the Autoroutes, though, and they'll have you. It can get very expensive and very serious very quickly if you do silly speeds.

I think there may be a bit more to this story. Maybe the VX220 pilots were behaving a bit exuberantly?

[ccr32]

mat205125 said:

Nick M said:

NormanD said:

Fixing number plates on with double sided sticky pads is standard in the UK now

So if that is OK with UK Laws and MOT's etc when due the French should not nab you if just a visitor.

I strongly suspect this is a case of the French applying their rules to foreign cars either through ignorance or on the basis that most people will comply and cough up the fine rather than try to argue at the roadside, in French.

.... which is why they nab you on your way back from the port, rather than as your exit into their country. The get you when the defect matters least, as you only have another few yards left to drive in their country, however when you are more likely to cough up and want to be on your way for a deadline.

I agree that this numberplate regulation is being abused to scam moneys out of the Brits, however there are some regulations that your cars will always have to comply with regardless of whether type approval and MOT tests in your home nation regulate it or not, for example the high vis rule, winter tyres in some regions at certain times of the year, tread depth, and even modifications / repairs using non-TUV components in Germany.

I hear that Le Plod are now fining people for having the steering wheel on the right-hand side of the car, as it doesn't conform to their regulations

[johnhere]

An MOT in France last 2 years so does that mean any French visitors who’s French MOT is older than 1 year is committing an offence here in the UK.

[Dr Imran T]

ccr32 said:

mat205125 said:

Nick M said:

NormanD said:

Fixing number plates on with double sided sticky pads is standard in the UK now

So if that is OK with UK Laws and MOT's etc when due the French should not nab you if just a visitor.

I strongly suspect this is a case of the French applying their rules to foreign cars either through ignorance or on the basis that most people will comply and cough up the fine rather than try to argue at the roadside, in French.

.... which is why they nab you on your way back from the port, rather than as your exit into their country. The get you when the defect matters least, as you only have another few yards left to drive in their country, however when you are more likely to cough up and want to be on your way for a deadline.

I agree that this numberplate regulation is being abused to scam moneys out of the Brits, however there are some regulations that your cars will always have to comply with regardless of whether type approval and MOT tests in your home nation regulate it or not, for example the high vis rule, winter tyres in some regions at certain times of the year, tread depth, and even modifications / repairs using non-TUV components in Germany.

I hear that Le Plod are now fining people for having the steering wheel on the right-hand side of the car, as it doesn't conform to their regulations

I don't get this. We go to France all the time and have never had any problems with the French Police. It could be just because of Le Mans mind you?

[mat205125]

johnhere said:

An MOT in France last 2 years so does that mean any French visitors who’s French MOT is older than 1 year is committing an offence here in the UK.

I'd love to be a UK traffic cop

[leyorkie]

The fixing with rivets is new style registrations (AB-123-XX), I have 2 cars with old style registrations (1234 AA 72) and they don't have to be changed.
It is easy to attach the head of a pop rivet to a stuck on plate, they would have to pull them off to check.