4D number plates - thoughts?

[captain.scarlet]

I'm not sure whether there are other topics on this or where in the forum, but I didn't want to hijack the C124PPY thread.

I've noticed in recent months here in Yorkshire that there's been a sudden spike in 4D number plates on cars. It's suddenly become the latest fad, and wasn't anywhere near as endemic pre-Covid. What's the situation like where you are and what do you make of them?

The concept of the effect IMO is interesting but I think it looks somewhat tacky.

I also can't help but think these shouldn't be allowed, not least after noticing this evening that at certain angles the entire registration number becomes completely illegible and blurred.

That's before you get on to the optional coloured shadows beneath the characters...

I know that raised 3D plates existed in the past and certainly until around the mid-1980s, and that 3D effect plates have emerged, but the situation then was that there was no single legal typeface and dimensions. They worked in the past and they wouldn't have been illegible on a wide, large font.

Does anyone know of anyone who's had issues with 4D plates?

[captain.scarlet]

As I say, I get what they're trying to achieve, but they don't add any improvement whatsoever to a car as they look a bit too tacky for my liking. I know that taste is subjective but it's a trend that's catching on more and more as we come out of lockdown.

I am genuinely curious about the legality of these because you can obscure your reg. number at certain angles. And what is the maximum depth of a character? Are these stuck on above actual printed characters?

I suppose if there is any saving grace it's that they can't end up with number plates obscured by mud and road spray.

[captain.scarlet]

Alex_225 said:

I really don't have an issue with them, I mean from every angle they look pretty much the same as normal plates. Just from an angle the letters appear raised.

I take more issue with missing plates, stupid fonts (less common now), stupid illegal spacing and worst of all the tinted plates so they're just dark and harder to read for no purpose I can fathom!

Thanks everyone for your remarks. Seems that the majority of PHers so far on this thread dislike them.

I think they look too 'bold typeface' and generally tacky, much like those cut down plates mentioned above in the thread.

They're the type of plates appealing to the likes of people who they're a BO55 and have the private plates to match as well.

On the topic of fonts, it's good to see the back of ridiculous fonts, but I remember that Ford, VW (along with Skoda) and French manufacturers always used to use their own preferred fonts on new vehicles pre-51 reg. Shame that kind of individuality has gone, in a nostalgic way.

I read the link another PHer has sent above, a couple of hours ago. It seems that there are new standards that are due to come into force soon and it could be the case that there's a rush to get 4D plates because, as the link suggests, 4D plates and even 3D effect plates (the 2D plates that use shading to look embossed) are set to be banned. So hoorah for the demise of 4D and jelly mould plates!

I suppose some people will lament individuality being eroded, but in other countries number plates have to be the same font, materials, style, standard etc.

I note the link also says GB EU plates aren't allowed anymore due to Brexit for obvious reasons. I would prefer as an option if we could have the same as they do in Turkey: just plain blue flashing down the side and the country identifier. National flags just don't sit right IMO and it'd be better than a nasty huge GB sticker.

[captain.scarlet]

Baldchap said:

Been seeing these in huge numbers over the last month or two. Not seen them before this at all though, are they a new thing?

Jeez they literally are everywhere, even on the most ordinary of cars. They look horrendous. It screams of 'desperate to improve my car but I don't know how'!

At least so it seems, they're on their way to being banned...thankfully.

[captain.scarlet]

InitialDave said:

I don't like them, and they seem to appeal to a certain type.

Though on the other hand, having spent the money on them, people do actually put them on their car rather than wedging then between the dashboard and windscreen, and having the raised letters means they aren't so easy to put tint film over.

Plus the font is usually legible and currently spaced.

So, while they seem to be in the category of number plates preferred by dicks, they're the least dickish variant.

But the thing is, the font is overly bold, characters are crammed together and from certain angles the numberplate therefore becomes completely illegible. As has been discussed, other countries seem to have one standard by which everyone abides. Here there are just so many options and it's something customisable.

[captain.scarlet]

Had the pleasure of seeing a 3-in-1 shoot past last night on the back of a white Audi estate: shortened, tinted and 4D.

Textbook stuff.

[captain.scarlet]

Magikarp said:

Castrol for a knave said:

Years ago there was a black Montego that drove around in Bradford, that had the words "Dangerous Massacre" in large italic script down the side.

I don't know what offended me more, the steness of the script or the pleonasm.

My personal favourite of this ilk was a serious black Mercedes C Class (probably illegal tints, air deflectors, allots, light tints), resplendent with AMG bodykit and wheelst, 4D number plate, re-badged as "The Punisher" across the bootlid.

It was C180 diesel.

There seems to be quite a liking for "Poverty Spec" emblazoned across windscreens around here as well, and normally accompany the 4D plates.

I do quite like the look of the 3D plates (I know) and certainly from our camper they seem to be more visible from distance, but less clear close up, peculiarly.

3D number plates are reminiscent of the older embossed number plates. My parents had them as standard dealer number plates on a 1986 320i Coupe. They weren't particularly offensive and even now they look okay.

I think the whole point of the 2001 revamp on number plates was to do away with obscurity and try and introduce some sort of uniformity.

Everything had to be of a standard typeface and appearance. No comic sans number plates or screws in number plates in particular places amongst numbers and/or letters to help make a different number/letter and thereby convey a message or word.

4D number plates that are shortened and then smoked are not easily legible. I've seen them even cut into tiny hexagonal shapes as well on something as upmarket as a Porsche Cayenne.

Not only that, as I've pointed out before, past a certain angle 4D number plates become completely illegible.

Places like Ireland, Germany, Turkey, France, Italy etc all have a standard number plate look and design.

In the UK, however, it's not there. For example, aside from fridge magnet number plates and all the customisation that can be had with those, there are that many variations of number plates with the blue or green flashings or flags, or GB or UK in identifiers, that enforcement isn't bothered with.