Number Plate Law

[PobodY]

Incorrect plate sizes, lettering, lack of kite mark & manufacturing outlet name & postcode on plates is also technically an MOT failure

That "MOT Testers Manual" (link above) suggests that it's not a requirement of the MOT to check all those things; it's only if they are "clearly incorrect".

My plates don't have kite marks nor manufacturer's name and post code on them. - It's a car manufactured prior to September 2001, and the plates have probably been on it for 10 years already.

 

[j0ff]

Stick on plates even correct size & letter spacing ect are illegal & have been for a long time.
Incorrect plate sizes, lettering, lack of kite mark & manufacturing outlet name & postcode on plates is also technically an MOT failure but fortunately most testers don't read registration legislation law during there tea-break & concentrate more on real safety areas over minor technical details !
Read the rules & keep a copy in your glove-box if you have plates in the iffy zone of legality as many BIB are not fully up to speed on all the fine points:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/2687/contents/made

...

+1

 

[Mr B]

That "MOT Testers Manual" (link above) suggests that it's not a requirement of the MOT to check all those things; it's only if they are "clearly incorrect".

My plates don't have kite marks nor manufacturer's name and post code on them. - It's a car manufactured prior to September 2001, and the plates have probably been on it for 10 years already.

Not really linked to the car being manufactured prior 2001 is related to date of plate manufacture gives us less criteria to meet on the GTIR as most people will overlook the 2001 plate requirements but a traffic cop could try if custom plates look new show some signs of 2001 plate criteria but not the kite mark for example ...

2001 regulations apply to a new registration plate fixed to a vehicle on or after 1st September 2001 to replace a plate previously fixed thereto (except where the vehicle was first registered before 1st January 1973).

MOT creteria:

• The characters and background colour comply with regulations
• The character font is an a correct type
• The characters are correct size as is the size of the margin
• The plates are fitted vertically
• The non-reflective border is within the permitted width
• Finally an unacceptable symbol or flag such as football team crests, or logo is not displayed.

51 plates and later the additional checks will also be performed:

• It displays the BSAU 145d marking
• It also displays the name and postcode of the registration plate supplier
• It does not display a honeycomb or similar effect background.

At the end of the day if background font look correct/clear or sensible size it is good enough for most unless they want to find fault ...

 

[PobodY]

Okey doke. - I get it now: if you've got old plates they don't need the kite mark etc on them, but if you're getting them made (since 2001) they do.

 

[GTI-R Nath]

i found this on a Supra Forum its a reply about imported number plates from the DVLA after one of their members contacted them, i thought it was quite useful

 

[GTI-R Nath]

Dear Mr Malcolm

Thank you for your email received on 11/12/09. Your email reference number is 186847.

The Road Vehicles ( Display of Registration Marks) (Amendment) regulations 2002 SI no. 2687 came into force in November 2002.

These amendment regulations introduce a new regulation 14A, making special provision in relation to the size and spacing of characters in the registration number of some imported vehicles. These regulations also include the display of motorcycle sizes number plates on imported vehicles. The provision only applies to vehicles imported into the UK which do not have European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval, and are so constructed, that the area available for the fixing of the registration plate precludes the display on the plate of a registration number in conformity with the requirements of regulation 14.

Also contained is an amendment to regulation 3, to prohibit the use of a number plate on which the background is patterned or textured, or gives that appearance.

Where a vehicle has been allocated a UK registration number, the number plate must comply with the specification and standards laid out in the Road Vehicles ( Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001, as amended. Certain imported vehicles may be permitted to display numberplates with smaller characters if the vehicle does not have European Community Vehicle Type Approval and the vehicle's construction/design cannot accommodate standard size numberplates.

The dimensions for the smaller sized plate are:

• each character in the registration number must be 64mm high
the width of each character of the number, other than the letter 'I' and the figure '1' must be 44mm

• the width of every part of the stroke forming a character in a number must be 10mm
the spacing between any two characters within a group must be 10mm

• the vertical spacing between groups of characters must be 5mm

• the width of a margin between the number and the top and lateral sides of the numberplate must be not less than 5mm

• the space between the bottom of the number/character and the bottom of the plate must not be less than 13mm, but within that space, the space between the bottom of the number and the top of the name and postcode of the person the plate was supplied must not be less than 5mm.

Do not reply to this email. If you wish to contact us again about this response then please use our Reply Form or copy and paste the following URL in to your browser:

https://emaildvla.direct.gov.uk/emai..._vehicles.html

When filling in the form the email reference number 186847 will be required.

Regards

G Parslow
Customer Enquiries Group
DVLA

 

[j0ff]

The difficulty is proving that standard sized plates wont fit. On the front, you can claim that they interfere with the cooling of the car...

 

[GTI-R Nath]

i just changed the name on that letter printed a copy and am gonna keep it in my glove box, im sure most police wont try to fine you if you show them that,

i was also thinking if they do fine you, and you appeal they wont have a leg to stand on, since the don't carry measuring tapes so how are the gonna prove it was to small to begin with

 

[j0ff]

since the don't carry measuring tapes so how are the gonna prove it was to small to begin with

All traffic cops have video cameras on their cars - if your number plate was significantly smaller than standard, it'd be obvious on film. Not sure if they could use it though...

 

[PobodY]

If the ANPR system can't read a plate, you will automatically be pulled-over so that they can have a look and decide if it's a defect. That's the benefit of a standard plate; there's no reason for an automated system to flag your car.

It's the same thing if you have a radar or laser jammer; when they can't get a fix on your car it gets flagged. Once is possibly an error, but two or more times and you will get a visit at your home.