Afternoon all,
So following the rally I have inevitably come home with a wish list! One question, apologies if this is daft - a lot of people had small front license plates and I thought these looked ace (black mk3.5 show car number plate ending UFU was a great example) but are they road legal or just show plates?
Thanks in advance
Toni
I think they are only allowed on imports to fit the existing mounting.
correct
The rules on UK number plates, fonts and font size are quite strict…
Motorbikes usually get away with small plates but I would expect cars to be pulled over.
Likely show plates.
Ah that is a shame, makes sense I guess. Looks very sleek though.
Unfortunately my budget doesn’t stretch to the black plates, that would be my ultimate!
This is the bit that’s relevant to imports
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/2687/regulation/5/made
i seem to remember that the numbers/letters have to be 1.5 inches high and 1 inch width. The actual plates can be cut close to the letters / number as possible if that helps.
T
My plates (I have 3 different sets) are all 12"x6" to fit in frames and the two sets of reflective ones have the makers name/postcode/bs154 or whatever markings. They are not an issue at MOT time (just done) but not sure on legality?
Barrie
That’s way too small Terry - 79mm high x 50mm wide, so about 3.125" high x 2" wide - rules for font width, gap and margins too as well as layout - see link I in my previous post.
So essentially for day to day I either pay big money for old black plates or stick to the standard size.
Every stick on plate is illegal and an MOT fail.
Every square plate on a non-import.
Every plate without the BSI mark.
Every plate with something other than an EU flag and GB.
Every plate with a slogan at the bottom rather than the garage who produced it.
Etc. Etc. All illegal.
Yet I haven’t had a standard plate on any of my past four MX-5s and I’ve never been pulled and I’ve never failed an MOT over it. Yet. Touch wood. Probably been lucky, but I’m also not alone with this so… And none of my plates have been ridiculously different, just a little bit smaller, stick on etc. I always go for standard font and spacing.
The further you get from standard the bigger the risk, and you can be unfortunate and come across a policeman or MOT tester who’s had a row with their partner that morning, but generally so long as the plate can be read by automatic plate readers (I tested mine at Tesco’s!) I’d go for what you like. Or you might find it a source of anxiety that you might get pulled, in which case I’d not bother because it’s a silly thing to be stressed about.
That said, if you do get pulled, don’t blame me!
Here’s mine:
The nose of the NA is such a lovely, pure design, and then it gets a huge licence plate holder nailed to it, ruining the look. Same with Alfas.
So to minimise the effect, I’ve gone silly small. (And de-badged and baby teeth extracted).
I have a healthy disregard for authority, so don’t worry about it (though I do have a legal one that gets swapped for MoT day). If I get nicked, it’s a fair cop and I’ll pay the fine.
Steve
This is exactly the size I want to go for, seeing it on a car at the rally it just looked so much sleeker as you say. Are they an easy swap out?
Next job to figure out the fine
My friend used Velcro on the back of his plates so he could easily change them over
Also remove them when needed !
When I had a pull for a small plate I just got a vehicle rectification notice. Which means take it to an mot station for them to stamp the form to say its now OK.
That then makes the risk exceptionally tempting! As long as it isn’t points.
So the motor I saw was an nc with a small plate on the top of the front grille so Velcro wouldn’t work there- just swap out number plate holders??
I use heavy-duty Velcro.
The size of the actual plate is irrelevant - it’s the letter font size, distance from edges, spacing etc that is the legal bit.
I bought a personal plate with only 5 digits specifically so I can have a smaller plate legally - gone through 2 mots like it (it’s on my caddy at the moment but will be on my next 5 when I get it)