Gentlemen,

I'd rather not alert every ram-raider and chop-shop as to my vRS's whereabouts and was wondering what exactly are the laws on making up new [registration] plates (i.e. having to put your postcode on them)?

I have a 'vanity' plate I'm thinking of putting on the vRS, but do not wish to put my postcode etc. The plate is the OLD format (i.e. alphabetical).

Thanks

Rich

Are there any places in the East midlands/Coventry willing to make-up a private plate for me (i.e. one that I've registered). If so, please email me privately (DO NOT POST HERE TO THE FORUMS!!!!!)

When a number plate is made, it has to have the postcode of the company that supplies the plate, not your own. All companies that wish to make plates need to be registered with the DVLA and must see your registration documents to make sure that you are the registered keeper of that vehicle.

I'm not 100% sure about private reg's, but I'm sure the DVLA must send you a form of some sort to say you are the registered user of that mark. Obviously, it won't have your private reg on the V5 as yet!

Most or all car dealerships are able to make plates and alot of motor spares shops can too, just make sure they are registered with the DVLA first mate.

Current requirements on the display of number plates is here:

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/regmarks/reg_marks_current_requirements.htm

http://www.a1stylegraphix.co.uk/designplate.asp

http://www.desiplates.co.uk/

are just 2 online outfits willing to make plates that do not comply with current legislation.

Sixman

You have mail

Rob

Thanks for the info lads, and duh, I DO already own the plate/reg (bought it months before the car ).

Thanks

Big Rich

South Yorkshire Police - motto: JUSTICE with COURAGE (gulp!) - have a friendly website for motorists in which they explain why they would like to have a chat with you and your financial adviser if you have an illegal numberplate. Read it here:

http://www.southyorks.police.uk/traffic/traffic-new-reg.htm

Try www.camera-shy.co.uk

I got some plates made by them without the postcode. Have a look

Just got mine from Fancyplates .

I'll post a picture of the car with them on tomorrow.

Steve

So if you have a car registered before 01/09/2001 you can still sort of get away with 'different' plates... Crap, mine is registered 10/09/2001 :(

Thought it was if you purchased a new reg plate after that date, not the car itself...?

From Denis's link:

The new legislation comes into force on 01/09/01 and applies to vehicle registered on or after 01/09/01 or to registration plates manufactured on or after 01/09/01.

That's what I said! (About plates being manufactured after that date).

Doesn't matter when your car was reg'd - you can't now buy non-standard plates! (in theory)

But it does matter! If you're vehicle is registered before that date you can in theory still get plates from 'dodgy' sites and have them displayed on your vehicle as if they were always like that. Note, I'm not talking about different fonts/spacing/etc, but just normal plates without plate manufacturer postcode, etc on it.

But as its the postcode of whoever made the plates, does it really matter?

Originally posted by Quinten in this post

But it does matter! If you're vehicle is registered before that date you can in theory still get plates from 'dodgy' sites and have them displayed on your vehicle as if they were always like that. Note, I'm not talking about different fonts/spacing/etc, but just normal plates without plate manufacturer postcode, etc on it.

yep but still illegal to buy from a manufacturer who isn't dvla registered.

True - and as the police sometimes set up shop on a saturday night and stop anyone looking at all boy-racerish, they probably would check everything...

On the whole though, I doubt they'd check...

Originally posted by Stimps in this post

True - and as the police sometimes set up shop on a saturday night and stop anyone looking at all boy-racerish, they probably would check everything...

On the whole though, I doubt they'd check...

I got pulled a few months ago for having a small front plate on my Impreza. The rest of the plate was dodgy too (graphics etc) but all the plod was bothered about was the size.

Steve

But isnt the whole number plate tightening to help cut the remarking of stolen cars and cloning etc?

Call me old fashioned but isnt that a good thing? Rather than trying to evade the legislation to make our plates pretty/different/unreadable?

Andy

So, basically, it wouldn't be a good idea to 're-arrange' a pre 2001 plate, let's say R55 OUL on a 2002 registered car. What I'd LIKE to do is put a similar plate onto my car and have it say something like 'R5 5OUL'. I would NOT have to change the font, size or colouring, just put a small space between the 55's (which I would NOT change to be 'S'es).

Would you risk it? :confused:

Rich

not changing the font, just changing the space? 60% would go for it, 30% says no, and 10% is undecided...

Originally posted by Kentish in this post

But isnt the whole number plate tightening to help cut the remarking of stolen cars and cloning etc?

Call me old fashioned but isnt that a good thing? Rather than trying to evade the legislation to make our plates pretty/different/unreadable?

Andy

Well - more widesweeping than that - to make sure that the number plates on a car can be read by eye (human or machine) realiably, and to ensure only "legit" plates are created...

I can't imagine a would be cloner or other such criminal would give up their plans at the idea of using "unlicensed" plates though.....

Originally posted by Stimps in this post

Well - more widesweeping than that - to make sure that the number plates on a car can be read by eye (human or machine) realiably, and to ensure only "legit" plates are created...

I can't imagine a would be cloner or other such criminal would give up their plans at the idea of using "unlicensed" plates though.....

No your probably right, but the more people actively do it through vanity the more chance there is of untraceable cars from hit and run etc through confusion over the plate.

Andy

Buy your plates in Scotland, the new laws dont apply there, im told, so you dont have to produce everything including your blood group to get a set of plates made

Where does the law stand with illegal registration plates... I am after one with a border and a slightly different font, (very simular to UK Standard)

I am sure most plods would be ok on the matter but if i were to get stopped what could happen, will i be asked to replace with a standard reg, or could it go down the points route (or is that in extreme cases like people with graphics all over the place and a tiny letterd reg)

Cheers for you comments