Illegal plates?

[Stevetaxi]

Are dark smoked number plates legal for road use?

 

[daveenty]

Nope.

They have to comply to a certain spec, which I can't be bothered looking for tonight, though the information is freely available

 

[ZZZZ]

As Dave said - they are not, but also: they just look dirty to me ...

If it's a NPR avoidance measure, I can understand that, though not something I would want or condone, but then by definition they would not be legal; if however, this is an appearance enhancement, like say, metal plates (which are legal, if done correctly), then I absolutely do not see the attraction ... Just my opinion, of course.

 

[A.J.]

Definitely not legal. As indeed dirty No. plates are illegal. They have to conform to No. plate regulations and that also includes font, spacing, makers name and British Standard number. It's about time there was a crackdown on number plates, there are too many illegal ones out there. It doesn't seem like the MOT filters out many either.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Are dark smoked number plates legal for road use?

Probably not, but if you look at all the cars running about with private plates on which the characters are spaced so as to form a name, for example, the risk of detection/prosecution is presumably very low.

Alex

 

[Sylar]

Not legal mate at all.... have to come from an authorised supplier that puts their post mark on the bottom.

 

[Sylar]

Probably not, but if you look at all the cars running about with private plates on which the characters are spaced so as to form a name, for example, the risk of detection/prosecution is presumably very low.

Alex

 

[A.J.]

This is the law as it stands to-day :-

Vehicle Number Plates in the UK
There are strict rules set out that govern the layout, fonts and character specifications used on UK number plates. There are also general rules laid out on how number plates must be displayed. If these rules are not followed then it can be seen as an offence. General rules will include:

• Number plates must be lit during the evenings
• Registration marks must be readable and not covered by dirt
• Vehicles must have number plates fixed to them
• Number plates must be laid out in the correct size, colouring, font and spacing
• Owners cannot alter or rearrange numbers and lettering on their number plates
• Plates should follow the British Standard for number plates including the trademark of the plate supplier
• No other images should be used on number plates except approved images such as the Euro flag and other flags
• A non reflective border is optional

Punishments for Number Plate Offences
Incorrect number plate offences can lead to fines of up to £1000 for each specific number plate offence.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Dont want to change mine, they came with the car from new ,

 

[L John]

This is the law as it stands to-day :-

Vehicle Number Plates in the UK
There are strict rules set out that govern the layout, fonts and character specifications used on UK number plates. There are also general rules laid out on how number plates must be displayed. If these rules are not followed then it can be seen as an offence. General rules will include:

• Number plates must be lit during the evenings
• Registration marks must be readable and not covered by dirt
• Vehicles must have number plates fixed to them
• Number plates must be laid out in the correct size, colouring, font and spacing
• Owners cannot alter or rearrange numbers and lettering on their number plates
• Plates should follow the British Standard for number plates including the trademark of the plate supplier
• No other images should be used on number plates except approved images such as the Euro flag and other flags
• A non reflective border is optional

Punishments for Number Plate Offences
Incorrect number plate offences can lead to fines of up to £1000 for each specific number plate offence.

The word 'should' makes an appearance a couple of times there.
Should means absolutely nothing in law as it's leaning towards something that has to be done but it doesn't quite get there, it's too weak and is not an order. 'Must' on the other hand is enforceable.

 

[bembo449]

I know of cars round here that have had dodgy plates on for years without ever being pulled for it so I guess it depends where you live

 

[Andy.M]

I have a plate where I have misplaced one digit. My MOT garage makes me fit the proper plates even though I know them well!

 

[KennyN]

I have a plate where I have misplaced one digit. My MOT garage makes me fit the proper plates even though I know them well!

Same happened with my old car (Saab 9-3 , S44B KN) ,the MOT guy insisted the plates were swapped for the test.

He explained the police sometimes sit outside testing stations and check over cars as soon as they leave , if there is anything un-toward the station / tester gets fined so you can see his point.

With the amount of blatant law breakers driving with tints / phoning / missing plates etc. then i dont think a slightly "smoked" plate would even raise the plods eyebrows , if there are any about.

The "thing" around here mainly with Audi owners is to remove the front plate and place it on top of the dash , so they can tell the plod it has just fallen off even though there are no fixings or markings on the bumper , some dont even have it on display at all .

Kenny

 

[Sylar]

My line of work puts me working with the police most weeks. They tell me their not to bothered with spacing. Its blatant letter and number changes and small number plates that get the ticket book out.

 

[Rappey69]

according to certain tv progs, if an anpr camera in a police car cant read it then your getting pulled..

 

[Sylar]

according to certain tv progs, if an anpr camera in a police car cant read it then your getting pulled..

Absolutely

 

[A.J.]

My line of work puts me working with the police most weeks. They tell me their not to bothered with spacing. Its blatant letter and number changes and small number plates that get the ticket book out.

I would imagine that that is discretionary though. I have seen people being pulled for number plate irregularities both on the street and on the 'Police' TV programs

 

[Sylar]

I would imagine that that is discretionary though. I have seen people being pulled for number plate irregularities both on the street and on the 'Police' TV programs

Oh yes, if nothing else to do they can of course pull and fine for spacing etc.

 

[phils]

I know of cars round here that have had dodgy plates on for years without ever being pulled for it so I guess it depends where you live

Same hear in East Kent - dodgy looking Seat came towards me a few days ago, with heavily tinted windows all round, front number plate hardly visible on the dash!

Noticed a police car following me and thought he would turn round and pull the other car up. Wrong!

 

[EmilysDad]

....

Noticed a police car following me and thought he would turn round and pull the other car up. Wrong!

A few years back, a lad at work bought a Jeep complete with an illegally spaced reg plate of J33P ?? A copper did turn his car round to follow & book him.