Number Plate Spacings!!!

[gworilla]

I have noticed over the last few years that more and more people are buying showplates and having either the lettering spaced out to try and make it look like their name (even though it most cases it looks crass!!) or the plates's lettering has been changed to some fancy italicised text that you can barely read. Yet the police obviously have better things to do like sit by the roadside with their Xmas party/ Officer's Bonus cashbox (sorry speed camera) or in the case of Leicester's police force, ignore the real crimes and go to MacDonalds and play hide-and-seek for hours on end!!

There are some people who I work with who freely admit they have radically altered the spacing of the letters as they know that the police are not too bothered about this "minor" crime. I wonder however, if in the event of a crash, the insurance company would push-back and potentially refuse the claim because the plates are technically illegal??

 

[television]

DVLA do say that if the letters have been altered, then the plate can be forfeited.

The number plate is not part of the car certificate of roadworthiness

 

[gworilla]

Yes, that's correct and when you purchase a cherished number from them, they always state that they would rather you didn't buy from them if you intend to alter the spacings!!

The worst examples are ones where people have put the fixing screw in an advantageous position so it makes the lettering look "different"" ahem (I think not!!).

Crazy!!

 

[steve.link]

DVLA do say that if the letters have been altered, then the plate can be forfeited.

The number plate is not part of the car certificate of roadworthiness

It will fail the MOT if the spacings/font etc are not correct

Steve

 

[television]

It will fail the MOT if the spacings/font etc are not correct

Steve

Thank you for that, its good to know.

 

[Trophy1200]

I wonder however, if in the event of a crash, the insurance company would push-back and potentially refuse the claim because the plates are technically illegal??

Don't think they would try to claim that incorrect spacing of letters on a number plate would be a contributory factor in an accident, but hey, anything's possible.

 

[television]

Don't think they would try to claim that incorrect spacing of letters on a number plate would be a contributory factor in an accident, but hey, anything's possible.

They might do if there other car involved was trying to work the number plate out when they collided, rather than looking where he was going

 

[eGuru]

It will fail the MOT if the spacings/font etc are not correct

Steve

Mine failed the MOT because of the spacing. Fortunately, I happened to have a "legal" set in the boot. No fancy fonts or dodgy bolts, just the spacing.
Mind you had no problems at last years MOT

 

[Alfie]

There is a government document detailing the spacing rules. I'll dig it out.

The rules differ for spacing if the number is a 1. Just aswell really

 

[johnmc]

Hi,
A friend at work had "show plates" on his Triumph Spitfire, but unfortunately an enthusiastic Police Patrol car didn't like it so much and nailed him for it, cost him 500notes!

He's got two sets of plates, just happened to have the "italics" style on the car that day. I'm not sure it made the Spitfire look any better anyway, lovely car as it is.

John

 

[jberks]

The police have a crack down every now and then, so they get away with it for a while, until the local superintendant decieds to fill up the kitty at which point they'll just clobber everyone they see for a couple of months.

 

[mlc]

My cars have show plates on and I have to provide the legal plates in the car for MOT. The plate is part of the MOT, it has to be fitted, undamaged, the correct type and have the legal typeface and spacings.

We have never been stopped, however our misdeed is to have no spaces, the plates read as our surname. Finally I understand that you can have up to two warnings and then on the third time you can lose the registration.

Mark.

 

[mlc]

My cars have show plates on and I have to provide the legal plates in the car for MOT. The plate is part of the MOT, it has to be fitted, undamaged, the correct type and have the legal typeface and spacings.

We have never been stopped, however our misdeed is to have no spaces, the plates read as our surname. Finally I understand that you can have up to two warnings and then on the third time you can lose the registration.

Mark.

 

[citroennut]

hi,
recently saw RU 55 ELL squashed together, worst part, it was on a silver cl.
it just goes to show just because you have money doesn't mean you have taste as well!!
simon

 

[Blobcat]

hi,
recently saw RU 55 ELL squashed together, worst part, it was on a silver cl.
it just goes to show just because you have money doesn't mean you have taste as well!!
simon

That went for ~£40,000

 

[stumpy]

Be cheaper to change your name

 

[mlc]

Be cheaper to change your name

but do you want to be called Mr MA07JKL (or any other combinztion that doesnt look even slightly like a real name).

I am sure that Russell likes his reg and that is all that matters, just wish I could afford a CL and 40k for the reg

Mark.

 

[television]

but do you want to be called Mr MA07JKL (or any other combinztion that doesnt look even slightly like a real name).

I am sure that Russell likes his reg and that is all that matters, just wish I could afford a CL and 40k for the reg

Mark.

Then with my name MW1 was sold for near £1m, I do not come cheap either

 

[sandra]

hi i got my new car on the 13 th with a fancy no plate and was stopped by police on friday for it and had to change it and go to mot station to get the forms stamped to say it was correct, then send the form back or else u get a fine, so not worth it really and no it wont pass the mot , the police r going to get stricter on this as if u alter the font the speed cameras cannot record ur no, so ur insurance is void. sandy

 

[busby20]

The thing that gets me with some of these plates is that some people feel the need to have thier actual name/s printed on the plate below the number just to let people know the significance of the number?? surely not a good idea from a security / identity point?