Rolling exemptions should include number plates

[TR5convalescent]

I'll stick with being irrational, reflective plates were crap when introduced and nothing , as far as I can see, has changed. Just my opinion.

I quite like my black and silver plates, without dealer details. Always stripped off dealer stickers when I got a new car, didn't see why I should give them free advertising, pissed me off no end when law was changed to mandatory display on plates.

John

Hi John. Just to clarify; do you mean that it became obligatory for the dealer to put its name on the plates?

[DJT]

Try online there cheaper and you dont have the hassle of remembering to take the log book, driving license and a utility bill like you do on the high street.

Online are generally ‘Show Plates’ unless they ask for the V5, etc. Likewise those made up at car shows, etc. Show plates are not legal for use on the road as they won’t have the postcode of the plate maker, or the BS number. Someone locally was pulled by the police for having show plates on their car.

[DJT]

Hi John. Just to clarify; do you mean that it became obligatory for the dealer to put its name on the plates?

No, but many found it to be a cheap way of advertising. Most dealers do it. It is obligatory for the plates to have, as a minimum, the postcode of the plate supplier and the relevant BS number.

[Ritchie6]

Online are generally ‘Show Plates’ unless they ask for the V5, etc. Likewise those made up at car shows, etc. Show plates are not legal for use on the road as they won’t have the postcode of the plate maker, or the BS number. Someone locally was pulled by the police for having show plates on their car.

The current white/Yellow plates on my Stag don't have any markings/logos or postcode at all on them. I think they've been on the car for many years but are you saying they are no longer legal?

[redstag]

The current white/Yellow plates on my Stag don't have any markings/logos or postcode at all on them. I think they've been on the car for many years but are you saying they are no longer legal?

Same here with my black and silver plates which I have had for 20 years or so. I doubt if the legislation is retrospective but is the onus of proof with the owner to show when they were fitted or with the police to prove they were fitted illegally.

Pete

[DJT]

The law regarding post code and BSAU number goes back many years. ISTR the the original Bluemells plates had a BS number. I agree that it is highly unlikely you will get pulled for non-compliant plates as it would take a very observant (or very p****d off) ‘Bobby’ to notice it if the font is correct. They are more concerned with plates being of a type readable by ANPR cameras, hence the big reduction in ‘script’ type fonts, etc. recently.

Put whatever plates you like on your car. It won’t affect me either way..........

[jakesmig]

Hi John. Just to clarify; do you mean that it became obligatory for the dealer to put its name on the plates?

I am not sure of the exact date it became law, but to eradicate plate cloning, when ordering new or replacement plates you are required to produce documentation to the supplier proving your ownership, and they in turn are required to produce plates which include their trading name, so that they can be traced if required. When buying from dealer they already have the information and they generally have the blank plates with their company trading name in stock. A small scale trader told me he gave up making plates because the cost of blanks with his trading name became extortionate, and if he were caught with unmarked blanks the police would have charged him, and they regularly visited him at the time to ensure he was complying.

I have reflective plates on my daily driver which do not have attached trading name, but that is because they were produced years ago, before this law was passed, and have gone from car to car. They are legal plates because the law only requires replacements or newly manufactured plates to have the traders name displayed.

John.

[davidf]

I thought the mandatory postcode came in with the new plates in 2001. I seem to remember getting a few sets made up for my Stag just before (including a B&W set), because the letter size changed (reduced) in 2001. Or, do I need nurse to fetch my tablets (again)?

[Ritchie6]

I have reflective plates on my daily driver which do not have attached trading name, but that is because they were produced years ago, before this law was passed, and have gone from car to car. They are legal plates because the law only requires replacements or newly manufactured plates to have the traders name displayed.

John.

Thanks John that seems very clear and concise.

Richard

[TR5convalescent]

I am not sure of the exact date it became law, but to eradicate plate cloning, when ordering new or replacement plates you are required to produce documentation to the supplier proving your ownership, and they in turn are required to produce plates which include their trading name, so that they can be traced if required. When buying from dealer they already have the information and they generally have the blank plates with their company trading name in stock. A small scale trader told me he gave up making plates because the cost of blanks with his trading name became extortionate, and if he were caught with unmarked blanks the police would have charged him, and they regularly visited him at the time to ensure he was complying.

I have reflective plates on my daily driver which do not have attached trading name, but that is because they were produced years ago, before this law was passed, and have gone from car to car. They are legal plates because the law only requires replacements or newly manufactured plates to have the traders name displayed.

John.

Thanks very much, John. I now understand the law and the reasoning behind it.

David

[Andy S]

Cool, now to find someone local to knock up some black and silver plates.

Easier said than done in my area because all the small motor factors have been put out of business by the Internet.

Had you know who make the last normal reflective plates and gave up after the third attempt.

Andy S