The End of Non-Standard Number Plates

[D-Rider]

Although it has been illegal to display non-standard registration plates, up until now it has not been illegal to supply them (usually as "Show Plates")

Well, from 1st November 2008 that is changing and it will be an offence to supply these non-standard plates.

From 1st November 2008 it will become an offence to supply number plates that do not comply with the road vehicles act (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001. There is a maximum penalty of £2,500 and/or suspension from the register for up to 5 years. This offence will apply throughout the United Kingdom.

http://ezinearticles.com/?DVLA-Number-P ... id=1390143

If you prefer to run your own personal risks of displaying a non-compliant plate, then that option will quickly disappear - at least when you buy a new vehicle (or some vigilante git breaks your "show plate" out of spite and you need to replace it)

I guess the only real way round this is to sign up NOW for a personal registration that you transfer to every new vehicle you buy (in turn - not all at once) - having first made up a lifetime's supply of "show plates" before the 1st November deadline.

BTW I carry a fully compliant plate and always have done .... however, such stupidly over-officious petty regulations make me want to consider ways to get round them (as per the above).

..... and also I'm not suggesting anyone should go ahead and display a non-conforming plate - of course!

[Falcopops]

I thought that came in last year along with the registered plate maufacturer needing to put their address and post code on the bottom of the plate.

I'm sure you'll still be able to get a sign made up to any size you want from the same blokes you already get them from. With the usual " these are not for road use" disclaimer.

[D-Rider]

I thought that came in last year along with the registered plate maufacturer needing to put their address and post code on the bottom of the plate.

That's what is needed for a compliant plate and that is all they can supply as a registration plate.
Up until 1st November they can supply "show plates" which do not conform and don't have the post code.
They can supply but you cannot legally display these on the road.

I'm sure you'll still be able to get a sign made up to any size you want from the same blokes you already get them from. With the usual " these are not for road use" disclaimer.

No - this is what the change is about. From 1st November, they will no longer be able to supply these for any purpose. If they do so, they will be breaking the law and open to a fine. Maybe some will run the risk - but I doubt many will and it would be hard to find them as they won't advertise the fact.

[Falcoholic]

What if you buy your "show" plate in the Irish Republic?

Boils my piss this type of legislation. Why don't the authorities put their resources into dealing with the ever rising tide of knife, gun and drug related crime which just might make our streets safer?

Tempted to go off on a "go catch some proper criminals" type rant but hey I'd just be wasting valuable oxygen which some other poor bugger could make better use of.

[Viffer]

Boils my piss this type of legislation. Why don't the authorities put their resources into dealing with the ever rising tide of knife, gun and drug related crime

Couldn't agree more but that's hard work the more the police have to achieve targets the more they'll look for easier pickings and the wankers in parliament don't give a stuff.

[HowardQ]

Boils my piss this type of legislation. Why don't the authorities put their resources into dealing with the ever rising tide of knife, gun and drug related crime

Couldn't agree more but that's hard work the more the police have to achieve targets the more they'll look for easier pickings and the wankers in parliament don't give a stuff.

Quite simple really when was the last time somebody was attacked by a small numberplate, it's a nice easy "result", a lot safer than trying to go up against gangs of kids with knives and occasional hand guns, or drug barons with automatic weapons.

[D-Rider]

Yes - should, within reason, be a thing of personal discretion.
If I were to choose to have slightly smaller letters someone may have to be 2 or 3 yards closer to read it clearly - so if my bike gets nicked the chances of it being recovered may reduce from zero (cos the police never bother to look for them) to 95% of zero. Given that there's no real change it is a complete irrelevance.

Petty Rules!

[Fausto]

Just add it to the steadily lengthening list of things that are illegal to supply but you can get fairly easily anyway....

[Falcoholic]

Just add it to the steadily lengthening list of things that are illegal to supply but you can get fairly easily anyway....

[Viffer]

Just add it to the steadily lengthening list of things that are illegal to supply but you can get fairly easily anyway....

You can get anything you want, drugs, false passports (they advertise in shop windows for fecks sakes) firearms etc, just don't get 'em delivered by a motorcycle courier with a small number plate and loud cans.

[Samray]

[paddyz1]

Smaller plate.....harder for the cash machine to see

We wouldn't want that would we

[alptrans]

Paddyz1 you've got the point !

[D-Rider]

Pathetic excuse!

Have they really specified a camera system that can't read things that are 10% smaller than standard ???
(Any decent system specifier would have allowed a much wider tolerance than that given the purpose it was designed for)

..... and surely it's up to "them" to improve their enforcing equipment rather than impose more and more petty regulations on everybody - even those that rigorously conform to all speed regulations.

[Nooj]

A load of us asked about small plates at police Bike Safe day a few years back and were told it's to do with road safety. The number plate is a large reflective surface on the back of your bike and therefore aids safety.

So how come it's not a legal requirement to wear a hi-vis vest of a certain size at all times when out on a bike then?