German Plates and the Law

[J5H VW]

Guys - valid points by all there, but then again, each to their own.

My argument is simply that I am not trying to hide any details on my plate, not trying to make it look like something it is not (either by using odd fonts or screw holes etc).

I simply spaced out the letters slightly differently (by one space in the whole sequence actually), each letter was clearly displayed and is not an attempt to evade being caught by a camera etc (to which i can testify that it does not work! lol)

As for the plate itself being german, I just like the look of german plates.  Mine do not have a "D" on them or anything else.  To all intents and purposes, they are idenitcal to UK ones, but are made of pressed metal rather than plastic.

[raferackstraw]

gotta agree wiv diamond on this one

imo when ever i see a private plate or one thats been respaced i just think what a c0ck and vain c*nt and that they have no taste, no matter what the car

its the epitome of chaviness 

[Diamond Hell]

Guys - valid points by all there, but then again, each to their own.

You go steaming straight past the side of the point then and miss it entirely.

It's NOT each to their own.

It's each to a standard plate, with a combination of letters and numbers organised in the prescribed style, which includes font, size and spacing.

Also if your plates were 'identical' to UK plates they'd have a BS mark and you wouldn't get pulled over for them, or fined, or have the threat of having your private plate taken away from you.

Anyone who wants a private plate should be allowed to buy one and then if they re-space it, or mess about with it it should immediately be taken away from them for being so vain.  And they should be made to leave their vehicle where they've been nicked until Q plates have been issued.  At this point they should be allowed to collect it, from a Government authorised spray shop, after it's been resprayed pink (at their cost, obviously).

Damn, that'd make me happy and make me smile a lot.

[J5H VW]

Anyone want to buy a personalised plate.....?  I have one for sale! 

[Witchwood]

Simply having pressed plates does not make them German. As far as I am aware, it is perfectly legal to have pressed steel or alloy plates, providing they pass the requirements of BS AU145d regarding reflectivity. What IS illegal is having the wrong font, incorrect spacing, Stadt or TuV stckers, or a "D" emblem.

So, if you have pressed plates with the correct font and spacing, no adornments except a GB/ENG/SCO/CYM emblem (borders are acceptable too) and no mucking around with bolts, you are perfectly OK with regard to the law and MoT. Doesn't make them German, though.

It was common practice at one time for UK cars to be supplied with pressed plates. The only reason acrylic plates have become standard is because they are cheaper to make.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, policeman, or bona fide member of the motor trade; my information comes from a study of the DVLA and British Standards websites.

Cheers
Chris

[Diamond Hell]

It might have been common for UK cars to be fitted with pressed plates about 20 years ago, but this is now.  It used to be legal for cars to be fitted with black and silver plates - fit them to something later than somewhen in the 60's (IIRC) and you'll get a prohibition notice on your vehicle.

If you think they're legal show us a supplier for BS-marked pressed plates.

[Horney]

Black and white plates can only be fitted to cars registered before 1st Jan 1973. The same I think applies to pressed plates of the colour kind.

As a great example of a percy plate there is one at work today. It's a totally shagged MKV escort. Paint shot, bumpers full of filler, one mirror missing, loads of dents, only 2 hub caps. It has a plate that reads K8 THX and underneath is printed Kathy so you can figure it out. Ha ha ha ha ha ha

Nick

[lewis1641]

nice! it always cracky me up whrn they have to explain their plates!

edit  - by the way my germanic plates in my sig have been removed!

[Stu.750]

do u live in germany ? NO

 English plates , a nice set of deeler plates or even just a set of nice brand new plates always looks nice

[Witchwood]

The relevant part of the applicable statute is reproduced below:


Statutory Instrument 2001 No. 561
The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001

PART 1


VEHICLES REGISTERED AND NEW REGISTRATION PLATES FITTED ON OR AFTER 1ST SEPTEMBER 2001 (MANDATORY SPECIFICATION)

     1. The plate must be made of retroreflecting material which, as regards its construction, colour and other qualities, complies with the requirements of -


(a) the British Standard specification for retroreflecting number plates published on 15 January 1998 under number BS AU 145d[13], or

(b) any other relevant standard or specification recognised for use in an EEA State and which, when in use, offers a performance equivalent to that offered by a plate complying with the British Standard specification,

and which, in either case, is marked with the number (or such other information as is necessary to permit identification) of that standard or specification.

     2. Where the registration mark is displayed on the front of the vehicle, it must have black characters on a white background.

     3. Where the registration mark is displayed on the back of the vehicle, it must have black characters on a yellow background.


So, it has to be retroreflective, and it has to either (a) comply with BS AU 145d or (b) comply with an equivalent EEA standard (TuV would perhaps be considered equivalent in a court of law).

Nothing in either the statute or the standard precludes the use of pressed plates. It does not necessarily follow that any particular pressed plate is legal (e.g. BS AU 145d approved) as a result of this, of course. All herrings are fish, not all fish are herrings. It should be perfectly possible to manufacture a pressed plate that complies with 145d; whether or not anyone has actually done this is a separate matter.

Chris