Stick-on number plate legal?

[syncropatrick]

Wotcha, had a truely excellent time at Syncropendence, but managed to chew off my front number plate when re-arranging a mud bank. Is it legal to fit a stick-on number plate, either on my bumper or higher on the bodywork?

Any where does one get them from?

[v-lux]

Pretty sure that it isnt legal, however ive had a stick on one stuck to the body work for a couple of years now and never had any bother at all.

Got mine from the a local auto factors, cheap as chips.

You'll still need a proper one for MOT's though....

[g60steve]

No they're not legal as they don't meet the new laws brought in in 2001.
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/leaflets/v796.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[syncroand101]

Mine is on with oversized Velcro in the usual place, just remove when offroading..

[Aidan]

I just velcroed the normal number plate to the body between the grills. I think it's legal as it's centred and vertical
though checking DVLA there doesn't seem to be any reg for this, only the type of plate and fonts and size and spacing etc, be worth asking SyncroSwede for advice perhaps

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/leafle ... plates.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[syncrosimon]

For a numberplate to be legal it has to show the BSAU 145d logo. I dont think any stick on ones do. Dont see why they could not be made, just no one does.

[SyncroSwede]

As Simon says, stick on is not legal as they cannot be made to conform to the BS (!) regards reflectivity etc. Make sure the one on the rear is legal as that's where most cameras ping you (and therefore where plod will be looking). For the front, it does not have to be central but must also be a BS plate. In reality, if you have a 'show plate' on the front that is adhesive but is otherwise full size and correct font then you will probably be fine (unless you meet PC Griefy (He's out there!)).

If you off-road then perhaps have a stick on one on the bumper but screw a proper one on for road trips and the MOT...

[syncroandy]

The rules mentioned only apply to plates *fitted* after 2001. If an older (but legal) style plate is fitted to a vehicle built before 2001, it would be up to the authorities to prove the plate was fitted after the new rules, which they are extremely unlikely to do, in my opinion.

[toomanytoys]

The rules mentioned only apply to plates *fitted* after 2001. If an older (but legal) style plate is fitted to a vehicle built before 2001, it would be up to the authorities to prove the plate was fitted after the new rules, which they are extremely unlikely to do, in my opinion.

Unless it was imported after 2001..... as it would say "first reg in uk"...

I want a pressed metal one (just get bent them rather than wrecked), but seems impossible to get one now....

[syncroandy]

Try Framptons (http://pl8s.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). Looks like you need to say they're for 'export' now due to some change in the rules about selling non standard plates. I stand by what I said about fitting them though, I think theres no chance of getting done for having a pre-2001 plate fitted to a pre-2001 RHD vehicle.

[syncrosimon]

The dvla want the police to photograph illegal plates on the vehicle, they will deal with perpetrators from there, also to identify the manufacturer and do them as well.

If the numberplate is clear and legible the chances are 95% of cops wont take a second glance. If you are pushing the boundaries of what is legal on the road then you will draw attention to yourself.

The complexities of the law don't help matters do they.

(less laws better executed??)

[toomanytoys]

So unless its a "taking the pee stylee" a copper isnt going to be stopping a vehicle to check who made the plates???
I'll get an alloy front one then... cheers Andy..

Had I better paint the stainless screws holding my rear plate yellow/black as needed then? they are not "interfering witht he lettering in any way...

Was going to get a french front as they are nice metal pressed, but of course they are a different font style.. still nice and legible though...

[syncroandy]

The plates I'm referring to are the ones that were fully legal when our vans were built, and the only ones that look 'right' in my view. The post-2001 plates have a narrower font. I really can't see how a successful prosecution could be made for having pre-2001 UK plates on a pre-2001 UK van, unless they actually had evidence they were fitted after that date.

[toomanytoys]

They have an alloy pressed one in the 2001 on range.. "vision" with a funny curve on the bottom... (soon bend that under.. )

[syncrosimon]

My understanding of how the rules are to be applied is that the illegible plates with different fonts will be targeted, as Andy says if the plate is of the same era as the van, and as legible as it was back in the day, then what is the problem. The thing that the cops on the road will be looking for is the BSAU bit, cause that is easy for a cop to look for. If your plate has not got one then you might have to haggle over the points that Andy raises. I don't think that most cops will have the specific knowledge to be able to challenge the finer points. Be cheerful and say yes a lot, appear you are listening and learning, you should be fine.