Want some new number plates. Whats allowed?

Post Thu Feb 24, 2005 5:39 pm

Im in the market for getting new number plates on my car, just to smarten it up a bit and tidy the whole look up.I dont want anything fancy, just my reg, but i was thinking about using a company on the web to design a plate and just put somthing simple under it along the bottom "E30" , "BMW E30" etc. Whats the legality in doing this? Surely somthing like this is allowed

Post Thu Feb 24, 2005 6:02 pm

New laws in September 2001 (I think) said that underneath the reg must be the name and phone number of the company that created the numberplate.

I very doubt the police would give you any bother for having "E30" instead, and if they do then the number plate was printed before 2001, obviously.

If you want to change from a standard font the police (round here at least, Thames Valley) don't actually care.

I've spoken to a few people with plates that are very hard to read (systems like the one for the conjestion charge in London would have no chance of being able read it) in a very stylised font and they haven't had any bother.

One guy with an E36 coupe and a squiggly old-style handwriting style font said that he'd been pulled over 3 times with his plates on and the cops have said nothing

Post Thu Feb 24, 2005 6:11 pm

I think its down to the copper who stops you! Be polite, friendly and answer all question and you stand a chance of being OK! Depends what sort of day they have had.

If you were to get a new reg no. then that one is more difficult because the reg. no. would be associated with the date of purchase!

Post Thu Feb 24, 2005 6:30 pm

Cheers for the reply guys.

Nostrils, nah mate im not changing the reg number, just wanting to get my plates freshend up cos their all streaky/dirty/falling apart, you all know what 15 year old bits of plastic can get like...

So hopefully their shouldnt be a problem.Cheers for the replys, ill look into getting some made.

Post Thu Feb 24, 2005 6:32 pm

If you just get it reprinted with a normal font I would bet my car that you'll never be stopped for it.

If you want to get it in a different font then the "I thought they were OK, I've seen loads of other people with them, I still have the old plates" works really well

Post Thu Feb 24, 2005 6:56 pm

or you could be like dave touring and just not have one on the front.....

Post Thu Feb 24, 2005 6:58 pm

Gwynleym10 wrote:or you could be like dave touring and just not have one on the front.....

Yay!

It looks better without it on.

Just waiting for the postman to deliver my new smoked plates from CUK and then it'll be back on!

It fell off at the bottom of the A23 as I drifted the roundabout exit, as I tried to grab it I almost hit the central reservation

Post Thu Feb 24, 2005 7:42 pm

davetouring wrote:as I tried to grab it I almost hit the central reservation

How exactly did you try to grab it?

Good idea ditching the front plate

Of course the "one bolt fell out and I took it off rather than let it hang vertically. I'm on my way to buy another bolt now" explanation should be ready in case the police hassle you for it

Post Thu Feb 24, 2005 7:47 pm

legally you are only allowed standard font, size & spacing of letters, any colour border, country of origi on the left, 11mm gap around the egde of letters & 33mm in the middle gap..
police wont really bother you for having a logo on the side or writing at the bottom..
letter font is new charles wright,
your allowed 3d or carbon fibre

Post Thu Feb 24, 2005 7:51 pm

davetouring wrote:
Gwynleym10 wrote:or you could be like dave touring and just not have one on the front.....
Yay!

It looks better without it on.

Just waiting for the postman to deliver my new smoked plates from CUK and then it'll be back on!

It fell off at the bottom of the A23 as I drifted the roundabout exit, as I tried to grab it I almost hit the central reservation

ive done that when running without my plates, it comes flyin across the dash and attacks you!!

Post Thu Feb 24, 2005 8:21 pm

Driving through Southampton yesterday, there were 8 cops all on bikes doing the usual speed trap game... anyway i was doing 36-37ish in a 30 when i saw them all, i really thought they were going to pull me, but as i drove past each cop spread out down the road none of them followed me. Then i remembered the plates on my car, if they were really on the ball and bothered i'm sure thay would have pulled me over.

Just glad they didn't

Anyway, a big thanks to CUK325 for my plates

Post Thu Feb 24, 2005 8:23 pm

Zayyan wrote:
davetouring wrote:as I tried to grab it I almost hit the central reservation
How exactly did you try to grab it?

Should have said....it was on the dash, and slid along, and out the open window!!

Post Thu Feb 24, 2005 8:32 pm

davetouring wrote: Should have said....it was on the dash, and slid along, and out the open window!!

PMSL - Thats a great image Dave

Post Thu Feb 24, 2005 8:53 pm

davetouring wrote:Should have said....it was on the dash, and slid along, and out the open window!!

I had visions of it flying off the bumper past the driver's window and you with lightning-quick reactions leaning out to try to grab it

E30Mark wrote:i'm sure thay would have pulled me over

I doubt anyone could do anything but admire that plate Mark, even the police