Traditional Number Plates

Comer · March 31, 2004, 13:55

The DVLA states that:

Vehicles constructed before 1.1.73 may display traditional style "black and white" plates i.e. white, silver or grey characters on a black plate

Now I quite like these traditional style plates but having them on my car would result in me getting a ticket so I'm not going to try.

But why is it ok for older cars to have these? There obviously isn't an issue on whether these are harder to read, because they would be banned completely and an original Mini from the 60's would easily have the conventional yellow and white ones fitted.

markiii · March 31, 2004, 13:58

I seriously doubt you'd get pulled though, ask Liz whether it's likely.

would look class on yours.

Comer · March 31, 2004, 14:06

Quote from: "markiii"would look class on yours.

That's what I was thinking too. The number itself is pants but the colour would make it better s:D

s:D

I may get a set with my name on STRICTLY for display purposes at JAE but I wish the colour would be road legal for new cars. I've seen a black Range Rover with them on around where I work but they may have not be caught yet.

Slacey · March 31, 2004, 15:08

You've set me thinking now Michael... s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
Surely at worst you would get a vehicle rectification order?

Comer · March 31, 2004, 15:44

Quote from: "Slacey"You've set me thinking now Michael... s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
Surely at worst you would get a vehicle rectification order?

Well it seems a nice finishing touch to a black (the best colour) MR2. I may ask my friends Dad who's a retired traffic cop what may happen.

markiii · March 31, 2004, 15:45

especially if you carry a set of ok plates in the boot jjust in case.

I would imagine 99% of teh time discretion would be to leave it alone. teh main thing is that the plate is legal and legible, and looking at some fo teh ones that do get left alone having an old plate would be a lesser eveil.

aaronjb · March 31, 2004, 15:46

Quote from: "Slacey"You've set me thinking now Michael... s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
Surely at worst you would get a vehicle rectification order?

Depends if the rules are like the ones regarding misrepresented private plates (i.e. the plate can be removed, and your car issued with a Q plate - good luck selling a car on a Q.. s:? :? s:? ), at least that was my understanding of the new rules last time I read about them..

Having said all that - I'm sure I've seen an MX-5 running around here with stickon plates (or was it an MGF?), and those are also 'illegal' on cars newer than a certain date..

darrenjuggins · March 31, 2004, 19:27

Hi Guys / Girls,

I have a mate with a vectra with a set of black and silver and he always quotes something out of the highway code everytime he gets stopped.

I'll try and fine the paragraph, but he's quite happily running on Black and white (silver) plates...

I'll keep you informed.

Cheers

Darren

Peter Laborne · April 1, 2004, 00:23

Quote from: "Comer"The DVLA states that:

Vehicles constructed before 1.1.73 may display traditional style "black and white" plates i.e. white, silver or grey characters on a black plate

But why is it ok for older cars to have these?

Quite simply because this was the style of plates at the time or before. Then reflective plates made an appearance on 1st Jan 1973. It would be unreasonable to force everyone with a B&W plate to change it, much like it would be unreasonable to force everyone with a pre-51 plate to change it to the style of a 51-plate or later.

Putting a B&W plate would cause a problem. The makers should refuse to make it unless you state that it is for show use as the reg is a big giveaway that it isn't old enough.

Lets say that they did make one up for you, you put it on your 2 and carried a reflective spare just in case you get pulled. Now lets say you do get pulled. Are your really going to say that you have got a normal plate handy? They will just comment that you must have know it was illegal which is why you were carrying a spare? Then you dig yourself in deeper by saying that you were not sure if it was illegal which is why you have a spare. Right...so you are not sure whether what you are doing is illegal, but will carry on regardless and carry a spare.

Ok it may look good but do you really want to run the risk of running into Mr Plod, who is in a fowl mood that day, and ends up giving you a fine and points?

markiii · April 1, 2004, 00:27

how about a modern style plate, but white both front and back, since the letters are black, it's close?

Peter Laborne · April 1, 2004, 00:34

Quote from: "markiii"how about a modern style plate, but white both front and back, since the letters are black, it's close?

Because the law states that it must be reflective black on white on the front of the vehicle and black on yellow on the rear.

I will dig up the exact paragraph after I have got some sleep s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

markiii · April 1, 2004, 00:36

any law on driving backwards? :-) :-) :-)

Anonymous · April 1, 2004, 13:40

Quote from: "darrenjuggins"Hi Guys / Girls,

I have a mate with a vectra with a set of black and silver and he always quotes something out of the highway code everytime he gets stopped.

I'll try and fine the paragraph, but he's quite happily running on Black and white (silver) plates...

I'll keep you informed.

Cheers

Darren

...which is fine if you want to be pulled by the police. I'd rather not personally. s:wink: :wink: s:wink: