G.B.Plates....

[Deneb]

By default a non EU country has display the black and white country sticker so that as such would not have to be explicitly written. What is interesting is that the government has told the plate makers they cannot produce a plate with the blue background stars with GB in the middle. However you can buy a plate with an area that has stars and GB as long as it’s background is not blue. It’s a strange weird world and on another thread regarding pet passports people are happy to pay for a EU pet passports to circumnavigate the system. ( this is not pro or anti Brexit just observing the bizzare nature of it all).

The black and white international country identifier is covered by international law and has been in effect since at least 1919. All signatories to the International Conventions on Road Traffic have to accept it.

The euro-stars and country identifier on a number plate is an internal EU agreement between member states (and some EEA nations) that they will not require the international convention identifier to be displayed on vehicles registered in their member states if the "europlate" is fitted to the vehicle.

UK law sets out the country identifiers that are allowed to be displayed on UK number plates. Some, such as those for England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales are internal and only recognised within the UK - they have no legal standing internationally. "UK" is also permitted by UK legislation but not recognised outside of our borders.

The EU stars and GB identifier were of course permitted to be displayed on UK number plates when we were an EU member state. It was always voluntary, but some EU states have made the "europlate" mandatory for vehicles registered in their country.

Now we have left the EU, we cannot avail ourselves of the "europlate" as we are no longer a member state. So it is no longer legal for UK registered number plate suppliers to include it on new number plates. The EU would also have been within their rights to insist that it must no longer be displayed on any UK registered vehicles circulating with the EU, but common sense has prevailed in that existing europlates do not have to be removed from UK registered vehicles; but as they are no longer recognised the International Convention sticker or plate must be separately displayed, as would be the case anywhere else in the world.

Except that, an agreement appears to have been reached with most of the EU (Spain, Cyprus and Malta excepted) that the Union flag and/or GB identifier alone on a UK number plate (which were previously legal in the UK but not recognised anywhere outside of our borders) will be acceptable instead of the International Convention sticker.

None of that prevents any driver from displaying an International Convention sticker instead of, or as well as a recognised and acceptable "GB" number plate if they wish to.

You can buy number plates with all sorts of things on them that are not allowed, from all sorts of internet businesses, market stalls and other "number plate suppliers" who refer to them as "show plates". EU stars on a black background would fall into that category - it is not legal anywhere. There is no such thing as a show plate in law, and UK legislation actually states that any number plate that does not conform to the legal requirements, or any item that is made up to appear to be a number plate, is actually a "counterfeit plate", the display of which can be subject to various penalties, whether on or off road.

 

[Coolcats]

The black and white international country identifier is covered by international law and has been in effect since at least 1919. All signatories to the International Conventions on Road Traffic have to accept it.

The euro-stars and country identifier on a number plate is an internal EU agreement between member states (and some EEA nations) that they will not require the international convention identifier to be displayed on vehicles registered in their member states if the "europlate" is fitted to the vehicle.

UK law sets out the country identifiers that are allowed to be displayed on UK number plates. Some, such as those for England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales are internal and only recognised within the UK - they have no legal standing internationally. "UK" is also permitted by UK legislation but not recognised outside of our borders.

The EU stars and GB identifier were of course permitted to be displayed on UK number plates when we were an EU member state. It was always voluntary, but some EU states have made the "europlate" mandatory for vehicles registered in their country.

Now we have left the EU, we cannot avail ourselves of the "europlate" as we are no longer a member state. So it is no longer legal for UK registered number plate suppliers to include it on new number plates. The EU would also have been within their rights to insist that it must no longer be displayed on any UK registered vehicles circulating with the EU, but common sense has prevailed in that existing europlates do not have to be removed from UK registered vehicles; but as they are no longer recognised the International Convention sticker or plate must be separately displayed, as would be the case anywhere else in the world.

Except that, an agreement appears to have been reached with most of the EU (Spain, Cyprus and Malta excepted) that the Union flag and/or GB identifier alone on a UK number plate (which were previously legal in the UK but not recognised anywhere outside of our borders) will be acceptable instead of the International Convention sticker.

None of that prevents any driver from displaying an International Convention sticker instead of, or as well as a recognised and acceptable "GB" number plate if they wish to.

You can buy number plates with all sorts of things on them that are not allowed, from all sorts of internet businesses, market stalls and other "number plate suppliers" who refer to them as "show plates". EU stars on a black background would fall into that category - it is not legal anywhere. There is no such thing as a show plate in law, and UK legislation actually states that any number plate that does not conform to the legal requirements, or any item that is made up to appear to be a number plate, is actually a "counterfeit plate", the display of which can be subject to various penalties, whether on or off road.

I do believe that is what I said but not in such a eloquent way, you can be pulled up for show-plates but if the iconography is beyond the legal plate area it would not be illegal hence the ability to have other iconography displayed clearly it cannot be illegal or offensive, but that should be common sense.

 

[Deneb]

I do believe that is what I said but not in such a eloquent way, you can be pulled up for show-plates but if the iconography is beyond the legal plate area it would not be illegal hence the ability to have other iconography displayed clearly it cannot be illegal or offensive, but that should be common sense.

The only other iconography legally allowed on a number plate are the British Standard mark and the name and postcode of the supplier. Yes, you can display anything (subject to the conditions you mention) "beyond the legal plate area", but a standard rectangular number plate with 89mm characters does not allow enough space for anything of a legible size to be added to the plate itself, without impinging on the minimum margin specified by the regulations. So "anything else" invariably needs to be on a plate carrier frame or on the vehicle bodywork adjacent to the plate to be legal - custom shaped oversized plates such as those fitted to some Jaguars and Range Rovers etc. excepted.

The supplier information and B.S. mark must be present on the plate. Removing or not including it, so that it can be replaced with any other logo or phrase of your choosing is not permitted.

 

[Gaston aires]

Another Cornishman here.
A St Ives “Hake”. Left long ago.
Miss it daily, but too many second homes have gutted the “Real” Cornwall I knew.
Sad.
Mitch.

Along with Aldeburgh and Southwold, have you seen the prices !
Same all along the North Norfolk coast as well, frightening.
Phil

 

[Coolcats]

The only other iconography legally allowed on a number plate are the British Standard mark and the name and postcode of the supplier. Yes, you can display anything (subject to the conditions you mention) "beyond the legal plate area", but a standard rectangular number plate with 89mm characters does not allow enough space for anything of a legible size to be added to the plate itself, without impinging on the minimum margin specified by the regulations. So "anything else" invariably needs to be on a plate carrier frame or on the vehicle bodywork adjacent to the plate to be legal - custom shaped oversized plates such as those fitted to some Jaguars and Range Rovers etc. excepted.

The supplier information and B.S. mark must be present on the plate. Removing or not including it, so that it can be replaced with any other logo or phrase of your choosing is not permitted.

I’m sure the plate suppliers are all aware of this as they do show ‘show plates’ (non legal) as well as what is permitted on the custom plate which includes raised, Gel 3D 4D carbon lettering with a choice of background design all permitted within the BS and legal range.

Don’t get me wrong I am all for legal plates but minor variance is allowable which the plate makers take advantage of such as those above.

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[Deneb]

I’m sure the plate suppliers are all aware of this as they do show ‘show plates’ (non legal) as well as what is permitted on the custom plate which includes raised, Gel 3D 4D carbon lettering with a choice of background design all permitted within the BS and legal range.

Don’t get me wrong I am all for legal plates but minor variance is allowable which the plate makers take advantage of such as those above.

They are, or should, be aware of it, particularly if they are registered number plate suppliers - there are quite a few number plate suppliers online and at markets etc. who operate outside the law.

But again, there is no such thing as a "show plate". It is a term invented by plate suppliers who should know better, to part gullible people from their money by appealing to their vanity etc.

The legislation is quite clear - Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001.

"A person who sells a plate or other device which is not a registration plate as a registration plate knowing that it is not a registration plate or being reckless as to whether it is a registration plate shall be guilty of an offence".

"A person who sells a plate or other device which is not a registration plate only because the registration mark displayed by it—

(a)does not comply with regulations under paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section 23 of the 1994 Act, or

(b)is displayed otherwise than in accordance with regulations under paragraph (b) of that subsection,

(or both) shall be guilty of an offence."

Since a so-called "show plate" does not comply with the legal requirements for a registration plate, it is not a registration plate as legally defined, and it is an offence as above to sell them.

We have prosecuted number plate suppliers for selling counterfeit plates in those circumstances. In one case, where the supplier was producing plates that had been found to have been used to facilitate the theft and cloning of several hundred cars, as well as other criminal offences committed by his customers, he was imprisoned for that and other related offences, and HMRC took a very in-depth interest in his business.

So no, "minor variances" that do not conform to the requirements of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act or the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations are not allowed, albeit many traders do "try and take advantage of them" by effectively conning gullible customers out of their money, or facilitating criminal conduct.

This really has very little to do with the original topic of this thread though.

 

[Coolcats]

They are, or should, be aware of it, particularly if they are registered number plate suppliers - there are quite a few number plate suppliers online and at markets etc. who operate outside the law.

But again, there is no such thing as a "show plate". It is a term invented by plate suppliers who should know better, to part gullible people from their money by appealing to their vanity etc.

The legislation is quite clear - Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001.

"A person who sells a plate or other device which is not a registration plate as a registration plate knowing that it is not a registration plate or being reckless as to whether it is a registration plate shall be guilty of an offence".

"A person who sells a plate or other device which is not a registration plate only because the registration mark displayed by it—

(a)does not comply with regulations under paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section 23 of the 1994 Act, or

(b)is displayed otherwise than in accordance with regulations under paragraph (b) of that subsection,

(or both) shall be guilty of an offence."

Since a so-called "show plate" does not comply with the legal requirements for a registration plate, it is not a registration plate as legally defined, and it is an offence as above to sell them.

We have prosecuted number plate suppliers for selling counterfeit plates in those circumstances. In one case, where the supplier was producing plates that had been found to have been used to facilitate the theft and cloning of several hundred cars, as well as other criminal offences committed by his customers, he was imprisoned for that and other related offences, and HMRC took a very in-depth interest in his business.

So no, "minor variances" that do not conform to the requirements of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act or the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations are not allowed, albeit many traders do "try and take advantage of them" by effectively conning gullible customers out of their money, or facilitating criminalconduct.

This really has very little to do with the original topic of this thread though.

It sounds like your a Road traffic officer, Lets take a differing perspective in that you are right but not correct, by this I mean that Plates have to be legal for road use, but 'Show plates' are real and legal in the context they are used, probably the easiest example of 'Show plates' are those that are manufactured for Car dealerships, these are often used so that your focus is on the Car not its age, here is an example a used £100K Lotus that is offered for £69K but the show plate hides the model year (totally Legal).


So bringing the discussion back to current plates fortunately there is no requirement to change existing 'Euro Style plates' saving all motorists who are not bothered about the little circle of stars on a blue background unnecessary costs but rest assured I will be placing the required Black and white GB sticker on the Motorhome.

 

[Deneb]

It sounds like your a Road traffic officer, Lets take a differing perspective in that you are right but not correct, by this I mean that Plates have to be legal for road use, but 'Show plates' are real and legal in the context they are used, probably the easiest example of 'Show plates' are those that are manufactured for Car dealerships, these are often used so that your focus is on the Car not its age, here is an example a used £100K Lotus that is offered for £69K but the show plate hides the model year (totally Legal).

View attachment 454922
So bringing the discussion back to current plates fortunately there is no requirement to change existing 'Euro Style plates' saving all motorists who are not bothered about the little circle of stars on a blue background unnecessary costs but rest assured I will be placing the required Black and white GB sticker on the Motorhome.

But the items in your example are referred to as Showroom Plates, not "Show Plates" They don't contain a registration mark, they are not registration plates in any shape or form and they are not covered in any way by the law relating to registration plates. As the supplier states, their purpose is to "promote vehicle/company/manufacturer brand and promotional messages" and they are neither intended or able to be used as registration plates.

Dubious number plate suppliers and the type of car owners that buy them, use the term "show plates" to mean registration plates (number plates) that aren't legal to be displayed on a vehicle used on a road, because the registration mark is displayed in an incorrect font, the spacing is illegally altered, they utilize colours or contain flags, badges, graphics or text which are not allowed, or do not comply with the legislation in some other respect. Some fit them to their cars whilst driving on the road and carry a pair of legal number plates in the boot, in the erroneous belief that if they are stopped, they can claim to have been to a car show and forgotten to change them over before they left - the first time a police officer has ever heard that excuse

The legislation is quite clear that any registration plate which contains or purports to contain a registration mark has to fully conform to the legal requirements for the size, layout and appearance of a registration plate. If it doesn't, it is a counterfeit number plate and it is illegal to sell them. It doesn't matter whether you want to call them show plates, dinner plates, giraffes, or anything else. If they contain a registration mark or even purport to contain a registration mark (a string of characters which suggest that they are a registration mark, but which is a registration mark that has not actually been issued by the Secretary of State) they are illegal, no ifs, buts or claims of only being intended for show use.

We covered the fact that neither the UK or EU are forcing us to change existing europlates several posts ago, although it is now illegal to supply or fit new europlates to a UK registered vehicle going forward.

 

[Coolcats]

But the items in your example are referred to as Showroom Plates, not "Show Plates" They don't contain a registration mark, they are not registration plates in any shape or form and they are not covered in any way by the law relating to registration plates. As the supplier states, their purpose is to "promote vehicle/company/manufacturer brand and promotional messages" and they are neither intended or able to be used as registration plates.

Dubious number plate suppliers and the type of car owners that buy them, use the term "show plates" to mean registration plates (number plates) that aren't legal to be displayed on a vehicle used on a road, because the registration mark is displayed in an incorrect font, the spacing is illegally altered, they utilize colours or contain flags, badges, graphics or text which are not allowed, or do not comply with the legislation in some other respect. Some fit them to their cars whilst driving on the road and carry a pair of legal number plates in the boot, in the erroneous belief that if they are stopped, they can claim to have been to a car show and forgotten to change them over before they left - the first time a police officer has ever heard that excuse

The legislation is quite clear that any registration plate which contains or purports to contain a registration mark has to fully conform to the legal requirements for the size, layout and appearance of a registration plate. If it doesn't, it is a counterfeit number plate and it is illegal to sell them. It doesn't matter whether you want to call them show plates, dinner plates, giraffes, or anything else. If they contain a registration mark or even purport to contain a registration mark (a string of characters which suggest that they are a registration mark, but which is a registration mark that has not actually been issued by the Secretary of State) they are illegal, no ifs, buts or claims of only being intended for show use.

We covered the fact that neither the UK or EU are forcing us to change existing europlates several posts ago, although it is now illegal to supply or fit new europlates to a UK registered vehicle going forward.

I am not arguing what is and not legal it is quite clear,

Show plates is a shortened term for Showroom Plates, the world is full of abbreviated and shortened terms. I gave an example and not a list of uses. Turn up at a track day and you will see many cars with their Number plates (legal ones) blanked out as the owners do not wish the cars to be seen to have been used on track for a variety of reasons, sometimes they have been loaned. Show plates can also be used on a track car or it may be a manufacturer or dealer wanting to push the brand maybe on track or at a trade show or showroom as you can see on the examples provided by Pro-Plates (these do show numbers) which is totally legal to do.

The funniest part of it all is that when I had Vehicles stollen last year ANPR did not pick my plates up which goes to show you can have all the legislation in the world regarding Number plates and there legality but they are a bit of a chocolate tea pot when it comes to stopping real crime!

 

[Deneb]

Show plates can also be used on a track car or it may be a manufacturer or dealer wanting to push the brand maybe on track or at a trade show or showroom as you can see on the examples provided by Pro-Plates (these do show numbers) which is totally legal to do.

Strange that in their FAQ answers Pro-Plates state that show plates are intended for show, track or display use, "to hide your VRM", yet offer to supply plates containing registration marks, which is illegal.

You can claim it is legal until you are blue in the face. I have quoted the relevant section of the Vehicles (Crime) Act and it is perfectly clear.

The fact that sellers and suppliers of number plates are able to produce counterfeit number plates with impunity doesn't make them legal, it just evidences the ineffectiveness of the legislation. Unfortunately successive governments in recent times seem to think that the answer to any problem is simply to introduce legislation, without any thought as to how it can be enforced. There are over 40,000 registered number plate suppliers in the UK. To police them effectively would require an organisation at least as large as the current establishment of police officers in this country, tasked solely with overseeing that legislation.

If the government were serious about this, they would do what many other countries do and make number plates an official item issued only in the permitted format by a restricted number of authorities. As it stands, it is impossible to carry out regular checks and enforcement on 40,000+ outlets, so enforcement is concentrated on unregistered suppliers who form the bulk of outlets supplying counterfeit plates that facilitate serious crime, with no checks on or records of the identity of applicants.

One of my many hats was to administer a number plate enforcement scheme for several years, carry out enforcement in liaison with DVLA enforcement officers, and give presentations to police officers working in specialist vehicle crime units on the features of illegal number plates that could indicate to them where the purported identity of a vehicle could be questionable, or where it may be involved in the commission of other offences. Sadly, I suspect I know more about number plate legislation than is healthy.

The fact that you can buy illegal number plates with ease and impunity because suppliers know that they can supply them to a willing customer base with virtually no risk of repercussions doesn't make them legal. The legislation is clear. I have quoted it and you can read it. There's nothing more to be said. I'm even boring myself silly and it has nothing to do with the rest of this thread, so I'm out, and you can stop wriggling now

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[Coolcats]

Strange that in their FAQ answers Pro-Plates state that show plates are intended for show, track or display use, "to hide your VRM", yet offer to supply plates containing registration marks, which is illegal.

You can claim it is legal until you are blue in the face. I have quoted the relevant section of the Vehicles (Crime) Act and it is perfectly clear.

The fact that sellers and suppliers of number plates are able to produce counterfeit number plates with impunity doesn't make them legal, it just evidences the ineffectiveness of the legislation. Unfortunately successive governments in recent times seem to think that the answer to any problem is simply to introduce legislation, without any thought as to how it can be enforced. There are over 40,000 registered number plate suppliers in the UK. To police them effectively would require an organisation at least as large as the current establishment of police officers in this country, tasked solely with overseeing that legislation.

If the government were serious about this, they would do what many other countries do and make number plates an official item issued only in the permitted format by a restricted number of authorities. As it stands, it is impossible to carry out regular checks and enforcement on 40,000+ outlets, so enforcement is concentrated on unregistered suppliers who form the bulk of outlets supplying counterfeit plates that facilitate serious crime, with no checks on or records of the identity of applicants.

One of my many hats was to administer a number plate enforcement scheme for several years, carry out enforcement in liaison with DVLA enforcement officers, and give presentations to police officers working in specialist vehicle crime units on the features of illegal number plates that could indicate to them where the purported identity of a vehicle could be questionable, or where it may be involved in the commission of other offences. Sadly, I suspect I know more about number plate legislation than is healthy.

The fact that you can buy illegal number plates with ease and impunity because suppliers know that they can supply them to a willing customer base with virtually no risk of repercussions doesn't make them legal. The legislation is clear. I have quoted it and you can read it. There's nothing more to be said. I'm even boring myself silly and it has nothing to do with the rest of this thread, so I'm out, and you can stop wriggling now

 

[Coolcats]

Really cannot see an issue with a VRM being hidden whilst not on the road and whilst it may be a grey area it is fortunately not illegal. I understand from a purely bureaucratic perspective (this is not meant to be rude) it would be frustrating seen as breaking rules.

In the main no harm is being done, ‘we’ do need people like yourself who wish to ensure rules are obeyed in the same way we need individuals who are sticklers for corporate due Diligence.

But sticking to rules so firmly stop and strangle innovation. I am with you on legal plates on road cars and feel for you over your frustration for cars with show plates disguising their identity off road, but it is not illegal to do so.

I’m not wriggling just not bothered about individuals or companies hiding the VRM on track, in show settings or when I a showroom.

 

[Deneb]

I’m not wriggling just not bothered about individuals or companies hiding the VRM on track, in show settings or when I a showroom.

Nor am I, or anyone else, and nothing prevents that at all.

The illegality is selling or supplying a registration plate (which contains a vehicle registration mark) but doesn't conform to the legal requirements for such a registration plate. Since no-one can control what the purchaser does or intends to do with such a plate, it is illegal to supply it. Nevertheless, if you want one, it is not all all difficult to obtain one.

But there is nothing to stop anyone buying a rectangular piece of plastic that has graphics, logos, pictures, company text, or anything else you want on it, and covering the registration mark of the vehicle in a showroom, at a show, on private property etc. The illegality arises in supplying such a plate if it contains a registration mark or a string of characters that purports to be a registration mark, whether that mark has been issued or not. If the purchaser of such a plate displays it on a vehicle at a show, on private property etc., nothing prevents them doing that either. It is the supplier who commits an offence.

But if the purchaser displays it on a vehicle whilst it is being used on a public road, that is a different matter. The penalties can be anywhere between signing an undertaking to agree that they have been made aware that it is an offence and will rectify the problem, to - in the case of serious misrepresentations of "cherished" registration marks - having the registration mark revoked and a normal age related mark reassigned to the vehicle, plus a fine.

 

[Coolcats]

Nor am I, or anyone else, and nothing prevents that at all.

The illegality is selling or supplying a registration plate (which contains a vehicle registration mark) but doesn't conform to the legal requirements for such a registration plate. Since no-one can control what the purchaser does or intends to do with such a plate, it is illegal to supply it. Nevertheless, if you want one, it is not all all difficult to obtain one.

But there is nothing to stop anyone buying a rectangular piece of plastic that has graphics, logos, pictures, company text, or anything else you want on it, and covering the registration mark of the vehicle in a showroom, at a show, on private property etc. The illegality arises in supplying such a plate if it contains a registration mark or a string of characters that purports to be a registration mark, whether that mark has been issued or not. If the purchaser of such a plate displays it on a vehicle at a show, on private property etc., nothing prevents them doing that either. It is the supplier who commits an offence.

But if the purchaser displays it on a vehicle whilst it is being used on a public road, that is a different matter. The penalties can be anywhere between signing an undertaking to agree that they have been made aware that it is an offence and will rectify the problem, to - in the case of serious misrepresentations of "cherished" registration marks - having the registration mark revoked and a normal age related mark reassigned to the vehicle, plus a fine.

I have the cherished plates on all my vehicles they are not modified beyond the legal, they are not show plates. Even my Track/ Road car is legal although it would look much better with a small plate on the front ( I’m sure the drag of it shaves 1000th of a second off going around the Brands hatch GP circuit. ! )

 

[duane0001]

Not a fan of the white GB stickers as my van is black, been trying to find out if black and silver would be acceptable but I do not think it would be!

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[Ninovan]

Maybe a daft question, but should we have GB plates if driving from ferry at Rosslare to NI?

 

[Brains]

Maybe a daft question, but should we have GB plates if driving from ferry at Rosslare to NI?

Yes.

Rosslare in in the EU and not in the UK.
Exact same rules would apply for Dublin, Santander, Bilbao, Cherbourg, Le Havre, Calais, Dunkirk, Zeebrugge, Hook of Holland or Amsterdam.

 

[Northernraider]

I am not arguing what is and not legal it is quite clear,

Show plates is a shortened term for Showroom Plates, the world is full of abbreviated and shortened terms. I gave an example and not a list of uses. Turn up at a track day and you will see many cars with their Number plates (legal ones) blanked out as the owners do not wish the cars to be seen to have been used on track for a variety of reasons, sometimes they have been loaned. Show plates can also be used on a track car or it may be a manufacturer or dealer wanting to push the brand maybe on track or at a trade show or showroom as you can see on the examples provided by Pro-Plates (these do show numbers) which is totally legal to do.

The funniest part of it all is that when I had Vehicles stollen last year ANPR did not pick my plates up which goes to show you can have all the legislation in the world regarding Number plates and there legality but they are a bit of a chocolate tea pot when it comes to stopping real crime!

Show plates are not short for showroom plates ...they are show plates meant for use at car shows.

I know this as i have used them for years on my vehicles

This is an example.

Totally illegal for road use but i did get away with it for several years ....on 5 different vehicles

 

[Drexxer]

Long nose T4?

 

[Northernraider]

Long nose T4?

Yes

Its been on 5 of them ....the bottom 2 pics show the legal format

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[Coolcats]

Show plates are not short for showroom plates ...they are show plates meant for use at car shows.

I know this as i have used them for years on my vehicles

This is an example.

Totally illegal for road use but i did get away with it for several years ....on 5 different vehiclesView attachment 463372

follow this link for Showroom Plates

Showroom Plates - Hills Numberplates Ltd

SHOWROOM PLATES Hills offer a great range of bespoke showroom plates for any application. Available in a range of sizes and colours, these plates can be used

www.hillsnumberplates.com

And yes I do understand that Show plates are a ‘thing’ as well

 

[Northernraider]

follow this link for Showroom Plates

Showroom Plates - Hills Numberplates Ltd

SHOWROOM PLATES Hills offer a great range of bespoke showroom plates for any application. Available in a range of sizes and colours, these plates can be used

www.hillsnumberplates.com

And yes I do understand that Show plates are a ‘thing’ as well

Totally different thing as Deneb stated above.

No one is buying showroom plates and using them on the road.

Show plates however they definitely are ...as i stated above i did this for years on a multitude of vehicles

You can buy them on ebay sold as show plates but with the registration number on them .....not road legal or mot passable.

But then again a vast percentage of private number plates are sold precisly on what they may read when illegally spaced or altered.

Easy to stop if dvla etc really wanted to but when theres money involved it never will be

 

[Coolcats]

Totally different thing as Deneb stated above.

No one is buying showroom plates and using them on the road.

Show plates however they definitely are ...as i stated above i did this for years on a multitude of vehicles

You can buy them on ebay sold as show plates but with the registration number on them .....not road legal or mot passable.

But then again a vast percentage of private number plates are sold precisly on what they may read when illegally spaced or altered.

Easy to stop if dvla etc really wanted to but when theres money involved it never will be

Number plates do not stop vehicles from being stolen, they are easily cloned, I was summoned before a magistrate for speeding, the authorities were too lazy to actually check that whilst the vehicle had the same plate as mine (legal not a show plate) the car that had been speeding was a totally different colour and a slightly different model. and as I said before I am all for legal plates, however their effectiveness for stopping crime is slim to non existent.

There are also all sorts of takes in show and showroom style plates

 

[wiljoy]

I've always run with the Scottish flag on my number plates. Don't live there but sometimes wish we did. Never ever displayed the EU stars.

 

[duane0001]

Legal or not?

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[Phileas Fogg]

Have always change mine as soon as I drove the car home, to St Pirans, have never liked the stars and blue, always felt , to me anyway, it was a form of legal subjugation.

We too have St Piran stickers over the EU ones, MOT coming up and will leave them on but of course they are illegal, interesting to see if it is a failure for that. I have never been stopped in Cornwall but not so sure that would be the same elsewhere in UK. Led to believe it was an old EU rule that prevented regional number plate markings, the Government has a rather full in box at the moment but it would be great if eventually this could change. Might even have made it easier to identify long distance travellers under the current situation.
Have personal plates on all our vehicles but misplaced letters an absolute no no for me.

 

[Pugsy]

Deleted post.

 

[rangi]

We too have St Piran stickers over the EU ones, MOT coming up and will leave them on but of course they are illegal, interesting to see if it is a failure for that. I have never been stopped in Cornwall but not so sure that would be the same elsewhere in UK. Led to believe it was an old EU rule that prevented regional number plate markings, the Government has a rather full in box at the moment but it would be great if eventually this could change. Might even have made it easier to identify long distance travellers under the current situation.
Have personal plates on all our vehicles but misplaced letters an absolute no no for me.

Had a joker try that on me, told him that I was a "*member of a recognised National Minority!"*
and was he being racist?
He backed down ,apologized and got back into his squad car.

 

[Coolcats]

Legal or not?

View attachment 463408

It hard to tell from a Photo (depth and angle of view), the numbers and lettering appear to be the correct height I wouldn't expect ANPR to be compromised the plates width looks a little short but it would all have to be measured I guess

 

[fat haggis]

Legal or not?

View attachment 463408

Perfectly legal I used to have short plate on my Porsche cars you can get 5 digit and 6 digit short plates looking the on the van it’s ok correct size and postcode on it.

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