i am thinking about getting the smaller sized number plate for the front of my car to replace the big one thats standard. Is this illegal, if so what happens if you get caught with it on? is it the sort of thing where you will get a warning etc, or can you get points or a fine?

 

Yep. Anything other than standard size is illegal. I think the square bike plates are legal on imports... but not 100%.

My mate got caught with illegal plates (non-standard fonts) didn't get a fine, but got a producer, plus had to shell out £17 on a set of legal plates.

 

you get 1 caution then a £30 fine each time your caught with it on weather it be spacing font or size im lucky so far have had two verble cautions (not logged over radio just a friendly word)but i dont know how small u mean the copper just laughed at mine said its smallest hes seen smaller then a motorbike and found my little pic comical too.

 

You can be fined £30 on the spot, and on the third offence, if you have a private plate it can be revoked permanently with no refund. Incorrect size, incorrect spacing, incorrect font and even the wrong symbol in the panel which states 'GB' or 'EU' etc. You may also be asked to take the car to an MOT testing station where you have to pay for them to inspect the legal plate once re-fitted before stamping the producer which you must then present at the Police station. Quite simply, not worth the hassle ! The best option if you must have as small a plate as possible is to buy a private reg with as few characters as possible and get the plate made with the minimum of borders, but correct size and spacing.

Number plates and registration marks

 

"if you have a private plate it can be revoked permanently with no refund. "

wot a load ov old sh*t , where did you dream that up from

 

IMHO its not worth the aggro...

this is the sort of thing they are tightening up on now and is it worth attracting attention to yourself??

been there done it myself and got a warning of my local plod (they did a u turn and followed me!!!)

i just said sorry i didn't know, blah blah blah and they just said if they see it again, they would nick me!!!

fair enough i thought and changed it the next day.

dazza

 

didnt dream it up from nowhere mate ive heard it aswell if its private and you keep doing it they will and can take it off you

 

*Touchwood* If you get a three quarter sized plate with std lettering and spacing then you'll probably find the old bill won't notice.

Ns04

 

had my small plate on for years............no probs at all , even when stop for speeding , tint glass, etc etc
see my proflie for pics of the plate

 

given imprezas are hardly stealth cars, yr just asking for trouble.

 

Just out of interest what are you hoping to achieve by fitting a smaller front plate other than giving the police just another reason to pull you over?

 

Probably the same place that also sent me a letter stating if I didnt put the legal plates back on, my private plate would be revoked



oh, and that was after being stopped for only the second time, not worth the hassle, so legal sized plates and fonts have been on ever since

 

^^ same happened to me^^

 

From the link posted by corradoboy #4:

 

I've got Import size plates front and back and touch wood no trouble to date

 

Only imports are excluded from the usual plates. Uk cars must comply with the DVLA but imports have another ruling. For exact sizes read Section 14a of the road traffic act.

 

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/lea...mberplates.pdf

It mentions CERTAIN imports can have smaller letters, IF the vehicle doesnt have european type approval AND can't accomodate a standard size plate, im guessing that doesnt include an impreza seen as the front bumper has space to fit a huge number plate if needed.

 

thats a load ov crap

 

Certain (imported) vehicles may legally display a registration plate using motorcycle sized characters. The dispensation used to be included on the webpage linked to above; but they have recently made it harder to find.

I dont have access to the link at the moment, although Im sure that other members do.....

 

Believe what you want .

Scoobmeister - to increase airflow to the fmic.

 

Spot on! You can legally use one if the vehicle still retains its Japanese number plate surround/holder, though.

 

Err, no it's not. Read the following link towards the bottom of page where it clearly states that you are liable for a fine and in some cases the mark can be withdrawn.

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/leaflets/v796.pdf

Some people really know it all....

Personally, I have been using a 12" x 3" front plate for well over a year now with no issues whatsoever. But then I am lucky as the police in my area are far too lazy to pull you over.

 

I havent had a front plate on my car since I bought it. I carry a broken plate in the car and if stoped will just say I got back to the car and it was hanging off, and I will get another ASAP. I never had one on my last car either.
The benefit is that you wont get picked up by forward facing cameras and police behind hedges etc.
If I do get caught its a fine, but no points, which in my book is better than getting caught for speeding.

 

I have mine for show use only, which dont draw too much attention.
I have always fancied a self adhesive plate on the splitter or bonnet.
Are these illegal?

Justin

 

Ive got a 3/4 front plate and I got caught by traffic police, got a £30 fine!!! and he took pictures of it to send to DVLA!!
Then a week later I got stopped again for speeding (nice officer let me off) but he warned me about the plate. I guess its been logged now and I should change it! Its not really worth the hassle as you have to spend again gettin another set made.

 

I had a 3/4 plate for over a year and then about 2 months ago got pulled over, was told politely to remove it for the correct size within 28 days, I got given the little yellow docket to get stamped that cost me £20.. I was worried they were going to start going over the car for everything, she commented on my tints as it was. She assumed I had all my windows tinted which they were not, she was just making full use of looking whilst she could, it's not worth it.. She made it clear she had seen my car before and would have stopped me but I was always going in the opposite direction.. She was perfectly within her right to stop me, i knew i was illegal but it does grate at me when you see people driving with one light out or none at all and really crap parking on main roads and in residentual areas, they should consentrate as much on them as picking on plates, at least we have them, well most of us (Horrid Cars )
Nice car lady T, very nice.

 

3/4 sized plates and correctly spaced plates which legally use motorcycle sized characters are two completely separate things.

 

So in what situation on a public road is the extra amount of air going through your intercooler by fitting a smaller number plate going to make such a difference?
Public road fit a standard plate, track day etc remove the thing altogether!

 

I've had my "show" plate on for 18 months now with no trouble. But i always carry the full size one in the boot just incase the police ask me to put it back on.