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can I run a square rear plate - Legally?

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Old 26 May 2010, 07:11 PM
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Abx
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Default can I run a square rear plate - Legally?

Hi

The standard rectangular plate does not really sit that well on the recess of my 08 hatch and a square plate sits much better, my question is can I legally fit a square rear plate on a uk car?

Cheers
A
Old 26 May 2010, 07:46 PM
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duds64
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yes as long as the font is correct
Old 26 May 2010, 09:11 PM
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TonyBurns
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Nope, you have to run a standard rectangular plate, have a lovely opsi document here if you want to see what you can run with or not

Tony
Old 27 May 2010, 10:25 AM
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rb5 286
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Originally Posted by Arronb
Hi

The standard rectangular plate does not really sit that well on the recess of my 08 hatch and a square plate sits much better, my question is can I legally fit a square rear plate on a uk car?

Cheers
A

lol I have had the exact same thoughts and was goign to make one up myself in the jap style square

i didnt think it was a problem if the plate was legally right size, font, spacing etc

after all many mini cabs have them due to the taxi licence
Old 27 May 2010, 10:39 AM
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I know, so many 4x4's have them, guess perhaps you have to stick with what is standard from the factory?

Its a pain as the rectangular plate is just too long and did actually mark the bodywork where it was rubbing so I had to space it away from the body a little and get the Tcut out.

Tony, can I fit a shorter plate with standard font etc, my plate is TXX WRC so short enough to reduce overall length without spacing spacing issues?

Ta
Old 27 May 2010, 11:35 AM
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scoobyride
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what about jap imports did they all not have square plates?
Old 27 May 2010, 12:00 PM
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Nickvilla20
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When i had my MR2 import that had a square plate as the space in the bumper wasnt big enough to hold a UK rectangle plate
Old 27 May 2010, 12:12 PM
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shaunyboyuk
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If it can pass an mot with one on then im sure its legal. Providing its correct size, font, spacing shouldent be a problem.
Old 27 May 2010, 12:14 PM
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I was thinking the same mod...but plumped on a slightly smaller rectangular plate (still legal) in the end.... I am liking the Jap/US square rear plate look though.... hasn't Rigged STI got a square one?
Old 27 May 2010, 12:36 PM
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Want to go fully legal as I have a 3/4 plate on the front, which has been fine but I don't want to push my luck.

Yes Rigged has a square one on the rear, his car IIRC is an actual left hooker import though so not sure if he can get away with it as in the US his car has a square plate as stock.
Old 27 May 2010, 12:56 PM
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You can fit a square plate to an import, but only if the cut out for the number plate won't accept a standard rectangular plate - that's why so many 4x4 imports have square plates on the back door panel.
I think you can also have motorbike-sized characters as well for the same reason.

I've been running square plates on my classic for years with no issues.
Old 27 May 2010, 01:26 PM
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f4la k
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Ivegot square plate on back and front. Its an import and has fmic so has an evo style plate to one side on front.
Old 27 May 2010, 02:13 PM
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this was my old car back up forsale i put the square bike plate on this car in 2006 and it,s still on it today 4 years after ownership and 3 more owner,s so it,s past mot,s with me and them and the police

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk...eId=1159342425
Old 27 May 2010, 02:13 PM
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aslong as you keep font and spacing legal, i think youd be pretty unlucky to get into bother for it.

dont know whats its like down your way, but up here id be very suprised at anything coming from it.
Old 27 May 2010, 05:24 PM
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bobtheboss78
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ive got a square plate on front and back and it passed the mot last month with no probs
Old 27 May 2010, 07:53 PM
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Marx Mcrae
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My old classic had a square plate at the front and back and had no problems for over 3 years.
Artic trailers are 90% of the time square rather than rectangular and they never have any problems either
Old 27 May 2010, 08:02 PM
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Mine passes MOT with one, as long as you're not tripping ANPR's or driving like a bell end, you'd be very very unlikely to get picked up on it if it's BSU and Legally fonted !
Old 27 May 2010, 09:10 PM
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Not legal at all on UK cars unless the car cannot fit a standard UK rectangular plate (for example, mitsubishi shogun or evo)

If you want to trawl through it, all the info is in here, this is law btw if the cops are bored then they can do you for it.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2001/uksi_20010561_en.pdf

This also counts for japanese import cars, anything imported prior to 2001 can get away with it, after 2001 then you have to fit the standard plates (which you would have no problem doing as the area available is suitable without any modifications to fit the uk plates)

Tony
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