£30 for registration plates

shown73

Sorry, do-gooders and conformists, I'm with diesel, it's a complete waste of police resources and admin time, with all the other things going on. A typical example of people who don't have to account for their time, or fill in a job sheet. Yes, he's probably wrong, but a quick word, a visit to the local police station to ensure that a proper plate had been fitted, job done. But then, if common sense were to become more widespread, think how many shineys would be out of a job. For non-RAF readers, shineys=shiney-!!!!!!=those who sit in chairs pushing pens.....

Bluebeard_3

Its all designed to be easily read by ANPR (number plate recognition) camera equipment and CCTV cameras - thats why all number plates must comply from 2001 onwards - easy. Plate don't comply - then you commit an offence - the details are in philhuff's reply

tali

diesel9181 wrote: »

oooh whats this gang up on me? i asked a question and everybody is less than constructive with their comments. thanks

the technical term for these is twatplates(sorry) but having said that the description of yours and the circumstances seem pretty trivial and the police heavy handed -so i can understand your annoyance as ive seen some outraegous twatplates in my my time .yes sadly you will get ganging up here unfortunately

OverlandLandy

diesel9181 wrote: »

i just though i was gettnig the plates cheaper off the net and not realising they werent legit.

I thought you had to show your V5 to get plates these days? Just wondering how you managed to get stung? were they 'clearing out' their old style plates? Perhaps the Police may be interested in this and take a more lenient view?

david29dpo

When my brother in law bought his off the net, the term used is...for show purposes only, its gets round the law.

filram

Pay the fine. Don't think about going to court. You'll end up with an increased fine and court costs on top. Best to put it down to experience.

OverlandLandy

OP- Just wondering where you got to with your decision?

Crabman

This factsheet from DVLA states the requirements for numberplates, before and after 2001; if yours didn't conform to this then there's little chance you'd succeed in court.

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

amz84uk

Sorry to bring this thread back alive, but I got pulled over on the M62 yesterday, for the same reason as diesel.

I've had the number plate for 4years, and before that, my brother had it on his car for 2 years. We've never been stopped by the police. I've driven behind the police and in front of them many times, but never been raised. The only character different is the "9" which has been adjusted - to illustrate an "A", but it's clearly visible. I've seen number plates in italics, others which move characters from one "group" to the other, and they've been driving around for a long time aswell. People alter the "8" to a "B", and put screws etc in - that's bad as its not displayed easily. My number plate is visible easily.

Anyway, on the M62, the marked Volvo followed me for about 5minutes, and then pulled me over into the hard shoulder. The first question the officer asked was, "were you on your phone?", to which I replied, "No" - even though I had my bluetooth headset and I wasn't on my phone either - think he wanted to pin something stronger on me, but I genuinely wasn't. I was cautioned and given the £30 fine for "incorrect spacing" and told to pay within 28days. They took photo's with their digital camera of the car incase I appealed, and sent me packing - no mention of what to do with the number plate or anything!

My argument is that there are REAL criminals out there, who the police should focus on - gun crime, drugs, etc. I understand that these were Traffic Police, but surely they've seen drivers tailgating closely, speeding excessively, undertaking drivers, and the common one - chatting on the phone without handsfree headset (3 points)! These are more likely to cause an accident, than a number plate - which they could read easily themselves, so don't understand why they wanted it changed. And why don't the Police have a universal law amongst all forces?

Diesel - what have you done with the plate number?

I will definately pay the fine of £30 though, as its not as bad as being given Points, but its a petty thing - the fonts the legal font (apart from the "9) which does NOT mis-lead anyone.

Crabman

A numberplate which isn't legal may not be readable by an ANPR system used for detecting 'real' criminals as you refer to them.

Regarding your bluetooth headset, it's likely they were curious as to why you were wearing one when the Highway Code says you should switch your phone off before setting off.

The Highway Code - Free & Online