NIP received but it wasnt my car

ChumLee

Mankysteve wrote: »

They could seize it and arrest the driver if the police officer may think its stolen.

driver gets tugged for police doesn't believe his story about it being borrowed from a friend, friend uncontactable for some reason.

Would be reasonable grounds to suspect its stolen too me.

There properly is some offense being committed by running a trailers without the right plate too.

Maybe if it were on the back of a chaved up Saxo and the spotty driver couldn't name the owner. But unlikely with a polite middle aged chap who can give the name, address and phone number of the owner.

ChumLee

Herzlos wrote: »

I assume it comes under the same law that'll cover driving a car with the wrong plate. Proving it wasn't stolen is a good point too; the only way you can do that i have someone bring along the V5 for the car that has the plate or possible some paperwork covering the sale of the trailer, and unless it's registered on TER that's pretty unlikely.


Taking the plate from the back *might* work, if you're allowed to do that, and have a suitable way of fitting it to the trailer (they don't all fit in the same way, lots of cars have anti-tamper plate fittings).

Then, having been pulled, they'll go over the car and trailer thoroughly - Is everything in road legal order? Are the weight restrictions satisfied? Is the trailer hitched properly and any load secured? Does the drivers license cover that trailer combo? Because lets be honest, the kind of driver that borrows a trailer without changing the plate (and then gone through a speed camera) probably isn't likely to know much else about it. It's quite a common thing to catch out hire van drivers exceeding weight limits, as they just assume if it'll fit inside it's OK.

Do you realise that's not something a constable is automatically allowed to do and you can request to see his authority to weigh and examine motor vehicles and trailers? Not everyone that the written authority to do so.

Herzlos

It'd be a judgement call on whether they think it's stolen or not, if they ask for proof it becomes difficult. Particularly if trailer theft is common in the area.

ChumLee wrote: »

Do you realise that's not something a constable is automatically allowed to do and you can request to see his authority to weigh and examine motor vehicles and trailers? Not everyone that the written authority to do so.

They need special authority to examine vehicles on the road? I'd always assumed that they can do that anyway. Maybe it's different for actually weighing them but they don't need to do that to determine if you're legal or not in most cases.

ChumLee

Herzlos wrote: »

It'd be a judgement call on whether they think it's stolen or not, if they ask for proof it becomes difficult. Particularly if trailer theft is common in the area.



They need special authority to examine vehicles on the road? I'd always assumed that they can do that anyway. Maybe it's different for actually weighing them but they don't need to do that to determine if you're legal or not in most cases.

Ownership and insurance no, fitness to be on the road generally yes.

Herzlos

generally yes?

Car_54

[UOTE=ChumLee;69014334]What offence would that be then?

The regulations say.

(2) A registration plate must be fixed on the rear of—

(a)the vehicle, or

(b)where the vehicle is towing a trailer, the trailer, or

(c)where the vehicle is towing more than one trailer, the rearmost trailer.

Do you see the words vehicle and trailer?[/QUOTE]

Thank you. You live and learn.

ChumLee

Herzlos wrote: »

generally yes?

Yes to test section 67 applies.

If you have a light out and it's obvious they can do you, but as for turning them on or testing your washer fluid. Ask them to produce their authority.

Herzlos

section 8 leaves quite a bit of scope:

(8)Where in the opinion of a constable the vehicle is apparently so defective that it ought not to be allowed to proceed without a test being carried out, he may require the test to be carried out forthwith.

But yeah, for a detailed examination they'd need to show authority. Out of interest, how likely is it that they'll have such authority?

ChumLee

Herzlos wrote: »

section 8 leaves quite a bit of scope:




But yeah, for a detailed examination they'd need to show authority. Out of interest, how likely is it that they'll have such authority?

Depends on the force is question. Some will give them on appointment but give no training, so the officer probably won't know what he's doing. North Wales used to. The majority of forces it's traffic police or ex traffic.

Section 8, breath tests???

hollie.weimeraner

Herzlos wrote: »

section 8 leaves quite a bit of scope:
But yeah, for a detailed examination they'd need to show authority. Out of interest, how likely is it that they'll have such authority?

They need to be authorised vehicle examiners. generally just Road Police are authorised - so not very likely given the decrease in road policing over recent years.