Front license plate has fallen off or been stolen

1234catlady

Today I noticed that my front license plate wasn't there. It was definitely there two days ago when I last look at my car front on and can't be sure if it was there yesterday as I got into my car front the side rather than walk straight up it like I did 2 days ago and today.

I can't be sure if it fell off or got nicked. I wouldn't be surprised if it were nicked as I stay in a dodgy area but if that were the case, wouldn't they have stolen two? I did do a long journey of 200 miles a few days ago and maybe it could have fallen off then as its an old car but I don't know for sure.

What should I do? Should I report it as stolen to the police just to be on the safe side? Also does anyone know roughly how much it'll cost for a replacement plate?

ttoli

Certainly report to the Police on the off chance that someone is trying to clone a stolen car same colour/year as yours .

Strider590

98% It fell off, they're held on with double sided foam tape, which doesn't really like cold weather. I once parked in front of a car where this had happened over night, plate on the floor, when I got back after work the owner had smashed my boot with a large heavy object in the assumption i'd hit their car.

motorguy

1234catlady wrote: »

Today I noticed that my front license plate wasn't there. It was definitely there two days ago when I last look at my car front on and can't be sure if it was there yesterday as I got into my car front the side rather than walk straight up it like I did 2 days ago and today.

I can't be sure if it fell off or got nicked. I wouldn't be surprised if it were nicked as I stay in a dodgy area but if that were the case, wouldn't they have stolen two? I did do a long journey of 200 miles a few days ago and maybe it could have fallen off then as its an old car but I don't know for sure.

What should I do? Should I report it as stolen to the police just to be on the safe side? Also does anyone know roughly how much it'll cost for a replacement plate?

This is well known scam.

They take your front plate, then a couple of nights later they come back and take your back plate. Then a couple of nights later its a wheel trim, then before you know it you've only got a shell left.

The rouse is that they prey on people who generally dont notice until its too late and their car is all but gone.:eek:



On a more serious note, chances are its dropped off. You can get one on ebay for £6 or so delivered.

pappa_golf

SOME car number plates are fastened on with double sided tape HOWEVER the majority of cars have plates fastened with plastic nuts/bolts , go to a local motor factors/car shop and get a new plate made up


take your v5 and driving licence for ID

bigjl

Strider590 wrote: »

98% It fell off, they're held on with double sided foam tape, which doesn't really like cold weather. I once parked in front of a car where this had happened over night, plate on the floor, when I got back after work the owner had smashed my boot with a large heavy object in the assumption i'd hit their car.

I think what you meant was some are fitted with double sided foam tape. And you assumed the other driver smashed your car? Or did you witness it?

I have personally not owned a car that I can remember that had a number plate attached with foam tape, always screwed properly.

A front number plate going missing would be a prime candidate for being used by the criminally minded to goo speed cameras or ANPR cameras as the permanently fixed ones are often positioned to get a picture of the front of the car, maybe because they can see the drivers aswell, who knows. The caveat with that is the new section on average speed limit on the A13 near Lakeside takes pictures from the rear, but I suspect that is due to the number of motorcycle commuters that are on that section of road travelling at excessive speed and not having a front plate means no speedinf fine.

Some of the local boy racers have taken to removing their front plate and leaving it on the dashboard as if it had just fallen off this second, though when on the A13 nearer London (cameras face the front of the car) they can remove it and do whatever speed they want in the average speed section.

Definite vote for informing Police, once you have it recorded if anything does happen you have a defence.

1234catlady

I've lost my logbook and I need that to go and get a new plate made. I'll need to call up DVLA tomorrow and get it seen to. Is it illegal to drive with only the back license plate on? Reading conflicting things about it online

TadleyBaggie

1234catlady wrote: »

Is it illegal to drive with only the back license plate on? Reading conflicting things about it online

Of course it's illegal! It would mean any front facing speed/ANPR camera would not get a reading. If it was legal we'd all be removing the front plate.

1234catlady

TadleyBaggie wrote: »

Of course it's illegal! It would mean any front facing speed/ANPR camera would not get a reading. If it was legal we'd all be removing the front plate.

No need for attitude or sarkiness

worried_jim

1234catlady wrote: »

No need for attitude or sarkiness

Seems perfectly reasonable to me, if they weren't a legal requirement why do all cars have them in the UK?

paddedjohn

What's a licence plate?? We aren't living in the States.