After i got stopped by the rozzers last week ive had to change my number plate and put on a rear reflector. The guy who made my plate said there is nothing about it having to have a postcode on it. The letter sizes are standard and there is 10mm of plate around the letters so ive put it back on. Does anyone who is a copper/mot tester know what the actual rules are? Cheers
mine is slightly smaller 1" off the top and bottom. it was fine in the mot as it looks standard and has a BS number along the bottom.
Tyke, info from government doc here for you: The British Standard for number plates The British Standard sets out the physical characteristics of the number plate. This includes visibility, strength and reflectivity. The British Standard also requires each number plate to be permanently and legibly marked with the following information: 1. the British Standard number (currently BS AU 145d); 2. the name, trade mark or other means of identification of the manufacturer or component supplier; and 3. the name and postcode of the supplying outlet Motorcycles and tricycles There are separate provisions for motorcycles and tricycles. This means, motorcycles registered from 1 September 2001 must only display a number plate at the rear of the vehicle. Motorcycles registered before 1 September 2001 can display a number plate at the front, but do not have to. The number plate must be a “2-line” number plate and must be displayed on all motorcycles registered on or after 1 January 1973. Tricycles derived from four-wheeled bodies, such as saloon cars and quad bikes must meet the normal requirements above. Tricycles derived from motorcycles must meet the requirements for motorcycles shown below. 1. Character height 64mm 2.Character width (except the figure 1 or letter I) 44mm 3.Character stroke 10 mm 4.Space between characters 10mm 5.Space between groups 30mm 6.Top, bottom and side margins (minimum) 11mm 7.Vertical space between groups 13mm Link to full document here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consu...n/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_067666.pdf
the postcode bit is there so that they can trace the reg number back to whoever made it in case the reg number is being used to clone a car ,as the maker of plates is supposed to see the v5 before they make them.
The postcode started making an appearance on number plates around 2001ish (change to 51 plate style i think) this normally has the company name who made it along with the postcode underneath. As said its supposed to allow the powers that be to be able to identify where the plate was made! In all seriousness why does it even matter if the plate is correct for the vehicle it's attached to!
This is my Repsol s plate first two letters and number is my postcode And rest is the bike... Does this count ? Ok size is a issue !!
It's only traffic cops with a grudge against bikers that'd be so anal. All my traffic cop mates are bikers, not to say they'd not do you over for riding like a complete tool but tickets for number plates with no postcode get a life.
I had to pay £60 towards their annual xmas party fund for wearing a 6x4 plate in Selby earlier this year. I did say that i would respect them a whole lot more if they just gave me a b*ll*cking, but out came the tape measure, digital camera and some c*ck & bull story about how they refer to leathers as body bags, so i took it for granted that they were not biker friendly. Unfortunately for what is such a petty crime, all they have done is alienated me.
Thats North Yorkshire Police for you. They can give you a VDRS (vehicle defect rectification scheme), which is a ticket to get it sorted out as any defect, but they're being twats giving out £60 tickets for something so minor. I think they're trying to eradicate bikers from NY due to the death rate this year. Not public inspiring is it though.
Relayed this story before but I got collared a couple of years ago......7 x 5 plate without postcode and a tiny football mascot in the bottom corner. £60 fine.....and I had to send a photo of the correct plate fitted on the bike to DVLC...and was warned if I got caught again my plate would be confiscated and I would be issued with a Q reg.......that's Essex constabulary for you....just my experience you understand
I've got a slightly smaller than standard one on mine. 1" down top and bottom. I got pulled a couple of months ago for a bit of a dodgy overtake and the police didn't mention anything about it.
My plate is smaller than the standard 'sail' and the numbers are only 6mm smaller than regulation size but on two lines and so far so good The plate on my old RR7 tho, well that's another story.....
I still with a full size sail of a plate, just know how much small plates annoy the police and it can make a difference between being stopped and then points etc
I was on a company 'safe' driving course yesterday which involved a chat with a traffic copper, his comment regarding number plates on bikes was he would not stop a bike for a smaller plate unless it was really taking the piss out off of the regulations but if stopped for another reason he would point out the error of the riders ways but not necessarily give a ticket for it. If, on the other hand the plate was so small it could not be read from a reasonable distance he would advise the plate be changed and ticket the rider if he spotted it again. He did, however, state that was only his stand point and not all other officers have the same view. He also commented that a legal size plate with the name of the company that made it along with the postcode would be required for a motorcycle mot test, but then added, that you don't need to have a number plate fitted to a bike for mot, so just remove it for the test, it only has to be legal if it is fitted at the time of the test. Seemed a bit odd to me. This rule does not apply to cars though.
The only issue I see with small plates. Some may disagree but just my two pence.. Example.. Your bike is nicked is rode away the ANPR cameras that are literally popping up everywhere cannot read the plate therefore it doesn't set the camera off. For the sake of 'looking good' I'd rather just use a standard size plate it's common sense!
