Undersized number plates UK

John

there are rules regarding number plates and I don't think POB222M is legal

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vehicle-registration-numbers-and-number-plates

 

https://www.tippersvintageplates.co.uk/

 

The very small front plates are most likely motor cycle plates like the 8th example down on this page John http://www.chestnut-registrations.co.uk/vintagebikeplates.aspx

 

John, I got my plates for that car from https://www.classicplatesonline.co.uk/plates.asp They will make custom sizes. It is smaller than the standard lettering but with the reduced overall size of the border it actually looks like a standard sized front plate if viewed in isolation from other cars and went through a number of MOT's without issue. I dealt with a guy called Adrian there but it was back in January 2014.

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John, I found the details for you for my green car. The front plate has 2.5” DIGITS - NO BORDER. Without the car here I'd say the overall size of the plate is something like 9.3 cm x 40.3 cm based upon the letter height/width.


I had the same size plate made up for my Rosso Dino car but had Adrian put a border on that one which increased the overall size slightly. Here is a photo so you decide which style you prefer (if any).

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I think I would make a normal sized one for MOT and a smaller sized one you think you can get away with after the MOT.

 

I would think rarely checked on an MOT they are more concerned about safety of the car i.e. steering, suspension, brakes, lighting, horn.

 

Under revised rules here there is now a 40 year rolling rule exemption from MOT's for classic cars provided that no substantial changes have been made to the vehicle in the last 30 years, - the DVLA cites replacing the chassis, body, axles or engine to change the way the vehicle works as examples of substantial changes.As a result 246's no longer require to go through the annual test. The main risk with a small front plate is a roadside stop by traffic Police.

I can attest that when the MOT was mandatory the size and legality of the front plate most certainly was checked as part of the test. There is a whole section of the test procedure devoted to it and a non-confirming plate counts as a Major which is an instant fail.
https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/class3457/Section-0-Identification-of-the-vehicle.html#section_0.1

 

It may say that in the regulations, but the garages performing MOT's are losing money on each test and so really only check the car is safe on the road, you only have to see the number of newer Ferrari's e.g. 458 onwards where virtually none of these cars have front number plates.

 

Not just traffic police but you also run the risk of identification via speed and front facing averaging cameras as well as the whole myriad of camera for traffic flow etc etc. Low risk?

I had them on my 308 (they came with the car and were fitted 12 years ago) and was caught, luckily by traffic police with a warning, the MOT station were contacted by DVLA and reprimanded, so it does happen.
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I took mine of the 328 and carry it with me.. It has two sticky pads on the back which have lost there sticky and fellow off. I was just driving the shop to buy some officer... I also think that you can show the number plate through the windscreen...

 

also popular now on any go faster Audi or VW to have plate on the dash

 

I used to like the smaller front number plates, but I have gone off them now. I now have the full sized plate in the old raised letter style. This is also the sort of plate it had when it was new.

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John, yours very likely had the raised letter reflective type when new.

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Mark

 

Looks loads better!

 

I have used https://www.tippersvintageplates.co.uk in the past for my (Fiat) Dino. They do the correct Italian size front plates, and I was very happy with their product. I have no affiliation with them but can recommend