Registration Plates
PLEASE NOTE...THIS INFO DATES BACK TO 1998
CURRENT INFO SHOWN AT BOTTOM OF PAGE
The Uk Legal Reference for Car Reg. Plates is:-
Regulation 17 and Schedule 2, Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1971
Main points of interest to Roadster owners :-
"The mark must conform with either one of two groups of provisions - the second group is given in brackets here. Characters 3.5 inches (3.125 inches) high, 2.5 inches (2.25 inches) wide, with a stroke width of 0.625 inches (0.5625 inches). Top and bottom margins must be at least 0.5 inches (0.4375 inches). Side margins must be at least 1 inch (0.4375 inches). The space between the nearest parts of each letter or figure must be 0.5 inches (0.4375 inches). The space between the group of letters and group of figures must be 1.5 inches (1.3125 inches). If the plate displays the marks in two separate rows, then the space between the upper and lower lines must be 0.75 inches (0.75 inches)".
Also:-
1. All numbers and letters must be black.
2. (Rear Plate) Backing must be of a yellow reflex reflecting material which must be legibly and permanently marked with the figure ‘B.S.AU 145a’ to show that the reflex material complies with British Standard specifications.
** Beware of cutting your plate smaller because you may remove the ‘B.S.AU 145a’ mark, thus rendering the plate illegal.
3. The plate must be kept clean, in good condition, and positioned in a vertical position** so that the figures are easily distinguishable from the rear (up to 75ft away)
** STICK ON FRONT PLATES DUBIOUS..!!
Above pic shows Roadster rear plate with full size UK numerals
This pic shows a smaller plate with motorcycle-size numerals
Technically, both are illegal.....however, the one with larger numerals is easier to read at a distance..!!
The number of laws governing Number
Plates has increased of the last few years. Here are some of the main
rules which apply
Post- January 1973
Number Plate characters can be either 89mm by 64mm or
79mm by 57mm gaps between characters must be 13mm for the taller
characters and 11mm for the shorter. The gap between the two "parts" of
the number plate must be 38mm ( 89mm tall characters) and 33mm for the
shorter ones. No definitive font is given but styled characters ( for
example italics) are forbidden. Note these regulations govern number
plates FITTED after Jan 1973 but before September 2001, they do not
relate to the year of the car.
Post September 2001
Characters must be 79mm high and 50mm wide with a
stroke of 14mm.Inter-character gap is 11mm and the space between the
two parts of the registration number is 33mm.The only font allowed is
based on the "Charles Wright" font
It has never been legal to use screws etc to alter the appearance of the characters on the plate and the only other option when buying them is the EU emblem with a national flag e.g. Saltire.
To make all this enforceable every number plate suppliers must be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and must show his name and post code on each number plate he supplies.
In addition you must supply proof of I.D.when buying plates ( preferrably a photocard driving licence ) and also proof that the number is yours( V5 registration document ( log book) , V750 (pink) or V778 (green) certificate for the registration number, V11 vehicle licence renewal, or V948).
The supplier must keep records of all the above and make them available to the police if requested.
Further detailed regulations and examples are shown
HERE