Number plates, location and number

[olberj]

I have my own personal plate that I've just assigned to the Rocket.

The rear will be fine but the front currently is a square 2 row job stuck to the bonnet. It may cause issue for mot on the front like that and i want to go back to a single row anyways.

Post mot, how many of you run without a front plate or have a smaller plate fitted vertically?

Last thing i want is rad air flow obstruction so will be there for mot only.

[martinw]

I have a small plate fitted vertically on my Sonic - and it is a single row. I just take the full size plate with me to MOTs - the guys are happy that the plate is on for the MOT and that I have replaced it before leaving the premises (to avoid any issues should I be stopped immediately after or should VOSA inspectors carry out a spot check on my specific test).

I know placement issues are slightly different on Rockets, but the basic principles are the same regarding driving around with what is fundamentally an illegal plate.

Martin

[Stiggy]

My understanding is that as kit cars are not type approved then we come under the same rule as for imported vehicles if provision for a full size plate is not provided in the design. Therefore we can use motorcycle size front plates. Below is text from DVSA although specifically ref to an American car import.

The Road Vehicles ( Display of Registration Marks) (Amendment) regulations 2002 SI no. 2687 came into force in November 2002.

These amendment regulations introduce a new regulation 14A, making special provision in relation to the size and spacing of characters in the registration number of some imported vehicles. These regulations also include the display of motorcycle sizes number plates on imported vehicles. The provision only applies to vehicles imported into the UK which do not have European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval, and are so constructed, that the area available for the fixing of the registration plate precludes the display on the plate of a registration number in conformity with the requirements of regulation 14.

Also contained is an amendment to regulation 3, to prohibit the use of a number plate on which the background is patterned or textured, or gives that appearance.

Where a vehicle has been allocated a UK registration number, the number plate must comply with the specification and standards laid out in the Road Vehicles ( Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001, as amended. Certain imported vehicles may be permitted to display numberplates with smaller characters if the vehicle does not have European Community Vehicle Type Approval and the vehicle's construction/design cannot accommodate standard size numberplates.

The dimensions for the smaller sized plate are:

• each character in the registration number must be 64mm high
the width of each character of the number, other than the letter 'I' and the figure '1' must be 44mm

[olberj]

It was more the angle of the reg plate. I understand it's supposed to be vertical or as close to as possible.

[mawdo81]

As close as possible given the design of the vehicle.

[olberj]

Thanks folks.

[carlyd]

Apr 1, 2017 9:34:06 GMT Stiggy said:

My understanding is that as kit cars are not type approved then we come under the same rule as for imported vehicles if provision for a full size plate is not provided in the design. Therefore we can use motorcycle size front plates. 

Motorcycles don't have front number plates do they?

This is mine, you can see it right at the bottom. I've never been caught... er I mean stopped by police 

[Stiggy]

Just to be clear we are allowed motor cycle size letters on plates.... on the front of our cars.

If you choose a non legal plate then why bother having one at all?

The usual excuse that could get you off is to magically reveal one form behind the seat that "just fell off officer". Failing that an officer may invite you to have an MOT at which point a non legal plate will fail.

[carlyd]

Does anyone have a photo of their Rocket with a legal front number plate on?
I also purchase a legal sized stick on front number plate that would fit on one of the front wings but I didn't think it was visible enough as the top of it went over the curve of the wing.
Other than that I can't think where you would put one?

[jake]

On the front of my rocket I have a full size (not square) stick on plate. It's just below the bonnet grill at the widest point before it starts to narrow again. See my profile picture. The number plate was a bit too wide so I trimmed the sides a bit so it fitted nicely. All that's important is the letter size and the spacing are correct so if there's excess at the edges to the letters I don't see why you can't remove it whilst still leaving an even border.
I've just done the same with a rear plate which is a square full size plate. (No engine cover) I've carefully taken 15mm off each side with a jigsaw and then sanded smooth again. It's still big but looks a little bit better .
The way I see it the average police officer won't know what's right or wrong with regards to the way a kit car is built i.e. Iva but they will know if they think your number plates too small. The next thing they're having a good look round it maybe looking for other things......" should this have a cat ? etc.....then you're off to the local MOT station with a producer.
My view is try not to give them an excuse to pull you over and potentially find other things. I suppose you might just get pulled over because they're a car enthusiast and just interested in the car but that wouldn't be so bad.