Collecting an import car from Southampton docks

[Mactech]

I've driven thousands of miles on trade plates!
They have two uses. Moving vehicles around in the trade and road testing prototype vehicles.
I can confirm that 'Red on white, stop on sight' appears to be true as I think the only times I have been stopped by police has been on trade plates.
All the 'pulls' were always friendly affairs as the cops were just nosey to know what it was! "We've phoned through the number, we know it's a "******" but we didn't think we'd see one again....do you mind if we have a sit?"

 

[ph47mf]

Within the trade, the phrase 'Red on white, stop on sight' has another meaning - when car delivery drivers see someone holding their plates out, stop and ask where they're heading and help when possible.

 

[artyman]

Many years ago there also used to be white on red trade plates as well, and my father who was in the police, said there was also a saying white on red go ahead, but the converse were usually breaking regulation or other hence I think that was how the term arose.

 

[kamalcars]

Many of us face difficulty when import cars from another country especially when they buy a used Japanese car. Here is a blog for importing cars from Japan that might help everyone living in the UK. It covers every topic regarding car import from Japan to the UK that you should know.