Mercedes Plate Surrounds Fitted Today!

[Flash]

Abbos - Very nice indeed - the surround looks great and I like ur German style plates - only down side is you may possibly get unwanted attention from the boys on blue.

Flash

 

[Mambo]

Is it just me that cant see the pics?

 

[Shude]

Is it just me that cant see the pics?

The pics *were* available. Now they're gone for some reason...

 

[pluggers]

I can still see them.

 

[Shude]

Bandwidth exceeded.

I can still see them.

They are in your cache.

 

[Plodd]

The plates are perfectly readable and are standard in many other European countries (who also have speed cameras etc!). If they contain the correct details and have the correct flag on them I don't really see why anyone should be stopped for using them. They are very difficult to tamper with, the lettering is stamped into metal so no typeface-tricks will work and they will probably last longer than their multilayered-plastic counterparts.

I think the major problem with the plates is I don't thnk they are reflective. And correct flag for who? A German!!!!!!

 

[abbos]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

Shude: My original plastic plates that I had before the metal ones also do fit the frames mate.

They slide in, or if not you can bend the plastic slightly to tuck the end in, which is what I did with the metal plates.

For those of you who had problems seeing the images, I have re-uploaded them to a new host without any bandwidth restrcitions!

Does anyone know where I can find out about the law on number plates? I really would like to find out what is wrong with them and the possible reasons for me being stopped. Simply out of interest.

 

[Satch]

I think it may be optional, just as with the Euro stars, as it is only a "convention" between EU member states. A "GB" marking would only be required if you were outside the UK. As long as the plate otherwise meets the typeface regulations, so what?

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/regmarks/reg_marks_current_requirements.htm#europlate

Go on, knock yourselves out:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_roads/documents/page/dft_roads_506850-02.hcsp

"The new regulations permit the optional display of the Euro-symbol adjacent to the registration mark on the left-hand side of number plates. The symbol is a circle of 12 stars on a blue background showing the Member State's national identification letters below. For this purpose, the UK's national identification letters are "GB". Although not part of the new regulations, the opportunity was also taken to consider adopting the letters "UK" in place of "GB" for UK registered vehicles used abroad. The consultation indicated limited support for changing to "UK". As "GB" is well known as our national identifier, both here and abroad, it was decided on balance to retain the existing "GB" letters. Vehicles with plates incorporating the Euro-symbol will not require a separate "GB" sticker when driven within the EU. As a consequence of allowing the optional display of the Euro-symbol, a minor amendment has been made to the lighting regulations to allow the use of retro-reflective blue material on such plates. This is provided for in the Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations 2001"

 

[Howard]

I would say that Plodd is probably eminently qualified to answer your questions regarding the law on number plates .....

 

[Shude]

I think the major problem with the plates is I don't thnk they are reflective.

Light reflects off them, that's how it is that we can see them. How reflective do they need to be? I don't understand.

And correct flag for who? A German!!!!!!

They can be made with whichever flag you want.

 

[Howard]

Light reflects off them, that's how it is that we can see them. How reflective do they need to be? I don't understand.

They can be made with whichever flag you want.

Yes, your eyes work by gathering light reflected off of things, but i think the number plates are meant to be very reflective....

You know if you take a photo of a car at dusk and the camera flashes, when the photo is developed the number plate looks like it has a 1000w spotlight on it while everything else is quite dull...... i think thats how reflective they have to be .

 

[anarchy-inc]

You will also find the numbers must also be of a standard font;

"The British Standard also requires that a number plate must be marked with the following information: -

* The British Standard Number (currently BS AU 145d)"

As cool as those German style plates look, I think you'll find them illegal. How many cops will stop you for it is another story.

 

[Flyer]

As cool as those German style plates look, I think you'll find them illegal. How many cops will stop you for it is another story.

I think you'll find more and more taking an interest. The way ANPR and cash collectors, sorry speed cameras, work is they need a standardised plate format to work effectively. I'd expect BiB have already received a missive from the Home Office instructing them to take more of an interest in non-standard plates. If you have a private plate, it becomes more of an issue as the DVLA can withdraw your plate from use

My plates are from fancyplates.com and are illegal ... as they don't have the name and postcode of the plate manufacturers printed on them, but can't say I'm too worried about that one

 

[kikkthecat]

My plates are from fancyplates.com and are illegal ... as they don't have the name and postcode of the plate manufacturers printed on them, but can't say I'm too worried about that one

I wouldn't worry at all, it's not an MOT failure. I was looking to buy a private plate recently and went along to my local garage where I always have my MOT's done and looked at the regulations. I asked about the plate I was thinking of buying and was told that it wouldn't matter about a flag or any writing on the bottom or the postcode missing but if I spaced the number the way I wanted it would fail the test.
There are different regs for cars registered before and after September 2001 but both have to conform to British Standards, ie. the letters and numbers have to conform to a certain standard and be clearly legible without any obvious alterations. I wouldn't make a judgement on the german style number plates, but the man who does the MOT just might.

 

[abbos]

Just to let everyone know that about 2 weeks ago I took my car to my local MOT place and it went straight through without any problems!

Even after it had passed, I asked the chap whether the plates were ok and he said that they were fine.

 

[anarchy-inc]

Just to let everyone know that about 2 weeks ago I took my car to my local MOT place and it went straight through without any problems!

Even after it had passed, I asked the chap whether the plates were ok and he said that they were fine.

All I can say is good luck. Don't even think about taking the car to Germany with those plates, or anywhere else on mainland Europe for that matter. You will most certainly get stopped.

Many years ago I drove across the Luxembourg - Germany border with my W116 and I was stopped. Why? Because I had USA plates (American Forces in Europe) like this one;

with an oval country sticker from Luxembourg on the back. The border guard was clearly not amused. He said that it was not legal for me to have this sticker as I was clearly American. I explained my family history (I have roots in Luxembourg) and hence why I had the L sticker. Only after I was able to speak a few words in Luxembourgish (yes it's a real language ) did he see fit to send me on my way.

You could say the guy was just picking on Americans but at the heart of it, Europeans take the whole numberplate and country stickers thing quite a lot more seriously than they do here. In some countries in Europe, it is a legal requirement to have either the oval sticker with GB (and only GB, not UK or ENG or SCO etc etc) or the blue euro flag with GB.

I should add though, that I think your plates are very cool.

 

[Plodd]

Just to let everyone know that about 2 weeks ago I took my car to my local MOT place and it went straight through without any problems!

Even after it had passed, I asked the chap whether the plates were ok and he said that they were fine.

I hope he doesn't get a visit from VOSA as losing his licence to perform tests could cost him a lot of money. Seriously your car should not have passed with those plates on and your tester is an idiot. A bit strong maybe but would he be so lax if your brakes weren't quite up to scatch or your shockers leaking. For some people an 'MOT test' is the only time their car gets checked and this man does not do the test properly. IMHO

 

[fuzzer]

i quite fancy a pair for the uberwagon.

I don't see how they are illegal in any way what so ever ....

They are the correct colour , they are reflective and they are of a legable font.

Whats the problem ?

Im sick to the back teeth of the crappy acrylic plates we are forced upon in this country. They are crap.

Does anyone else get mad about the water ingress into them in no time at all ?

 

[anarchy-inc]

i quite fancy a pair for the uberwagon.

I don't see how they are illegal in any way what so ever ....

They are the correct colour , they are reflective and they are of a legable font.

Whats the problem ?

I hate to play devil's advocate here, but yes they are the right color and reflective but the font is wrong and in this case the country is wrong. (D instead of GB)

Im sick to the back teeth of the crappy acrylic plates we are forced upon in this country. They are crap.

Does anyone else get mad about the water ingress into them in no time at all ?

I totally agree, I much prefer the pressed plates like in the US, Germany or most other European countries.