Is a front registration plate mandatory??

[mcbutler]

Hi All,

I have recently noticed a few cars in my area happily zipping around with no front number plates!
I am guessing that as a motorcycle has no front plate then it cannot be mandatory for a car surely?

Any legally educated boffins know the answer to this one??

 

[bmwaddict]

It is a legal requirement in the u.k. and has to be on the outside of the car, not legal in the windscreen etc. Different rules to motorcycles.

 

[bob4333]

Sunday morning trivia alert

IIRC the requirement for a bike to have one went out when someone twigged that the old vertical number plate attached to the front mudguard had the same action as a bacon slicer when involved in an accident.

DVLA say:-

Motorcycles and motor tricycles registered on or after 1 September 2001 must only display a number plate at the rear of the vehicle.

If you ride a motorbike or motor tricycle registered before 1 September 2001 you can also display a number plate at the front, but you don’t have to.

So if your bike is pre Sep 2001 it's OK to slice someone up. Newer than Sep 2001 and you mustn't do it!

 

[Taz]

Was it not cheaper to be fined for not having number plate than being caught by a speed camera?

 

[Maniac]

Hi All,

I have recently noticed a few cars in my area happily zipping around with no front number plates!
I am guessing that as a motorcycle has no front plate then it cannot be mandatory for a car surely?

Any legally educated boffins know the answer to this one??

As with everything illegal, it's a level of risk.

 

[Ewazix]

I am guessing that as a motorcycle has no front plate then it cannot be mandatory for a car surely?

"....... and that your worships is my defence".

Good luck with that one :wink:

 

[MACK]

It does seem to becoming a bit of a fad, albeit an illegal one in the UK. It reminds me of all those number plates with different fonts 20 years ago. Illegal, but they seemed to be everywhere for a few years.
There's probably a few factors feeding it
1) 5 minutes on the net will tell you most cars look miles better without them and it pisses people off we have to have them in the UK when so many other countries aren't bothered.
2) People are prepared to chance it due to the lack of cops on the road, particularly traffic cops these days. Even if a copper walks past a parked car on a public road with no plate, in this day and age are they really likely to bother doing anything about it? I seriously doubt it.

 

[dhobbs]

I thought it was cheaper for the fine than if you had an incorrect number plate (i.e. wrong font, too small etc.).
The latter attracted points whereas not having one is purely a fine ( it fell off officer!)

It is a legal requirement though, but as mentioned, the risk of getting caught is low as there's not many police around and this would be more paperwork for them.

One thing for me though, is the more attention you draw the more likely you'll be pulled. But that front plate hanger on the e85/e86 is hideous.

 

[ph001]

Bearing in mind that all average speed cameras on the motorways use the front plate for recognition, I'm surprised the law is not tougher on this.

 

[mcbutler]

Bearing in mind that all average speed cameras on the motorways use the front plate for recognition, I'm surprised the law is not tougher on this.

Which again raises the question "why are motorcycles allowed on the road with no front plate?' Bit of discrimination going on..

 

[Smartbear]

Bearing in mind that all average speed cameras on the motorways use the front plate for recognition, I'm surprised the law is not tougher on this.

Which again raises the question "why are motorcycles allowed on the road with no front plate?' Bit of discrimination going on..

It's practicalities, as previously mentioned it's dangerous to have a front mounted plate on a bike so that's why they're treated differently
Rob

 

[Dav the wheel nut]

Bearing in mind that all average speed cameras on the motorways use the front plate for recognition, I'm surprised the law is not tougher on this.

Which again raises the question "why are motorcycles allowed on the road with no front plate?' Bit of discrimination going on..

Really? You'll be telling me Sikhs wearing turbans don't need to wear a crash helmet next :wink:

 

[Confused®]

I have also noticed this, as has been said no police around to stop you, if you are unlucky enough to go through a police check point its a case of a £30 fine and a Sorry officer it must have fallen off.