Personalised Number Plates

[chaos86]

Hi guys, gals and everyone who loves the Z4!
It's been a while since I last posted something, so I hope you're all still quick when it comes to answering questions...

Right, this may sound like a complete "noob" question, actually I know it is but here goes...

I've recently purchased a personalised number plate off the DVLA website (really excited as I wanted one for a long time), and I'm currently waiting for the V750 certificate to arrive in the post.
My question is where/how do I get my number plates made up and placed on my beloved Z4? Can I take the certificate and get it done at my local BMW garage? Any idea on the cost?

Thought I'd make sure I know what I'm doing before I get the certificate, that way it will safe me time phaffing around when it arrives.

Thanks guys and hope to hear from you soon


: My Baby :

 

[z4alfie]

when the authority comes from the DVLA, take it with the V5 to a registered supplier. Yes, your dealer will do them for you (they actually order them in from a supplier usually unless they have the machine on the premises) but they will charge you over the odds and take the oportunity to add thier dealer stamp. Somewhere like Serck intertruck or RV Taylor branches have the equipment and will do them while you wait.

 

[klarky]

you can go to any garage / place that makes official plates. ive just put my personal plates on my car today. when you register the plate swap they give you a certificate to present when you get your plates made. i already had some metal plates made, but will use the certificate at a local garage for some eu type plates as i intend to do a road trip soon, so will change them over.

basically once you get the paperwork you take your v5 & mot & certificate to a local dvla office who issue you with a fresh tax disc and mot. you send back your old tax disc and with the certificate they give you go to a place that does plates

cost wise basic plates are £20, depends what you want style wise.

 

[chaos86]

Cheers for the rapid reply, guys

Right, now to wait patiently for that blasted certificate from the DVLA... COME ON!!

 

[klarky]

mine didnt take long, about a week. local dvla office did the paperwork in 15 mins today whilst i waited.

 

[Taz]

you can order them on line, lots of companies out there making them

 

[Beancounter1980]

Mine took 4 weeks! stupid postal strike!

but should take a week or less really

 

[chaos86]

I ordered my plates over the weekend, so my guess would be Friday? Saturday maybe?
Luckily for me, my local DVLA office is just down the road from me... about 5 mins drive to be exact

So many other things I'd like to get done on my Z4, but for the time being this is a good starting point

 

[klarky]

you can order them on line, lots of companies out there making them

ive used this site before for 2 cars, they were quick and good quality http://www.craigsplates.com/ - i did buy show plates not legal ones though

 

[Dreamer]

Be prepared for a wait when you get to the DVLA office. I was there for an hour :x

I didnt get why until i realised its the same old story as the post office, full of out of touch fools that dont have the internet and still pay for things with buttons.

I got my plates from one of the many websites. Took about a day to show up.

 

[Taz]

you can order them on line, lots of companies out there making them

ive used this site before for 2 cars, they were quick and good quality http://www.craigsplates.com/ - i did buy show plates not legal ones though

i also have show plates, mine are illegal because of the side badge

 

[klarky]

as long as they are spaced ok you dont get too much bother from the police, ill be keeping the pucker ones in the boot just in case / for mot's.

 

[Taz]

got over 2 years to worry about MOT's hehe

 

[Rudd]

ordered mine a while ago, got it within a couple of days so i popped down my local dvla office and they transferred it over free of charge. they give you a cover sheet to allow you to get your plates made up.

got 'show' plates on mine because i dont like postcodes or company logos on them

all done in a couple of days.

 

[chaos86]

My manager's plates are illegally spaced and he hasn't been stopped yet even though it's really obvious!
Thing is he drives a Honda CRV so he doesn't really stand out... unlike the rest of us driving our Z4's lol.

 

[lacroupade]

Show plates here too but there is a VERY minor technicality that people who like to analise (is that a word?) about these things should be aware of; technically the plate MUST bear the details of the supplier so a really pedantic traffic officer COULD in theory have a pop if you pi55ed them off, but how likely is that????

So legally you cannot carry a plate that has nowt but your reg on it.....

But WTF do I care.....

 

[Rudd]

But WTF do I care.....

+1

mine has the reg with a black border and an extra space between the letters just to spread it out a little.

you have to be a special kind of dick to pull people for not having the details of the manufacturer on.

 

[Anonymous]

My manager's plates are illegally spaced and he hasn't been stopped yet even though it's really obvious!
Thing is he drives a Honda CRV so he doesn't really stand out... unlike the rest of us driving our Z4's lol.

His day will come, if he is involved in a motoring offence, I have a private plate also but mine is legal

 

[aquazi]

I also have show plates on mine - cheaper and more convenient to get made up on the net - but perfectly legal font/ size (but in carbon fibre as opposed to 3D)... i also didnt want any text on mine - just a clean plate.

Have one on various cars for many years without any trouble.... Although last year the police on the A40 were doing a bit of a clampdown on dodgy plates -size/ spacing - few friends of mine got pulled for it - they rip your plate off the car and then say your car is illegal as its plateless and then tow it away! Lucky they had corrrect plates in their car boot when it happened!

 

[Azz]

Had mine made up at Halfords, they keep most letters fonts/designs in stock. The company name and postcode is pretty small and not really visible - keeps me the right side of the law. They will pre drill the holes and fit them for you if you want though I did that bit myself!!