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The character
width has been slightly reduced from 57mm to 50mm to accommodate the Euro-symbol
on the number plate.
NUMBER PLATES FITTED BEFORE 1 SEPTEMBER 2001
Number plates fitted before 1 September 2001 must display characters that meet
the dimensionsshown in one of the two groups below
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TRADITIONAL NUMBER PLATES
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- Vehicles constructed
before 1.1.73 may display traditional style "black and white" plates i.e.white,
silver or grey characters on a black plate.
- Lettering must
be of a set size. It must conform to one of the two groups below.
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There are additional
arrangements if the vehicle is a motorcycle or tricycle
- Traditional number
plates fitted to vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1973 are notrequired to
display the mandatory character font, but the characters must be easy to read.
Display of Vehicle
Registration Marks on Imported Vehicles (which have arestricted space for a standard
sized number plate)
Certain imported
vehicles may be permitted to display number plates with smaller characters if:
- The vehicle does
not have European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval
AND
- The vehicle's
construction/design cannot accomodate standard size number plates
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Specifications
for smaller sized plates (for certain imported vehicles)
MOTORCYCLES
AND TRICYCLES
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- Motorcycles and
tricycles registered after 1.9.2001 must only display a number plate at therear
of the vehicle.
- Motorcycles and
tricycles registered before 1.9.2001 can display a number plate at the frontbut
are not required to.
- Tricycles derived
from four wheeled bodies i.e. saloon cars must meet the normalrequirements for
numbers plates. Whereas tricycles derived from motorcycles must meetthe requirements
for motorcycles.
- The characters
may be smaller e.g.
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- Motorcycles registered
on or after 1 September 2001 must display a two-line numberplate number plate.
Motorcycles registered prior to the 1 September 2001 may display athree-line plate,
but one-line plates are illegal, irrespective of the date of registration ofthe
motorcycle.
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MANDATORY CHARACTER
FONT
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Since 1 September
2001 all new number plates must display the new mandatory font. Combinedwith the
new format registration mark, number plates have become clearer and easier toremember.
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Number plates
fitted before 1 September 2001 need not be changed provided the character fontused
is substantially the same as the one shown above.
Number plates must be replaced if they have been customised with:
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- Stylised letters
and/or figures such as italics
- Number plate fixing
bolts that alter the appearance of the letters and/or numbers
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THE EURO PLATE
Since 1st September 2001 there has been an optional provision for the display
of a Euro-plate forvehicles registered in the UK. The Euro-plate is a number plate
that incorporates the symbol of theEuropean Union (a circle of 12 stars on a blue
background) with the national identification letters ofthe member states below.
This symbol is located on the far left-hand side of the number plate.
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Vehicles displaying
this symbol no longer have to use the traditional oval shaped national identifier(GB)
sticker when travelling within the European Union. All vehicles registered in
England,Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have, by international convention,
the distinguishing sign GB.
The Government announced on 28 December 2001 the intention to permit the display
of nationalflags and symbols on vehicle number plates. When the regulations are
amended they will providefor the voluntary display of the Union flag, Scottish
Saltire, Cross of St George and Red Dragon.Football team crests etc are not allowed.
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THE LAW
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| The law states
that, |
- You must not alter,
rearrange or misrepresent the letters or numbers
- Characters must
not be moved from one group to the other (e.g. A242 ABC must not bedisplayed as
A242A BC).
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Offences may result
in any or all of the following:
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- A fine of up to
£1,000
- The registration
mark may be WITHDRAWN
- The vehicle may
FAIL the MOT test
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Full details of
the requirements are included in The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks)Regulations
2001
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THE BRITISH
STANDARD
The British Standard sets out the physical characteristics on the number plate.
This includes:
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- Visibility
- Strength
- Reflectivity
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The British Standard
also requires that a number plate must be marked with the followinginformation:
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- The British Standard
Number (currently BS AU 145d)
- The name, trade
mark, or other means of identification of the manufacturer or componentsupplier.
(The company who actually make the number plate.)
- The name and postcode
of the supplying outlet. (The 'supplying outlet' is taken to mean acompany whose
business consists wholly or partly of selling number plates.)
- A non-reflective
border and the Euro-symbol with the national identification letters areoptional
additions.
- There shall be
no other markings or material contained on the number plate.
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| Further information
about the British Standards requirements can be obtained at http://www.bsi-global.com/. |
