Why do the police not take action over non standard number plates?

Question

The kind in a funny typeface so you can hardly read them

Answer 1

They actually do. I have a friend who has a Ford Focus and had a number plate that had a different font that looked unreadable from a distance and she was stopped by the police and advised to remove it and change it to a standard registration plate or face a fine and penalty points on her licence.

Answer 2

It's a great pity that number plates aren't issued by the Vehicle Licencing Authority as they are in America. If they were there would be none of this petty look-at-me-aren't-I-a-pratt fudging-around with characters and fonts by those who can't afford a "proper" personalised number plate! In many American states you are only required to have the official-issued registration plate on the rear of the car ... you can have what you like on the front provided it's something respectable. If you want all the country to know that you're an egoistic pratt then displaying that on your front plate would probably be legal!

Answer 3

Well its becuase the laws and stuff they have don't have the right component and it would depend on what force it is what area its in and directly if the commision and sanction a new law about all this which they may not do directly with relevance to address the issues.

Also it depends on the nature of the force and how they percieve whats a criminal offence and what could be concieved as an actional arrest, issue to drivers that are driving about in non standard number plates, but also aswell they could result in a arrest deemed under the nature of the offense carried out..

Answer 4

They do but only on motorcycles and only by motorcycle police.It would seem there are not enough traffic police in cars to bother with the offending car drivers and the DVLA make so much money selling the plates the government don't want to make them enforce the law. Why should they when the revenue is so good from speed cameras who needs police?

Answer 5

Most people write to the DVLA and complain about this the offender then gets a letter warning them about the correct font to be used, if they do not change the No plate to the correct font, then the plate gets taken off them, if it is a private one, as all plates including private ones, are owned by the secretary of state!

Answer 6

Because they probably have them on their own private cars.Not the ones we pay for. IE PLO D1.or 1 P LOD.Added to this they are not likely to get stopped as along with the number plates they will have their helmet in the rear window.

Answer 7

I am guessing that it is due to the time and effort required, particularly regarding paperwork, to deal effectively with this problem.

The police have finite resources at their disposal, so they have to prioritise. I think they do deal with it when they can, but if it is a choice between prosecuting someone for violent disorder, or this offence, I suppose the former gets looked at first.

Answer 8

They often do if they see them. I've seen a few cars being pulled over by police for that offence and also bikers where the plate is the wrong size xxx

Answer 9

because they have better things to do with their time than chase after people with the odd space here and letter moved there. As long as you can read the plate, does it really matter? The maximum punishment is £1000 and that is rarely given, so no one is really that bothered. My plate is quality, I have spaced it out and moved two letters together!

Answer 10

Unless pulled over for something else its not as important as many other offences. If your motorway driving you do have a higher risk of being pulled over for them though