What is the law regarding the height and legibility of vehicle number plate lettering?

Question

I remember it used to be: at least 4 inches tall and clearly legible. I saw a recent copy of the Highway Code and there is now no regulation. Was this removed from the Code because the Government is making millions in tax on the craze for personalised number plates?

This is in the UK.

Answer 1

The regulations still exist. You have to remember that the highway code is a laypersons guide to the law, not an comprehensive guide.

Here is the actual statutory instrument concerning licence plates;

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si2001/20010561.htm#19

It is now an offence for persons supplying number plates to supply a plate which is illegal & they can be prosecuted for it. Therefore motor traders need to be aware of the legislation, the rest of us don't hence why it's no longer included in the highway code.

I don't think your theory about tax revenue has much to do with it, illegal plates make it harder to detect illegal vehicles on ANPR cameras, & speeders on SPECS cameras & so on, these would create as much if not more revenue than the tax generated by cherished number plate sales.

Answer 2

in the copy of the highway code there may not have been a regulatory size but if you read a different part of it then the sight test will still be the same as it always has been (however many car lengths it is) so therefore i can't imagine that the law has changed. the other reason being the fact that with the fancy writing the police aren't always able to clearly read your plate if neccessary.

Answer 3

good question, i think of you're very top once you're saying that the media no longer at present glorifies the fleeing suspect. those chases creates great television and the media flourishes on "genuine-lifestyles" police interest, why do you think of law enforcement officers has enjoyed plenty success by using the years? the fact of that's that many departments have distinctive regulations while it is composed of pastimes. oftentimes, branch are turning far off from severe-velocity pastimes because of the fact they'd doubtlessly create exponential quantities of risk. The police have (nicely for the main area) had a tarnished image because of the fact of specific activities that supply the police occupation a black eye. One incident can supply each officer a foul image because of the fact human beings generalize the police. One undesirable cop skill all undesirable law enforcement officers, agree? yet attending on your sentencing. Prosectution is mushy on pursuit suspects because of the fact the pursuit itself probable didnt reason any death or harm, yet I do have faith that on a similar time as maximum incidents do no longer contain this, the aptitude is definetely there and is extremely severe. Its like reckless endagerment, on a similar time as the reason isn't there, the possibility is. Fleeing the police is a criminal (atleast in my state) and individuals who flee would desire to be prosecuted to the fullest quantity because of the fact they are certainly working from the regulation. I consider many departments interior the way they are changing their regulations because of the fact i've got not got faith pastimes are nicely worth are fee/risk effectual. a guy or woman with an expired tag isn't risky till you're chasing him at one hundred mph. i'm hoping this answer form of helps. Its an exciting subject remember.

Answer 4

Car number plates in the UK should only ever be standard issue.

I know at least two people who have been fined for having stylised plates, one fine exceeded £2000.

Therer is no law on producing such plates, but a reputable motor shop will as a minimum question as to what your going to do with them, they should warn you of what could happen if you put them on your car for use as a number plate.

The back number plate is technically more important than the front, as this one is more often the one that is used in recognition technology, speed cameras etc.

Answer 5

well there is regulation on plates.. e.g. when u go to the shop u have to prove u own the car etc.

people who make up new plates are licensed..

but yep u can get pulled if say u have plates that aren't spaced correctly..e.g... 1 3 .. becoming B etc..

due to the way its dealt with now, in time all the older number plates will go out. it's a seperate issue, now that u have to prove u are the owner and the people making number plates are liable for the spacing etc.

Answer 6

These are the current regulations:

Number plates fitted AFTER 1st Sept 2001, must display characters that meet the dimensions shown below.

Numbers and letters:
Height - 79mm
Width (except for the figure 1) - 50mm
Stroke - 14mm
Space between characters - 11mm
Space between groups - 33mm
Top, bottom and side margins (minimum) - 11mm
Space between vertical lines - 19mm

(The character width has been slightly reduced from 57mm to 50mm to accommodate the Euro-symbol on the number plate.)


Number plates fitted BEFORE 1st September 2001, must display characters that meet the dimensions shown in one of the two groups below.

Numbers and letters:
Height (Group 1) - 89mm
Height (Group 2) - 79mm
Width (Group 1, except for the figure 1) - 64mm
Width (Group 2, except for the figure 1) - 57mm
Stroke (Group 1) - 16mm
Stroke (Group 2) - 14mm
Space between characters (Group 1) - 13mm
Space between characters (Group 2) - 11mm
Space between groups (Group 1) - 38mm
Space between groups (Group 2) - 33mm
Side margins (minimum, Group 1) - 13mm
Side margins (minimum, Group 2) - 11mm
Space between vertical lines (Group 1) - 19mm
Space between vertical lines (Group 2) - 19mm

Answer 7

Contrary to popular belief, there ARE regulations about number plates. Have a look at

http://www.plates4less.co.uk/number-plates-FAQ/FAQ-New-AboutREG3.asp

Answer 8

For what country, or if in the US, for what state?

Answer 9

?? what state ??