Show plates....?

Question

I have ordered a show plate for my husband's work van... are they illegal?? I have not changed the font of the number plate at all, just got a football badge to the left, and the background is the england flag....

Is he allowed to change these show plates for his original plates? Will he get points or a fine if he uses them??

Help!

Answer 1

They are called "Show" plates for a reason.
They are supposedly for use only at motorshows, or gatherings on private land (e.g. where people show off modified cars). They are not road legal.

You could be fined for using them, but as the Police have better things to do this is unlikely unless they have stopped you for another reason (e.g. speeding) and they decide to check your vehicle for road-worthiness.

They will also fail an MOT. See http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosacorp/repository/CONT072565.pdf

Answer 2

Hi, Show plates are exactly what they say they are...show plates. If you use them on the road you can be fined and given points. You should have been told this by the shop that made the plates for you. I know you see a lot of cars with them on but they are taking a risk because all it takes is a copper having a bad day or being told to produce more results and you are in trouble. You cannot show the flag of St George or religious symbols on plates either it can only be the EU flag with GB on it. Hope this answers your question.

Answer 3

Do you mean the background to the actual number & letter area is the flag? In that case, they're illegal, could draw the attention of the police and will fail the MoT. That's why they're called show plates, they're for use at shows etc., not on the highway.

Answer 4

If you were sold them as "show plates" then this means that the sellers know that they are not strictly legal. If you use them on the road you are not likely to get pulled just for that (unless they are outrageously wrong), but they will be an excuse to stop you if the police need one - otherwise they don't want the trouble of all the paper work - usually a warning or report to police station with documents- not a fine or points.

Answer 5

Yes they are illegal, but i think it will be only a telling off,I bought a personal no plate last year and changed the font around from the showplate company and it looks really good Its been on my merc now for nearly a year .Ive had a few policemen looking at it at traffic lights etc but they have nt said anything .after all its only a bit of fun is it not

Answer 6

The law has changed regarding number plates, if they do not comply with the law at the very least his van will fail it's MOT. Daft I know, but true.
I see loads of people with altered plates which is illegal too, they just swop them back at MOT time, then replace after.
They look good so if you live in a low tolerance police area go for it!

Answer 7

Backgrounds are illegal.
You can only have the EU logo on the left with GB underneath.

Anything else will get you a red slip from the rozzers, which means you have to fit a legal plate, and have it verified by an MOT centre who signs the slip, then you take it to the cop shop, and that's it...
Usually, no fine or points, but they can if they wanted to.

Answer 8

It depends what state and what jurisdiction you live in. Some states and jurisdictions allow for the modification of your vehicle from it's original factory specifications and design. Other states, such as the Commonwealth of Virginia, DO NOT allow hardly any modifications whatsoever to your car. As far as I know, as long as the original plate is visible, and more importantly, as long as the stickers with the dates and ID numbers are visible on the plate you should be o.k. The best thing to do is ask a traffic cop/state trooper in your local area, I know they will tell you.

Answer 9

I would call the DMV and ask them...b4 i found out the hard way.