Numberplates!

Looking through the virtual garage I've noticed that a lot of you have got very stylish small front number plates, whilst I've got the basic large import jobby.

Is it an easy job to change over to a smaller plate? A standard UK spec one would be an improvement at least....

i had the standard size bolted onto the jap number plate holder - i had a smaller one made up for a tenner and have it firmly held in place with double sided sticky tape!!

Check DVLA for rules on numerplates.

The Police will pull you over if they are wrong.

I have standard Jap size plates on my Supra, 13" x 6.5" and Standard Irish Sized numbers and letters. Cant remember what size these characters are but they are the smallest legally permitted on any UK Vehicle.

Japanese Import Vehicles are allowed "permission" to have a smaller sized plate, but only if the resess area for the plate is too small to fit a UK Number plate.

I had two relatively small number plates on my Escort Cosworth, and was stopped twice for it. £30 fine both times.

Its not worth the hassle, and the Supra looks great with a standard sized Jap plate made up to UK spec on it. Fits perfectly over the hole at the rear, as well as snugly in the bumper gap at the front on the Jap Brackets.

Michael

I had a small plate too, got pulled up at the end of the road after only a couple of months!

I got let off with just a rectification notice but won't be bothering changing back to small. not worth the aggro IMO.

Paul

Another reason I'm asking is because I'm very tempted by the FMIC group buy, but I don't want a large portion of my spangly new IC covered up by a big square number plate.

If your cars an import you can by law have a smaller plate "IF" it hinders performance of the car. So if a larger plate would reduce airflow to the intercooler then you could get away with it.

Just found the topic on another forum :

"If your car is an import you can have a smaller front plate because it could be claimed that the standard UK plate inhibits the performance of the car i.e. it blocks out a large part if the intercooler."

http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2002/20022687.htm - scroll down to the bit that starts "Size and spacing of characters: special cases"

Yes, I had a sticker VRN on the front tof the car on the nose, PC said that was fine - I guess it was because it would have blocked the intercooler (Large FMIC) had it been lower. He picked me up for my rear plate though. He said I had plenty of room to put a UK sized plate there. So I did as I was told.

Basically what I want to know is this:

If I remove the front import plate, will I have any dodgy screw holes etc to fill in before fitting a new one?

I've got no front number plate.

The worst that can happen is a £30 fine. I've had it off for nearly a year now, so even if I get pulled (which I haven't been once in the last year), the way I see it is £30 a year is a cheap mod

Bin it

Also, if you can't fit a plate because there isn't enough size in the recess you are ok too apparently

Hmmmm, I think one of those "I'm getting it fixed soon" mods could be in order

The DVLA site lists the current requirements.

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/regmarks/reg_marks_current_requirements.htm

Just noticed that the police (or the courts it must be), can issue anything upto £1000 fine for altering numberplates !! blimey!

So for any vehicle that doesn't have European type approval can have 64mm height letter size. The Supra DOES meet euro type approval (even the J-spec imports) by the way.... so you'll have to be carefull in what size you choose.

I was given a £30 fine last year and was told that the Police could impound my car if they wanted to. I was going to tell them to go and shove a number plater up their ar$£ but that wouldn't have helped I don't think!

£1000 for a dodgy small plate or £30 for no plate?

Not much of a choice

You know I'm sure that used to say "or"!!!

I'm stuffed then as only a jap plate will fit.

Can't see the problem seeing as it's the exact same as a motorbike- so whats the big deal? Surely cameras etc can still read them?