Front Shortened number plate

[Joe Hryszko]

Hi guys,

Looking at buying one of these, but can someone clear up whether they are illegal or not? And if they are, has anyone had any issues with the law and their number plate...

Thanks chaps,
Joe

 

[Jack!]

Yes they are illegal, some people have had problems others not. Hopefully that saves 50 posts of "never been stopped" "the 5-0 raped me" etc.

 

[Joe Hryszko]

Thank you for that mate, heard a fair few different stories about how legal/illegal they are...

 

[CJM]

They are illegal as said. But if you get them with the legal font and spaceing you arnt likely to attract much attention.
I ran one on my 306 (smaller than the clio ones) for around 8 months and never had any issues, although having a private reg may have helped due to being a shorter plate.

Size comparison

Fitted

 

[Willo40]

I think its like everything else, drive round like a c**k and it will just give them an excuse to stop you, I used to have a small plate on my bike, had it for years, been followed loads of times, and never stopped, If your behaving I think they generally give you the benefit of the doubt....

 

[JCC]

Depends how much smaller you go. There is no legal size for a number plate, as long as the letters are the correct size, font and spacing, it has the correct border around the letter and has all the BSAU markings then it's legal. Like mine, although they're only shortened length wise:

 

[CrippsCorner]

Never been pulled for them and one way or another I've been running illegal plates for the best part of 5-6 years. However, for the first time ever they failed my MOT because of them last time all I did was stick the old one back on with some Velcro and took them off when I got home again... just a heads up.

 

[Jack!]

As the impartial CS, in the name of balance:
http://www.cliosport.net/threads/pulled-over-for-my-3-4-plate.686788/#post-9386495
http://www.cliosport.net/threads/pulled-for-numberplate.492032/#post-6497254
http://www.cliosport.net/threads/just-been-busted-for-my-small-number-plate.470466/#post-6157474
http://www.cliosport.net/threads/stopped-for-3-4-front-plate.678427/#post-9264274

And many many more.

 

[dann2707]

Joe when I pulled over in Harrogate to help that man who had crashed his car I had two coppers at the front of my car and they didn't even notice it what so ever. But it was dark haha

I'd say you'd be fine. Driven past loads of police and nothing has been done about it mate.

 

[mokeyat]

I want a small illegal number plate. Where do I get one? Links are appreciated if they're not stupidly expensive. Thanks Clio friends!

 

[ilovewilly]

Smaller plates are legal providing you retain the minimum spacing around the characters and don't make the characters smaller.

My 205 here is a legal example:

 

[LeeRS]

3/4 plate on front. Real size one in the boot. Oops forgot to change it back after show. Wont happen again sorry.xxx

 

[Jack!]

I am fairly sure I've seen a picture that demonstrates why a 3/4 plate is illegal - yes you can retain the same font and font size, but if you do so on a 3/4 plate, you leave very little border around the characters, hence making it illegal.

 

[LeeRS]

your unlucky if you get pulled over for it, lets be honest..
police have got to see you from the front, turn around and then catch back up with you to pull you over.
ita your choice, risk it or don't. I havnt been pulled for mine..... Yet.

 

[dann2707]

3/4 plate on front. Real size one in the boot. Oops forgot to change it back after show. Wont happen again sorry.xxx

What happens when he asks you what show you've been to and he's a massive car fan?

When I was pulled a while back at 3am they asked who'd I'd been seeing at a gig. Probably to catch me out if I was to stutter so they knew I was up to something!