Risky Reg

Fixer · Post by **Fixer** » Sat 02 Oct, 2004 12:10

After buying my new No P3 TCU I planed to change it to read

P3TC U and use a black fixing in the C to make it look like E.

My friend told me to visit this site and read before doing anything.

http://www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk/plates.htm

Has anyone in the group been stopped or worse had a fine for doing similar things with number plates.

Fixer
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NorwegianBlue · Post by **NorwegianBlue** » Sat 02 Oct, 2004 12:27

There's plenty of people doing it. I have heard of people being stopped but they were forced to take the car for an MOT test and then present the certificate.

321bhp · Post by **321bhp** » Sat 02 Oct, 2004 12:54

got these from www.fancyplates.com they are based in ireland and i did not have to send any doc,s v5 etc to get them the numbers are slighty shorter and the car has just been though an mot at bmw,sometimes i think its just how much you mess about with them

Fixer · Post by **Fixer** » Sat 02 Oct, 2004 14:53

So I would imagine before the test he would replace the plates for legal ones and probably not be able to change them back without landing himself in trouble.

Nice site 321 wish Id posted first before getting my plates on order

I went to 8 shops and they all turned my down , I ended up getting them from one of are taxi driver friends

Is there anything they can’t get?

Alistair · Post by **Alistair** » Sat 02 Oct, 2004 15:13

I once had an Astra GTE with some fancy plates. The plate was clear just in like a 'digital' type style.

Plod pulled me over, read me the law, measured my plate sizes, gave me a producer and told me to change them.

They never checked but I changed them anyway.

Used to get a producer one a week in that thing

as they were always going missing, but different plod, plod a bit different

Dav · Post by **Dav** » Sat 02 Oct, 2004 16:49

Bought my plates from www.tradeplates.com but found a cheaper option on ebay if you search for BMW under cherished numbers you will find a company called THE SIGN & GRAFIX CO who will do a set with any spacing or font for £19.99 post free. The plate on my Zed is not spaced correctly but the font is legal. I have been spotted by numerous Police patrols but not stopped yet. Perhaps Rob Bruce may be able to give an opinion?
Dave L

SLX 280 · Post by **SLX 280** » Sat 02 Oct, 2004 18:31

Always used fancy plates, never been stopped yet (thats the kiss of death!!)

cheers

Scott

Fixer · Post by **Fixer** » Sat 02 Oct, 2004 18:38

Ok you’re convincing me to take the chance with the spacing but what about defacing the letters, like turning the C into E by using a black fixing screw in the center.

nero · Post by **nero** » Sat 02 Oct, 2004 18:43

I have attended a couple of Falkirk Cruises. Police were in attendance and checking number plates for spacing/style etc and for other illegal mods

To be fair the Falkirk Cruise forum organizers did warn attendees about the police prescence, so it was their own fault if they got caught

SLX 280 · Post by **SLX 280** » Sat 02 Oct, 2004 18:56

If you do get pulled, assuming you have not done anything daft before hand? then I would think you would have to maybe get a producer and prove you get some normal plates made up??

alternatively, get a cheap 'normal' set and leave them in the boot....if you get stopped just say ooops I haven't changed them just back from a show....??

think the PC would have to be a real saddo to give you points etc... as long as the text is 'fairly'normal, I spot some script plates that you can hardly make out...now thats a different story I guess?

mums plate....never stopped.

cheers

Scott

G17RDY · Post by **G17RDY** » Sat 02 Oct, 2004 20:39

ON my previous car, i had slightly modified my plate, to make the 1 and 7 look more like an O, and never got stopped, i also attended a fair few cruises, but the mod was so slight with standard font it wasnt easy to spot.

But when i bought the Zed, i just had the standard plates put on, and it looked alright, but ive been meaning to modify this plate slightly as well.

I got mine from www.gbplates.co.uk

Fixer · Post by **Fixer** » Sat 02 Oct, 2004 20:54

Well lets see how long I can go without a pull.

Trying to send a image hope it works.

Zedster · Post by **Zedster** » Sat 02 Oct, 2004 22:55

I had this car and plate for over a year with no problems at all.
The chap i sold it to got pulled a week after buying it and got a £30 fine and 3 points.
He lives about 3 miles from me, so i spose i was lucky and he was unlucky.

Fixer · Post by **Fixer** » Sun 03 Oct, 2004 00:24

Only had this car 2 weeks myself hope I’m not as unlucky, but it was a TVR after all I had a TVR Vixen years ago and every time I went out in it I seemed to get pulled.

Dav · Post by **Dav** » Sun 03 Oct, 2004 10:14

Zedster I can see why he got pulled but I don't understand how he got three points on his licence as I believe registration offences such as this are non endorseable?
Dave L

Zedster · Post by **Zedster** » Sun 03 Oct, 2004 11:21

I believe it was a fixed penalty £30 + 3 points.

BostonGreenZ3 · Post by **BostonGreenZ3** » Sun 03 Oct, 2004 11:49

Hey Zedster

I used to drive a 350i

What did you think of it - Very very fast but soooooo loud - I'm sure I must have woken the neighbours up when I came home late in it

Zedster · Post by **Zedster** » Sun 03 Oct, 2004 12:33

Nice car. You like dark green then

or is it blue

I loved it especially waking the neighbours

The kit car build quality and fibre glass body used to scare me sometimes though

So i sold it and got a C4 corvette instead, with 4 straight through racing pipes attatched to a 5.7 V8 (now thats loud)

Still scarey at times with no Tc (definatly dry use only)

Only one problem...........................I cannot get my wife out of it

BostonGreenZ3 · Post by **BostonGreenZ3** » Sun 03 Oct, 2004 15:05

Hey

It was blue

and yeah the build quality was a bit suspect

& the roof leaked like a sieve too

It used to scare me driving it in the rain - back end all over the place

My god, a 5.7 V8 - now that would drown out the 350i

as for your wife - you go girl

Gucci · Post by **Gucci** » Sun 03 Oct, 2004 21:33

Ok, I'm going to wander into this one arms held high asking... what's the point? The private registrations like M3 POW etc are pretty cool when the numbers are where they should be. But a 'pretend' plate looks naff. It's a bit like putting an M badge on a 318i.

If the car looks great, the reg means zilch!

Alfie · Post by **Alfie** » Mon 04 Oct, 2004 08:58

Hi All

If you want to know what is legal and what isn't, just check out the DVLA website. The rules are very precise and definite, right down to exact spacing of characters and groups. Then it's up to you how much you choose to bend those rules.

I got my new plates from fancyplates.com who provide same or next day dispatch.
Thanks to TonyCal's advice, I ordered two sets, one completely legal for MOT and if I get stopped, and one not-quite-so-legal set for 'shows'.
Total bill just over £50.

On the 'show set' I decided to go for standard UK font, so the plates don't immediately grab attention, and my personal registration number was partly chosen so standard spacing would work.
I got a coloured border round the plate, and (like 321) got a personal note at the bottom, both of which would be a bit 'cheeky' if I were to wear these plates on the road.

I reckon that so long as the number is readable and obvious, then most plod would either not notice or just give you a verbal.
Obscure fonts, excessive changes to spacing and adding 'fixings' to change the letters are gonna attract unwanted attention pretty quick.

And if you were witness to a hit and run, you'd probably agree with that!

Cheers!
A.

Zedster · Post by **Zedster** » Wed 06 Oct, 2004 15:21

I have just aquired a number plate business and will make a pair of plates for any user on here for £20 inc packing and post (U.K only) No V.A.T

I have not seen the software yet but as far as i am aware anything that www.fancyplates.com can do including mis-spacing and unlimited fonts for £32.83 i will do for £20.

I will post more info when i get it in a couple of weeks time

M11 POW · Post by **M11 POW** » Wed 06 Oct, 2004 16:33

The private registrations like M3 POW etc are pretty cool when the numbers are where they should be.

Well I'm nearly cool

Eight too many

Gucci · Post by **Gucci** » Wed 06 Oct, 2004 21:18

Well, if you overtook me on the M11 I'd think V cool!

Yella · Post by **Yella** » Tue 16 Nov, 2004 19:17

I recently recieved a letter from the DVLA after changing my 3 to a backward E warning me or should I say giving me advice that it is not the correct way of displaying my REG No and if it wasn't displayed the correct way with the correct lettering, I may well be dealt with accordingly. So alas it will be changed back to the correct way of displaying

Fixer · Post by **Fixer** » Tue 16 Nov, 2004 20:29

Sorry to here that but I can’t help wondering who notified the DVLA about your wrongly displayed letters in the first place?

Fixer

ogII · Post by **ogII** » Tue 16 Nov, 2004 22:07

Going slightly off topic I saw a Bentley Continental at the weekend with the plate

5 NOT

Pure class.......

Yella · Post by **Yella** » Wed 17 Nov, 2004 06:59

Well that is something I will never know but as I have no enemy's I can only presume it was one of the traffic wardens that patrols around my parents house

, but there again it's on view where ever I drive it only takes an unmarked police car to be sat behind you at some point. Nevermind I'll just have to buy myself a plate that suits my name and that I can display legally

Glasgow2.8 · Post by **Glasgow2.8** » Thu 18 Nov, 2004 10:32

reg plate recognition cameras?

I can’t help wondering who notified the DVLA

bmwstuff · Post by **bmwstuff** » Sat 20 Nov, 2004 20:22

any ideas whats the quickest way to get a plate on your car, i already have the plate on retention but is it easier to pop to the local dvla office or to send it in. Get mixed info as to which is quickest and average time.

The dealers seem to get it done quite quickly so any suggestions appreciated.
Thanks anyone!
Dan
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Edsel ford specifications

JAY · Post by **JAY** » Sat 20 Nov, 2004 20:43

I pop down to my local dvla office and they do it there and then .

Normal waiting time is between 20mins to an hour .

bmwstuff · Post by **bmwstuff** » Sat 20 Nov, 2004 20:48

JAY wrote:I pop down to my local dvla office and they do it there and then .

Normal waiting time is between 20mins to an hour .

Thanks Jay, you mean they issue with new tax disk and documents there and then. No waiting for 4 weeks then?
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Grow Medical Marijuana

Fixer · Post by **Fixer** » Sat 20 Nov, 2004 20:56

ill agree with that but don't go at the end of a month or it will be 2 to 4 hours.

Also you need to go to general inquiries and not cherished numbers, don't ask why but I was sent back in the Queue thats how I know.

Fixer

bmwstuff · Post by **bmwstuff** » Sat 20 Nov, 2004 21:03

Thanks Jay and Fixer,

Will join the queue on Monday and hopefully get an early start!

Cheers
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Suzuki Gsx-R Series History

JAY · Post by **JAY** » Sat 20 Nov, 2004 21:03

bmwstuff wrote:
JAY wrote:I pop down to my local dvla office and they do it there and then .

Normal waiting time is between 20mins to an hour .
Thanks Jay, you mean they issue with new tax disk and documents there and then. No waiting for 4 weeks then?

Yeah. I went just last week to get my reg put on, they stamp your mot , give you a new tax disc, and you receive your new v5 in the post.

Don't forget if you drive your car there have the plates ready to put on as it would be illegal to drive with the old plates on, and tell your insurance co. your new reg.

bmwstuff · Post by **bmwstuff** » Sat 20 Nov, 2004 21:57

Thanks for all your help but ask a silly question, how should i fit the plates to the car. The original has 2 holes which I presume, I can line up and just drill with a standard drill or do I risk cracking it? Don't fancy just sticking them on with the risk of them flying off!

Or would you recommend friendly halfords?

Any help appreciated.
Thanks again in advance.
________
JUGGALO

JAY · Post by **JAY** » Sun 21 Nov, 2004 02:18

Drill them from the back side,

If you drill them from the front you may risk the drill bit pushing the sticky back stuff and thus causing air bubbles.

If you drill a pilot hole first you should have no problems with cracking.

Hope this helps

Jay.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun 21 Nov, 2004 13:21

You should always drill from the front as you never know how much 'detonation' you'll get as you come through.

What you should also do is clamp a piece of wood to the back of the plate, so you drill through the plate into the wood as a continuous action. That way you get a nice clean hole.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun 21 Nov, 2004 13:22

siwilson wrote:That way you get a nice clean hole.

Just saw what I said there, so fnarr fnarr, Spokey I saved you a post.

Zedster · Post by **Zedster** » Sun 21 Nov, 2004 13:32

Sorry to correct you Si but you must drill from the back otherwise the backing gets slightly raised and after a while it will look like this, with moisture getting in.

Lee

bmwstuff · Post by **bmwstuff** » Sun 21 Nov, 2004 13:45

Thanks for all your help guys.
________
Hydrogen 7

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun 21 Nov, 2004 16:04

Zedster wrote:otherwise the backing gets slightly raised

Lee,

That's why you clamp a piece of wood to the back. To stop the separation and to stop the detonation.

bmwstuff,

If you feel happier drilling from the back the go ahead, but also use the piece of wood trick. That way the hole in the front will be the same size and as clean as the hole in the back.

zroadster.net

Risky Reg

Risky Reg

hi

fancyplates

Fixer

My new Reg

TVR 350i

Check out DVLA

Number Plates

(in)appropriate plates?

how about one of the new

just as a sideline

thanks

Thanks again

Re: thanks

Just another question

Thanks