Number Plates

[A Van]

As you all know its awkward to get plates made for the US bezel 11 x 5.

And front numberplates, those of you that use them!...380 x 90 is quite a good size, as it fits the black part of the fascia quite nicely (thanks to Bozzy for experimenting).

They can shrink the text nicely so it fits in rear bezel without the top and bottom cut off which looks awful.

http://www.yourplates.co.uk

Ken, email sales@yourplates.co.uk

[MikeWard]

I treated #4708 to a new front plate - I decided (or caved in to peer pressure) that it was time to ditch the US style oblong plate and get something that better fits the front fascia.

I ordered a front plate from http://www.yourplates.co.uk - great service, ordered mid afternoon and arrived next day. The plate size is 16" x 3.5" (Thanks Al ) and the font size is motorcycle 64mm x 44mm. Per VOSA an imported vehicle or one which is not type approved, is legally allowed to use the smaller motorcycle font. (you will need to click on "Design A Show Plate" to get the correct size plate)

IMG_6450.JPG (176.7 KiB) Viewed 3566 times

If ordering again, I probably wouldn't bother with the black border.

[A Van]

Looks much better Mike!

I know why you don't like the black border.... It costs more!

[Dan 6511]

I think I'll leave mine without one on the front I'll get one made up for the rear though as the bezel chops off the top of the letters at the moment. Cheers for the link.

[MikeWard]

Some additional info.

“Size and spacing of characters: special cases

14A.—(1) This regulation applies in relation to any vehicle imported into the United Kingdom which—

(a) does not have European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval; and

(b) is so constructed that the area available for the fixing of the registration plate precludes the display on the plate of a registration mark in conformity with the requirements of regulation 14.

(2) In relation to a vehicle to which this regulation applies—

(a) each character in the registration mark must be 64 millimetres high;

(b) the width of each character of the mark, other than the letter “I” and the figure “1”, must be 44 millimetres;

(c) the width of every part of the stroke forming a character in a mark must be 10 millimetres;

(d) the spacing between any two characters within a group must be 10 millimetres;

(e) the vertical spacing between groups of characters must be 5 millimetres;

(f) the width of a margin between the mark and the top and lateral sides of the registration plate must be not less than 5 millimetres;

(g) the space between the bottom of the mark and the bottom of the registration plate must be not less than 13 millimetres; but, within that space, the space between the bottom of the mark and the top of the name and postcode of the person by whom the plate was supplied must be not less than 5 millimetres.”(a)

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport.
David Jamieson
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State,
24th October 2002 Department for Transport

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002 ... 687_en.pdf

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So, it could be argued that the DeLorean was never intended to be fitted with a front plate, and as such the width of the black strip on the front fascia cannot accommodate a regular sized UK number plate (granted it is a bit of a thin argument).

Consequently, in July 2001 the Government announced that it would allow imported vehicles, mostly from the United States and the Far East, to continue to display motorcycle size number plates. The main reason given for this decision was that the “cost of modifying some of these vehicles, in particular those which originate from the USA, to take standard size plates would be costly and unfair". The amending legislation, the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/2687), came into force on 22 November 2002.

SN01328.pdf

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[Darren C]

Thanks Mike.

All good stuff.

But ONLY applies to the rear plate.

The front has to be UK standard size as there is NO restriction on the car like the rear bezel on the front.

One exception is a genuine US Delorean licence plate frame being used on the front where you "create" your own restriction

[MikeWard]

That's why I said it was a thin argument.

Will just have to plead ignorance

[Dan 6511]

kjd 320w.... is taxed mot'd and insured. Think I'll get that one made up for mine then

[MikeWard]

kjd 320w.... is taxed mot'd and insured. Think I'll get that one made up for mine then

tdv 102w SORN in place - the tightness is strong in you

[Dan 6511]

tdv 102w SORN in place - the tightness is strong in you

Its only taxed March, June and October