Jase1.4
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 06
Location: west mids - black 1.8 astra coupe
User status: Offline
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I got waved into a spot check yesterday, and after a while i got told my licence plate was illegal cos i have 3D letters and that my spacing was wrong. Was shocked to say the least as they were legal when i brought them and it was mot'd only 2 weeks ago!
I held my hands up and said i thought 3d was legal so fair enough, but that i honestly thought the spacing was fine. She was having none of it and i continued to try and make her understand that the gaps were all equal but gave up knowing she would have me for the 3d anyway.
BUT searching on the dvla site today, ive found out that 3d is legal as long as the characters meet the british standard spec......and found the actual spacing measurements.....and my plates spot on!! 
I luckily wasnt fined but have still got to get it 'changed' and tested within 14 days (along with a tyre that had a nail in - which i didnt know about) else the photos they took get sent to court and to quote her ''i stand no chance of winning''
Anyone else been told 3D letters are illegal????
[Edited on 31-03-2009 by Jase1.4]
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Ste
Premium Member
Registered: 5th Mar 03
Location: Taif, Saudi Arabia
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Do your plates have the postcode of the maker on and E marked?
I would rather lose by a mile because i built my own car, than win by an inch because someone else built it for me.
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elliott023
Member
Registered: 1st Jun 08
Location: Bradford (West Yorkshire)
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no but i fuckin hate police, they take the piss fuckin peoples days up for no reason OMG..... i avoid them when i see any police
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Jase1.4
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 06
Location: west mids - black 1.8 astra coupe
User status: Offline
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they have the postcode in the right hand corner yeah, but not sure about the E mark.
i actually said about the postcode that i thought only legal plates would have it
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Jase1.4
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 06
Location: west mids - black 1.8 astra coupe
User status: Offline
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tbh mate, there only doing their job, and as much as it has annoyed me they are there for a reason.
its just mad that they dont know things like this - she didnt know any measurements of the spacings just said it wasnt correct lol
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Damian_666
Member
Registered: 28th Sep 06
Location: essex: Drives: Mitsubishi Evo 2 RS
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whats wrong with a normal plate??? we all have to have them!
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Jase1.4
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 06
Location: west mids - black 1.8 astra coupe
User status: Offline
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it is except for standard 3D font. which i thought might look better than the plain black. theyve been on the car for about 10 months
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Adam_B
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Registered: 13th Dec 00
Location: Lancashire
User status: Offline
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id go to your local police station with the info you have found and have a word.
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PaulW
Member
Registered: 26th Jan 03
Location: Atherton, Greater Manchester
User status: Offline
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http://www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/leaflets/v796.pdf
Unfortunately, its not written on there, but as said, the only decorative variation still permitted is a 3D effect version of the mandatory typeface.
What is required and permitted on UK road-legal number plates
Required:
- White front plate (to British Standard BS AU 145d)
- Yellow rear plate (to British Standard BS AU 145d)
- The registration number of the bearer vehicle in the mandatory font (black ‘Charles Wright 2001’)
- Spacing of characters and character groups in accordance with the measurements specified in the regulations. Variation is not permitted
Permitted but not required:
- 3D variation of the mandatory ‘Charles Wright 2001’ font
- Coloured, non-reflective border
- National emblem: English St George Cross with “ENG” legend, Scottish St Andrew Cross with “SCO” legend, Welsh Dragon with “WALES” and “CYMRU” legend, British Union Flag with “GB” legend) or Euro Stars symbol with “GB” legend.
No additions or variations are permitted. Common illegal variations are:
- Fancy or decorative typefaces
- Bolts placed in such a way as to alter the appearance of characters
- Adjusted spacing between characters or character groups
- Altered characters
- Additional logos or symbols, such as sporting emblems and religious symbols.
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Jase1.4
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 06
Location: west mids - black 1.8 astra coupe
User status: Offline
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Cheers Paul 
Thats the leaflet and similar information ive got and keeping in my car from now on. I've also found this page about common questions and this says about the 3D font being allowed too http://www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/numberplateinfo.aspx
I'm going to take the info with me when i go and also when i go to get it tested but im not going to put up a fuss about it, if it was only my plates then i probs would, but i have to get my tyre changed and tested anyway which i have no problem about doing so will just explain all to the tester.
It's just a bit daft really isn't it she was convinced it was illegal, and it was a different police woman that came over to take photos of my car, therefore two officers that believed it was illegal 
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corsa_rob
Member
Registered: 22nd Jan 06
Location: Birmingham
User status: Offline
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 spot checks in west midlands!
where abouts? and i now feel the need to go buy a new wing nut to secure my battery and get 4 new tyres
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Jase1.4
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 06
Location: west mids - black 1.8 astra coupe
User status: Offline
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it was the big lay by in shareshill mate, on the cannock road heading into featherstone. ive seen the odd vosa van there once or twice with a couple of trucks but never police. i cheekily said do you do these often? and she replied 'not as much as we should' lol
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Gareth F
Member
Registered: 16th Jan 08
Location: Location Location
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Ive got myself some pressed metal plates 
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richc
Member
Registered: 24th Mar 07
Location: Ilkeston
User status: Offline
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I had the same problem, argued like fuck with the copper as he was being extremely ignorant, and wouldnt listen to anything i said. I had To get the plates changed. But after more research, i found out mine were legal. Fumming!
Problem was, i got the plates ont he car done at a market so no paperwork with them. (But they were legal font, size etc).
So the second set i had cut, i had them done at gray paul ferrari in nottingham (mate is a tec there), so they have a proper recipet saying they are legal.
They were the same And my mate says they get people from VOSA, going down to the dealer ship checking the machine. They cannont chage the size or font, it is set.
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nathy_87
Member
Registered: 14th Aug 08
Location: West Mids. Drives: Škoda Fabia VRS 5J
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Where abouts was this? There are regular stop checks near castle vale. I got pulled in there, the officer said my plates were illegal BUT he can read them still so its ok  so ive kept them on.
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Jase1.4
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 06
Location: west mids - black 1.8 astra coupe
User status: Offline
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It was just before you get into featherstone chap.
And yeah it was similar with me rich i tried to show her that the spacings were the same by using my little finger as the width measurement lol. But she was having none of it, i've found my receipt too as my old plates were in the envolope they came in (which state legal standard 3D font) so be keeping those in the car too now.
Been into the police station today to produce my documents and the woman behind reception asked in a friendly way what the problem was with the plates, as it just says 'not complying with regulations' on my ticket. So told her about it and she just laughed and said it's a good job they didnt fine you for that then.
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cunningham
Member
Registered: 25th May 05
Location: Lochore, Fife
User status: Offline
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anything that isnt stadard is illegal simple as
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Daniel_Corsa
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Apr 04
Location: Wigton, Cumbria
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by munk3yrac3r
Ive got myself some LEGAL pressed metal plates
Snap
April '06' Corsasport Feature Car  | Aug '08' Total Vauxhall Feature Car | Spring '09' Fast Car Feature Car
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chrex
Member
Registered: 26th Aug 07
Location: Brawdy/Wirral
User status: Offline
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yea, i make 3d plates up in work all the time...all legal! 
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