Number plates

[busastars]

Just wondering if anyone knows, do places like B&Q and other DIY stores sell number plate kits. I know they used to a few years ago, you would buy the yellow backround and then the number & letters you need.

Its only for a trailer and saves me trawling round a few places first.

Cheers

 

[reno]

No, not any more. The DVLA got pretty strict on number plates a few years back as too many people were playing about with the lettering and positioning. You've got to have a license to sell number plates now.

Cheers, reno

 

[busastars]

Cool that saved me doing the rounds. Guess that's why number plates are expensive now, when I worked in a garage we only charged about £5.00 a pair, I think its about £10 a single now.

 

[piman]

Hello Busastars,

you also need to take the V5C with you when you order them.

Alec

 

[pedrobedro]

They tightened up as anyone could go in and buy a set of plates for any vehicle. People were getting London congestion charge letters all over the country and speeding tickets for vehicles like fork lifts and tractors. The last one I bought I had to take the registration document and a service bill with my name and address on it but your passport is acceptable even though it was only a rear plate for a trailer and I had the car outside. You can buy "show" plates from ebay suppliers which can be any configuration but are not always road legal.

 

[tigler]

Plates can be bought on the net without all the V5 nonsense. Try showplates in google.
They do all sorts of err 'creative' plates but you can have bog standard versions too.

 

[overload]

Plates can be bought on the net without all the V5 nonsense. Try showplates in google.
They do all sorts of err 'creative' plates but you can have bog standard versions too.

This very much. Best way to do it unless you're really desperate!

 

[busastars]

Its only for my small trailer so was looking for as cheap as possible thats why I thought of B&Q. Got a fair few places that do number plates local, think there all about £10,,,,, Remember I am the forum bargin hunter

 

[john224]

Hi get a piece of ally and paint your number on it its not 100% but just say you borrowed the trailer if you get stopped ive never had a propper number plate on a trailer is 15 years and yes ive been stopped for having a bulb out but never been told about the number plate, if you look round you will see trailers with a bit of cardboard on with the number scribbled on in felt pen,,
Its the cheepest way!!!

 

[rtbcomp]

Borrowed or not, it's the driver's responsibilty to ensure it complies with all the regs.

 

[mill]

ebuy sale them

 

[Spud1985]

yeah i got a set from the van off ebay had a sticker on the back saying not for road use to cover themselves but they are legal as long as its spaced propper

 

[john224]

Borrowed or not, it's the driver's responsibilty to ensure it complies with all the regs.

I was told as long as its got the tow vehicals reg no on it they wont bother you (( Might give tell off)) But UNLESS there is somthing else wrong with the trailer or tow vehical they wont bother you,, (( off the record was told its to much paper work,)) for what its worth,,,
(((( As for anytime you get stopped JUST be nice and polite to them)))
If they are stroppy with you take their number and report them

 

[chriskelland]

I buy my number plates from a firm in Ireland, of the internet, the proof of ownership laws do not apply there.

Chris.

 

[Welderpaul]

Hi get a piece of ally and paint your number on it its not 100% but just say you borrowed the trailer if you get stopped ive never had a propper number plate on a trailer is 15 years and yes ive been stopped for having a bulb out but never been told about the number plate, if you look round you will see trailers with a bit of cardboard on with the number scribbled on in felt pen,,
Its the cheepest way!!!

My pal got stopped for towing a trailer without a proper plate. He had cut a bit off steel sheet, sprayed it yellow and wrote the letters/number on with a black marker. Looked good, but not quite good enough. He got quite a fine for it.

 

[rtbcomp]

Technically showplates are illegal even if the spacing &c is correct unless they carry the name of the manufacturer, who must be licensed to make number plates.

 

[hotrodder]

I was told as long as its got the tow vehicals reg no on it they wont bother you (( Might give tell off)) But UNLESS there is somthing else wrong with the trailer or tow vehical they wont bother you,, (( off the record was told its to much paper work,)) for what its worth,,,
(((( As for anytime you get stopped JUST be nice and polite to them)))
If they are stroppy with you take their number and report them

Depends which flavour of plod you encounter (and their mood etc). I've been tugged when being silly and had a 'tongue in cheek' telling off before being sent on may way in a car that would have been screaming 'roadside MOT' at them. Also been tugged for a breath test (was seen leaving a pub, different completely stock car) which i have no problem with only to be 'greeted' by 2 spotty jobsworths that took the ****- the sort that would love to see a homemade plate as it gives them an excuse to have their little power trip

 

[SC_BK]

So long as you don't need the numberplate straight away there's plenty of folks who advertise on ebay, basic plates are usually £5-£7 each including postage

 

[Scamp]

Technically showplates are illegal even if the spacing &c is correct unless they carry the name of the manufacturer, who must be licensed to make number plates.

That's not entirely correct. As long as the letters are the legal requirement (size and font) and the spacing is correct then they are legal. The powers that be cannot prove how long the plates have been on the car. None of my cars have manufactures details on the plates as they have been on them for so long.

 

[rtbcomp]

..... The powers that be cannot prove how long the plates have been on the car. ......

They know when the car was registered from the number (suffix, prefix &c) and if the registration date was after the date the legislation came in then it will be easy to spot that the plates are illegal if the maker's ID isn't present.

Not so easy with older cars, but if a plate looks brand new that could be a giveaway, although I doubt they'd bother to investigate.