Anyone know if they are legal. I'm talink about legal size spacing letters etc but effectively a bonnet sticker. Some cars do no lend themselves very well to normal plastic plates. Like this for example:
http://www.pistonhead...ng/topic.asp?t=929381
there seems to be some debate as to wether they are legal, anyone know the truth here? thanks
No. The Regs specifically detail permitted materials for plates pre-Jan 1973 (reflex-reflecting or metal), Jan 1973-Sep 2001 (reflex-reflecting) and post Sep 2001 (retroreflecting).
They may 'illegal' but have you heard of anyone being fined? I see lots of cars and trailers with even hand made signs, sometimes even chalk! Re. Classic cars; none of the legislation was retrospective, so cars which pre-date the law are exempt and do not require such things as seat belts, and windscreen wipers/ washers. Silver and black plates are OK with contemporary vehicles.
I would have thought is the plate was the correct colour / spacing, & the car is not a heap to look at, the police will let it go, but again, I may be corrected.
I have also seen many plates just stuck on as some cars you can just not put number plates on unless you put them at the side of the grill! But one of my friends did have a black one and the police pulled him over and made him change them :(
There are several older sports cars that have stick-on number plates on the bonnet as plastic acrylic plates just don't fit in the standard positions. E-type Jaguars come to mind as do MGBs, Triumph Spitfires etc. I know the classic car magazines mention that they are technically illegal but no one bothers about it and owners keep a set of acrylic plates to hand if there are any issues with the MoT.