Are 3D number plates illegal? |
Are 3D number plates illegal? |
Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 14:49
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#1
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Member Group: Members Posts: 21 Joined: 20 Dec 2020 Member No.: 111,005 |
I’ve received a letter from Surrey police stating my registration plate fails to conform with the road vehicles (display of registration marks) regulations 2001. There’s no specific reason stating why it fails to conform with the regulations. My number plate is spaced correctly and has the BS AU 145e code on there. I wasn’t pulled over I just happened to receive this through the post.
The only thing I can think of is that the 3D lettering is making it illegal but I’m not sure if that’s correct as I’ve checked on the gov.uk website and it states 3D (raised) characters are allowed. (Check attached image) Any info on this would be great, thanks. |
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Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 14:49
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Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 15:20
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#2
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Member Group: Members Posts: 4,363 Joined: 9 Apr 2021 Member No.: 112,205 |
(Check attached image) There's nothing attached. For uploading photos you'll need to use a third party host such as Imgur -------------------- Useful Links (for private parking charges):
Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (PoFA) Schedule 4 | British Parking Association (BPA) Code of Practice | International Parking Community (IPC) Code of Practice |
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Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 19:13
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#3
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Member Group: Members Posts: 7,235 Joined: 5 Jan 2007 From: England Member No.: 9,919 |
3d raised as you put it have always been allowed as that's how plates used to be made with plastic letters attached to the flat plate. now days 3d means a printed 3d look. if I'm correct cant be bothered to look at mo the latest No plate regulations outlaw 3d for new cars registered since a specific date
how old is your car? post pic of part of plate so we can see what you have This post has been edited by mickR: Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 20:17 |
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Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 19:24
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#4
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Member Group: Members Posts: 1,271 Joined: 16 Jul 2015 Member No.: 78,384 |
I am surprised the 3D lettering would have BS AU 145e code on it.
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Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 19:39
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#5
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Member Group: Members Posts: 41,506 Joined: 25 Aug 2011 From: Planet Earth Member No.: 49,223 |
I am surprised the 3D lettering would have BS AU 145e code on it. It's a bit of a mess but raised characters were not specifically banned under 145e as long as all other requirements are met. (Differing shades of black/grey were banned) Plate manufacturers have noted 'over zealous' police enforcement… This post has been edited by Jlc: Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 19:42 -------------------- RK=Registered Keeper, OP=Original Poster (You!), CoFP=Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty, NtK=Notice to Keeper, NtD=Notice to Driver
PoFA=Protection of Freedoms Act, SAC=Safety Awareness Course, NIP=Notice of Intended Prosecution, ADR=Alternative Dispute Resolution PPC=Private Parking Company, LBCCC=Letter Before County Court Claim, PII=Personally Identifiable Information, SAR=Subject Access Request Private Parking - remember, they just want your money and will say almost anything to get it. |
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Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 20:26
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#6
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Member Group: Members Posts: 25,726 Joined: 28 Jun 2010 From: Area 51 Member No.: 38,559 |
I'm wandering what else the letter states?
ie is it simply a warning letter with the threat of action if plates are not replaced/compliant or is it form of a NIP and requires you to name the driver or what? BS AU145e outlaws faux 3D effects by making it a requirement for text to be one shade of black. True raised 3D is still allowed but must still conform to the single shade of black. This applies to all plates supplied after 1st Sept 2021 while plates could be supplied that conformed from Jan 2021 I am not sure how this affects plates made before the operative date or under older standards? BS 145d allowed faux 3d with toned text so if those are on a vehicle and supplied prior to 1st Sept 21 AFAIK, they can still legally be used. But if made in a way that does not conform to BS145e and shows that they do, there would be another can of worms, likely with the supplier as well. OP, are you sure that the plates conform in all other ways, ie makers name, size, colours, font used, any side flags ???? |
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Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 20:46
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#7
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Member Group: Members Posts: 7,235 Joined: 5 Jan 2007 From: England Member No.: 9,919 |
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Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 20:58
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#8
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Member Group: Members Posts: 1,864 Joined: 2 Aug 2016 Member No.: 86,040 |
I am surprised the 3D lettering would have BS AU 145e code on it. nothing wrong with it depending on the year of vehicle Kind of I think. I believe that it is the date of fitting the plates. Odd I know. Pre existing faux3d plates can remain on the vehicle. |
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Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 21:10
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#9
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Member Group: Members Posts: 7,235 Joined: 5 Jan 2007 From: England Member No.: 9,919 |
yeah updates are only for new vehicles from update instigation
3D and 4D were banned on new cars in 2021 so if the OPs car is older than that his 3Ds are OK but your average plod probably won't have a clue |
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Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 04:24
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#10
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Member Group: Members Posts: 21 Joined: 20 Dec 2020 Member No.: 111,005 |
3d raised as you put it have always been allowed as that's how plates used to be made with plastic letters attached to the flat plate. now days 3d means a printed 3d look. if I'm correct cant be bothered to look at mo the latest No plate regulations outlaw 3d for new cars registered since a specific date how old is your car? post pic of part of plate so we can see what you have My car is 2015 I am surprised the 3D lettering would have BS AU 145e code on it. I recently updated my plates that’s why it’s got the BS AU 145e code on it. I'm wandering what else the letter states? ie is it simply a warning letter with the threat of action if plates are not replaced/compliant or is it form of a NIP and requires you to name the driver or what? BS AU145e outlaws faux 3D effects by making it a requirement for text to be one shade of black. True raised 3D is still allowed but must still conform to the single shade of black. This applies to all plates supplied after 1st Sept 2021 while plates could be supplied that conformed from Jan 2021 I am not sure how this affects plates made before the operative date or under older standards? BS 145d allowed faux 3d with toned text so if those are on a vehicle and supplied prior to 1st Sept 21 AFAIK, they can still legally be used. But if made in a way that does not conform to BS145e and shows that they do, there would be another can of worms, likely with the supplier as well. OP, are you sure that the plates conform in all other ways, ie makers name, size, colours, font used, any side flags ???? The letter states it’s a 28 day police requirement to purchase and fit replacement plates. After 28 days a remote check will be completed by police to ensure compliance. Failure to comply could result being stopped by police at the roadside, where I could be fined and have the plates seized off the vehicle. The plates that I have are 3D gel plates. No flags and they have one shade of black, correctly spaced, makers name, original size, original font. |
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Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 06:13
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#11
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Member Group: Members Posts: 3,300 Joined: 17 Jun 2011 Member No.: 47,602 |
3d raised as you put it have always been allowed as that's how plates used to be made with plastic letters attached to the flat plate. now days 3d means a printed 3d look. if I'm correct cant be bothered to look at mo the latest No plate regulations outlaw 3d for new cars registered since a specific date how old is your car? post pic of part of plate so we can see what you have My car is 2015 I am surprised the 3D lettering would have BS AU 145e code on it. I recently updated my plates that’s why it’s got the BS AU 145e code on it. I'm wandering what else the letter states? ie is it simply a warning letter with the threat of action if plates are not replaced/compliant or is it form of a NIP and requires you to name the driver or what? BS AU145e outlaws faux 3D effects by making it a requirement for text to be one shade of black. True raised 3D is still allowed but must still conform to the single shade of black. This applies to all plates supplied after 1st Sept 2021 while plates could be supplied that conformed from Jan 2021 I am not sure how this affects plates made before the operative date or under older standards? BS 145d allowed faux 3d with toned text so if those are on a vehicle and supplied prior to 1st Sept 21 AFAIK, they can still legally be used. But if made in a way that does not conform to BS145e and shows that they do, there would be another can of worms, likely with the supplier as well. OP, are you sure that the plates conform in all other ways, ie makers name, size, colours, font used, any side flags ???? The letter states it’s a 28 day police requirement to purchase and fit replacement plates. After 28 days a remote check will be completed by police to ensure compliance. Failure to comply could result being stopped by police at the roadside, where I could be fined and have the plates seized off the vehicle. The plates that I have are 3D gel plates. No flags and they have one shade of black, correctly spaced, makers name, original size, original font. What on earth is a "remote check"? And can they really seize the plates, presumably leaving you to drive around incognito? |
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Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 06:49
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#12
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Member Group: Members Posts: 1,864 Joined: 2 Aug 2016 Member No.: 86,040 |
The letter states it’s a 28 day police requirement to purchase and fit replacement plates. After 28 days a remote check will be completed by police to ensure compliance. Failure to comply could result being stopped by police at the roadside, where I could be fined and have the plates seized off the vehicle. The plates that I have are 3D gel plates. No flags and they have one shade of black, correctly spaced, makers name, original size, original font. The fact that they are BS marked does not mean they are compliant. The vendor may have commited a number of offences by claiming them to be so but that makes no difference to whether you have commited any offence or not. At some point you are liable to get some inconvenience. Even if you are ultimately right and able to convince the magistrates that they were completely compliant do you really want the hassle. ? When stopped "but officer, they are BS marked and I am told by the vendors fully compliant" is hardly likely to cut it when you have been put on notice that the believe they don't comply and offered a chance for correction. The threat of "remote check" however seems questionable. Whilst a plate supplier has to keep records of supplied plates I don't believe there is any requirement to report those sales. |
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Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 09:12
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#13
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Member Group: Members Posts: 25,726 Joined: 28 Jun 2010 From: Area 51 Member No.: 38,559 |
Sounds like Old Bill have had a camera out, perhaps as part of an ANPR check on road tax/insurance et al and picked up shades of black in the picture?
Which would show up as shades in a photo with gel 3Ds...natural shadows. Then a warning letter, doesn't matter if valid, there will now be a warning on file and a possible ANPR marker flag on the vehicle. Which is likely what the remote check is about, be prepared for pings on ANPR systems and possible stops. Can't see how they can hope to prosecute with a remote check, too many questions, not least of which is when was the plate fitted |
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Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 10:51
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#14
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Member Group: Members Posts: 56,198 Joined: 9 Sep 2003 From: Warwickshire Member No.: 317 |
And can they really seize the plates, presumably leaving you to drive around incognito? To answer this as a narrow point Yes and No. Yes they can seize them, the offence is not displaying a compliant plate, so by seizing them they haven't changed the legality of the car. Well it's a offence to not display them, driving around would be an aggravating factor (but no more) so I'd suggest NOT driving until replaced but you commit the same offence stationary or driving (or either with that non compliant plate). -------------------- There is no such thing as a law abiding motorist, just those who have been scammed and those yet to be scammed!
S172's Rookies 1-0 Kent Council PCN's Rookies 1-0 Warwick Rookies 1-0 Birmingham PPC PCN's Rookies 10-0 PPC's |
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Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 11:19
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#15
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Member Group: Members Posts: 938 Joined: 24 Sep 2014 Member No.: 73,212 |
3D plates are legal provided
THE REGISTRATION CHARACTERS ARE ALSO PRINTED ON THE YELLOW OR WHITE BACKING. in other words a standard printed plate with the 3/4D raised characters stuck on top. (presumably to ensure that if a stuck on character becomes detached the registration remains intact.) There were some being sold with coloured printed characters under black 3/4D which are illegal as the colour causes refraction and interferes with camera recognition DVLA 3/4D plates This post has been edited by baroudeur: Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 11:21 |
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Sun, 28 Aug 2022 - 13:29
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#16
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Member Group: Members Posts: 213 Joined: 21 Jul 2021 Member No.: 113,431 |
3d raised as you put it have always been allowed as that's how plates used to be made with plastic letters attached to the flat plate. now days 3d means a printed 3d look. if I'm correct cant be bothered to look at mo the latest No plate regulations outlaw 3d for new cars registered since a specific date how old is your car? post pic of part of plate so we can see what you have My car is 2015 I am surprised the 3D lettering would have BS AU 145e code on it. I recently updated my plates that’s why it’s got the BS AU 145e code on it. I'm wandering what else the letter states? ie is it simply a warning letter with the threat of action if plates are not replaced/compliant or is it form of a NIP and requires you to name the driver or what? BS AU145e outlaws faux 3D effects by making it a requirement for text to be one shade of black. True raised 3D is still allowed but must still conform to the single shade of black. This applies to all plates supplied after 1st Sept 2021 while plates could be supplied that conformed from Jan 2021 I am not sure how this affects plates made before the operative date or under older standards? BS 145d allowed faux 3d with toned text so if those are on a vehicle and supplied prior to 1st Sept 21 AFAIK, they can still legally be used. But if made in a way that does not conform to BS145e and shows that they do, there would be another can of worms, likely with the supplier as well. OP, are you sure that the plates conform in all other ways, ie makers name, size, colours, font used, any side flags ???? The letter states it’s a 28 day police requirement to purchase and fit replacement plates. After 28 days a remote check will be completed by police to ensure compliance. Failure to comply could result being stopped by police at the roadside, where I could be fined and have the plates seized off the vehicle. The plates that I have are 3D gel plates. No flags and they have one shade of black, correctly spaced, makers name, original size, original font. What on earth is a "remote check"? And can they really seize the plates, presumably leaving you to drive around incognito? “Remote check” is simply an officer checking the plates meet the regs. In Surrey they go to the address of the r/k and check whilst on patrol (or in reality the local NPT is asked to go have a look in the course of their normal duties). And yes the plates can be seized, Surrey RPU have a nice collection of plates. This post has been edited by BluntyMcCrow2: Sun, 28 Aug 2022 - 13:30 |
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