21 replies to this topic

[ryan69]

Does anyone know if a car fail the MOT if it has an old style numberplate black and silver number plate if it was made after 1973?

If you were driving around in it I don't think the police would notice but I heard it's recomended to have a white and yellow plate kept in your car in case you do get pulled over. If I had a private plate they wouldn't know at all I guess.

If anyone could shed some light on the matter that would be great.

[1976 clubamn]

they are not legal for road useage. they will also fail an MOT if the tester is doing the job correctly.

that is unless you can is in the age bracket of course

[Bungle]

i think jammy runs his racing green on old style plates

[Hols_mini]

My number plates are illegal but have never been stopped yet.

I think as long as they are legible they'll let it go

[ryan69]

Could i just put the old white and yellow plates on when it's in for an MOT??

[Boab]

Debate from another forum

CLICKY

[Guess-Works.com]

There is no debate, it's the law, ONLY vehicles first used on the road Pre 1st January 1973 are able to have White/Silver on Black Plates.

You risk 3 points and a fine for an illegal license plate, it is no different to altering the letters / spacing on a plate.

But I will now go and read the 'debate'

[Boab]

And the LAW

REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION PLATES

PART 1

VEHICLES REGISTERED AND NEW REGISTRATION PLATES FITTED ON OR AFTER 1ST SEPTEMBER 2001 (MANDATORY SPECIFICATION)

1. The plate must be made of retroreflecting material which, as regards its construction, colour and other qualities, complies with the requirements of -

(a) the British Standard specification for retroreflecting number plates published on 15 January 1998 under number BS AU 145d[13], or

(B) any other relevant standard or specification recognised for use in an EEA State and which, when in use, offers a performance equivalent to that offered by a plate complying with the British Standard specification,

and which, in either case, is marked with the number (or such other information as is necessary to permit identification) of that standard or specification.

2. Where the registration mark is displayed on the front of the vehicle, it must have black characters on a white background.

3. Where the registration mark is displayed on the back of the vehicle, it must have black characters on a yellow background.



PART 2

VEHICLES REGISTERED ON OR AFTER 1ST JANUARY 1973 AND BEFORE 1ST SEPTEMBER 2001 (OPTIONAL SPECIFICATION)

1. The plate must be made of reflex-reflecting material which, as regards its construction, colour and other qualities, complies with the requirements of -

(a) the British Standard Specification for reflex-reflecting number plates, published on 11 September 1972 under the number BS AU 145a[14], or

(B) any other relevant standard or specification recognised for use in an EEA State and which, when in use, offers a performance equivalent to that offered by a plate complying with the British Standard specification,

and which, in either case, is marked with the number (or such other information as is necessary to permit identification) of that standard or specification.

2. Where the registration mark is displayed on the front of the vehicle, it must have black characters on a white background.

3. Where the registration mark is displayed on the back of the vehicle, it must have black characters on a yellow background.



PART 3

VEHICLES REGISTERED BEFORE 1ST JANUARY 1973 (OPTIONAL SPECIFICATIONS)

A. Requirements where the vehicle carries a registration plate which is constructed so that the mark may be illuminated from behind by virtue of the translucency of its characters.

1. The registration mark must be formed of white translucent characters on a black background on the surface of that plate.

2. When the registration mark is illuminated during the hours of darkness, the characters on that plate must appear white against a black background.

B. Requirements where the vehicle carries a registration plate which is not so constructed.

Either of the following is permitted -

1. A plate made of reflex-reflecting material complying with the requirements of the British Standard Specification for reflex-reflecting number plates published on 31 October 1967 under the number BS AU 145[15] and which displays black characters on a white background where it is fixed on the front of the vehicle and black characters on a yellow background where it is fixed on the rear of the vehicle.

2. A plate displaying white, silver or light grey letters and numbers on a black surface having every character indelibly inscribed on the surface or so attached to the surface that it cannot readily be detached from it, which may either -

(a) be made of cast or pressed metal with raised characters, or

(B) consist of a plate to which separate characters are attached, or

© consist of a plastic plate having either reverse engraved characters or characters of a foil type, or

(d) consist of an unbroken rectangular area on the surface of the vehicle which is either flat or, if there is no flat area where the mark is required to be displayed, an area which is almost flat.

[Jammy]

Yea, I think the question has pretty much been answered! Definitely illegal on pre 73 cars. I do have a 1989 Racing Green which I have black and white plates on, they fit the stlye of the car and when I was driving it I never got pulled over. However, if you were to be pulled over then its one more thing the police can do you for, and theres no point giving the police more ammo when they don't really need it! I think its one of those things like clear indicators and stuff, you take your chances if you think its worth it.

[Guess-Works.com]

I've been pulled over, and mine are legal !

[ryan69]

Well when I have mine it will suit the look of the car, I didn't know clear indicators are illegal - I have those chrome bulbs I'm sure they're OK..

[Guess-Works.com]

clear indicators lenses are not illegal, but they are if they have clear ( or not visibly the right colour ) bulbs in them

[Jammy]

Yea, tis what I meant, do they have to be E-marked as well, or is that just headlight and rear lenses?

[ryan69]

I have the chrome bulbs which are orange. These OK?

[pierce]

any lens colour is fine as long as they clearly show the right colour light. the letter i have from DVLA says black and white no plates are only for tax exempt cars which are any thing manufactured before 1st jan 1973 or thats how i understand it but you have to prove its when it was made which can be very difficult as i'm finding with my 1974 registered MK1 escort