Yesterday I was bored and vaguely thinking ( again ) about a smaller front number plate . I did a search and saw FunkySi`s link to http://www.fancyplates.com/ . Had a shufty at the site and ordered 3/4 size front one yesterday afternoon , way after the 12 noon same-day despatch deadline . Bearing in mind they say " Allow five working days for delivery " , I was expecting it by next Friday . It arrived today at 11:30am :hyper: And from Northern Ireland at that ! Now , that`s good service . So , well done Fancyplates and good tip , Si :bow:

Nice one mate! Good company to deal with an a well made product.

Yes , I`m well pleased , bud . Mind you , I`m still half expecting a pull by some plod who doesn`t know about the legality of smaller plates for imports , if indeed it`s true that they are legal :eek:

Yes , I`m well pleased , bud . Mind you , I`m still half expecting a pull by some plod who doesn`t know about the legality of smaller plates for imports , if indeed it`s true that they are legal :eek:

 

Smaller plates for imports are not legal - the spacing still has to be the same as UK plates

im sure it doent have to be the same for imports, theres a document somewhere on the dvla website about it.

Smaller plates for imports are not legal - the spacing still has to be the same as UK plates

 

Well because of the Hassel I had with the sighting of my numberplate I did an aweful lot of reseach on numberplates. I have now a laminated card in my glove box that i just hand the copper anytime I get pulled for it.

 

Mine being UK spec has to have full UK sizes, However the legal requirement for import car is that the number plates must be at least the size of counrty of origin, but only becuase some cars are designed to accept that size and would require modification for larger plates.

 

Jspec numberplates are 300mm X 150mm and lettering must be 60mm high and i can't remember the width etc. but Jspec sizes are legal.

 

PS the Red TRD on my sig pic has Jspec number plates

Hi,

Have you a photo of the 3/4 size plate on the front? I've been thinking of changing mine and have always used Fancyplates for my number plates too!

Cheerz,

Jez.

mines uk spec too :(

mines uk spec too :(

 

You can still have a smaller plate, so long as the characters and spacing is the same as a normal UK spec plate.

 

I have a 99-spec front bumper and my front plate is only around 7-8 inches wide (it fits exactly on the raised bit so is the same width as a J-spec plate). As I only have 5 characters in my reg number, normal UK spec letters/numbers fit perfectly.

 

I have got through 4 MOTs like that now so it must be OK.

 

Richard :smw:

My Z has been through an MOT as well with 3/4 sized plates. Police have walked and driven past it and haven't batted an eyelid.

My Z has been through an MOT as well with 3/4 sized plates. Police have walked and driven past it and haven't batted an eyelid.

probally think its one of their patrol cars lol

This is the legeslation aparently.

 

http://www.sandhurstautoprint.co.uk/legislation.html#DVLA%20Legislation

 

They also have a size chart if it is any good.

 

http://www.sandhurstautoprint.co.uk/plate-sizes.html

 

I also found a site that does the 3D carbon domed lettering.

 

http://www.demonplates.com/

 

There not cheap but look good in my opinion.

 

Darrell

You can still have a smaller plate, so long as the characters and spacing is the same as a normal UK spec plate.

 

I have a 99-spec front bumper and my front plate is only around 7-8 inches wide (it fits exactly on the raised bit so is the same width as a J-spec plate). As I only have 5 characters in my reg number, normal UK spec letters/numbers fit perfectly.

 

I have got through 4 MOTs like that now so it must be OK.

 

Richard :smw:

 

It isn't legal as there is a specifide plate size, but most MOT stations just overlook it, but the Zelous copper won't

As you'll notice mine is far too small, with small letters. This IS illegal, but has still passed 2 MOT's without any problems at all. I've also passed numerous coppers without any problems ever!! :D

As far as the info I found out before, if you can fit a standard UK size plate on the front, then you are supposed to do so. And you CAN fit one to either the 89 - 97 and 99 spec OEM bumpers.

 

So be warned, it doesn't matter what you have written down, if it can be fitted properly, and you've got a smaller one fitted, then it is illegal!!

 

Many thanks for the input , lads ; much appreciated .

Jez , I haven`t fitted it yet , but when I do I`ll just use the double-sided stickers without screws and keep the original " windbreak " in the boot :rofl:

It isn't legal as there is a specifide plate size, but most MOT stations just overlook it, but the Zelous copper won't

 

http://www.sandhurstautoprint.co.uk/legislation.html#DVLA%20Legislation

 

According to the link posted by Coopers, all sizes refer to the characters and not the actual plate size.

 

After all, the law was changed so that roadside cameras can read a number plate - so if you have a personalized reg with fewer characters, surely the extra couple of inches of blank number plate either side can be dispensed with?

 

Richard

Well it states it right there on that link....

 

...

IMPORTED VEHICLES

Certain imported vehicles may be permitted to display number plates with smaller characters if:

The vehicle does not have European Community whole vehicle type approval AND the vehicles construction / design cannot accommodate standard size number plates.

 

There is, and never has been, any question regarding the rear plate, it fits a hole. It's the front plate that will get you a fine!! Because there is NO restriction on you fitting a standard plate.

Well it states it right there on that link....

 

 

 

There is, and never has been, any question regarding the rear plate, it fits a hole. It's the front plate that will get you a fine!! Because there is NO restriction on you fitting a standard plate.

 

As I said in my earlier post, that link refers to character size, not plate size ;)

 

Originally Posted by sandhurstautoprint

...

IMPORTED VEHICLES

Certain imported vehicles may be permitted to display number plates with smaller characters if:

As I said in my earlier post, that link refers to character size, not plate size ;)

 

Originally Posted by sandhurstautoprint

...

IMPORTED VEHICLES

Certain imported vehicles may be permitted to display number plates with smaller characters if:

But that's my whole point, it doesn't meet both of those requirements though! Because there is nothing stopping you fitting a proper size front plate!

Don't get me wrong, as it doesn't bother me at all, as I've been running around with mine on for just over three years now :D and I'll continue to, until I'm nicked for it, then, if I'm required to prove it, I'll put my old plate back on..... And then i'll put the small one back on again afterwards and carry on useing it :D :rofl:

...............Don't get me wrong, as it doesn't bother me at all, as I've been running around with mine on for just over three years now :D and I'll continue to, until I'm nicked for it, then, if I'm required to prove it, I'll put my old plate back on..... And then i'll put the small one back on again afterwards and carry on useing it :D :rofl:

 

Likewise mate! :D ;)

LOL @ Dave and Richard....wouldn't be funny if it wasn't true....as I'd do exactly the same!! hehe

anyone have the exact size of a jdm rear number plate so i can give that website correct dimensions for the rear plate size..( sorry dont have the car at home yet to do it myself )

But that's my whole point, it doesn't meet both of those requirements though! Because there is nothing stopping you fitting a proper size front plate!

Don't get me wrong, as it doesn't bother me at all, as I've been running around with mine on for just over three years now :D and I'll continue to, until I'm nicked for it, then, if I'm required to prove it, I'll put my old plate back on..... And then i'll put the small one back on again afterwards and carry on useing it :D :rofl:

I agree with Dave.

 

The rear HAS to have a JDM sized plate due to the recess moulded in to the bumper.

 

The front does NOT have to have a JDM sized plate as there is no physical restriction on the size you can fit. (I have a UK plate on the front of my '99 spec bumper.)

i.e. A non UK plate IS illegal. Just because you get away with it does not change that.

Just measured the back.

 

It is 360mmx170mm overall so you would need to go about 10mm fewer.

 

Darrell

Hi,

My rear jspec plate is 330mm x 170mm.

I cut out a piece of card the same size as the 3/4 plate to see what it would look like on the front.

I think I will order one for the front, as the Jspec mounting plate is quite small and a normal UK plate will be too big.

My current plate is square and blocks the airflow.

 

 

Cheerz,

Jez

It seems to me that if you can build something onto the front bumper (on an Imported car) that looked like it was meant to be the proper housing for a plate you would get away with a small plate? I'll let you know how I get on. :D

 

this is mine and I think it might take the pi55 a bit but I am going to try it with my new bumper. Mind you I have nothing said yet by the police?