Legal Number Plate

[Thaleshwar]

Hi,

I understand any motorbike registered after 2001 should have rear number plate and registration should be printed in 2 lines, my SV650S is February 2002 registered! but carries the single line number plate (approx 23cm) but with legal font, looks really nice..

I know it will fail the MOT as its legal requirement, but I can switch plates for MOT and revert back when done.

Keeping in mind everything is legal i.e. No, plate surface, font, character size "except" instead of being in 2 line its in single 1 line, What are the chances I will be stopped by police? are they too strict about single or double line registration? Is it a big offence?

Will appreciate some comments.

Thanks & Regards,

[BillyC]

Single line just attracts attention IMO.

However, the 7x9 legal minimum is a bit of an eye sore!

[Patch]

A single line plate is actually more likely to get you pulled than a "smaller" than legal two line plate, even if the font is legal sized.

Dibble just hates it.

Invest in an 8 x 5 two line plate.

[sv650nutter149]

hey there,
i have spoken to the guys at work today and they have informed me that ALL one line number plates are illegal no matter what size it is. dunno y. its wierd... ne more info just ask

[NedSVS]

I would steer clear of any illegal number plate, especially if you like to go to popular bike meeting places where you are easy meat for the police. I was in Hawes (north Yorks) about 18 months ago when the R6 owner parked next to me was issued a ticket for a one line plate :!: I take advantage of the fact that bikes registered prior to 1/9/01 can display a three line plate (with the plate turned 90deg to the normal orientation), allowing me to tuck my high level pipe in closer :) The regulations can be found at http://www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/regmarks/reg_marks_current_requirements.htm

[socommk23]

i was pulled over for having a 7 by 6 numberplate and illigal font, given a pink slip for an mot to be done cos of this, took bike to shop and was then told the numberplate is not part of the mot!!!! so they stamped it without looking!!

[Viney]

Single line just attracts attention IMO.

However, the 7x9 legal minimum is a bit of an eye sore!

Mines causing a 20mph drag effect at top speed!! :roll: :lol: Must get round to De-Moting my bike this weekend :twisted:

[Cloggsy]

hey there,
i have spoken to the guys at work today and they have informed me that ALL one line number plates are illegal no matter what size it is. dunno y. its wierd... ne more info just ask

Well, except the ones on cars, buses, lorries & alike :roll: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Cloggsy]

Single line just attracts attention IMO.

However, the 7x9 legal minimum is a bit of an eye sore!

Mines causing a 20mph drag effect at top speed!! :roll: :lol: Must get round to De-Moting my bike this weekend :twisted:

What bike you got now Viney :?:

[jambo]

I tend to think illegal plates aren't worth it, but I am considering getting one printed up without the stupid "Carnell" logo on the bottom :roll:

[Viney]

Single line just attracts attention IMO.

However, the 7x9 legal minimum is a bit of an eye sore!

Mines causing a 20mph drag effect at top speed!! :roll: :lol: Must get round to De-Moting my bike this weekend :twisted:

What bike you got now Viney :?:

Same one. Never sold it in the end :(

[andy]

Get a 6 digit plate, legal size is 7" x 6.5" (as opposed to 9" x 7"), which looks so much better.

I just bought a nice one for my TLR (xxx TLR), all in cost £350 and I am fully legal!

It also means that a sinlge line plate will be even shorter (although still illegal).

I wish the government would just reserve all 6 digits for bikes and 7 for cars - they do something similar in Oz and I think it works really well.

[Viney]

Get a 6 digit plate, legal size is 7" x 6.5" (as opposed to 9" x 7"), which looks so much better.

I just bought a nice one for my TLR (xxx TLR), all in cost £350 and I am fully legal!

It also means that a sinlge line plate will be even shorter (although still illegal).

I wish the government would just reserve all 6 digits for bikes and 7 for cars - they do something similar in Oz and I think it works really well.
My private plate is like that. It also works the same if you have 2 ones in the reg

[andy]

My private plate is like that. It also works the same if you have 2 ones in the reg

Really? All the info I can find talks about 6 digit plates - it doesnt mention the actual letters/numbers.

Although ??11 TLR would look silly on a 9" x 7" because of the excess border.

All I need to do now is find a 1 digit plate :-)

[NedSVS]

As far as I can make out from the regulations the size of the plate is not important. As long as you follow the rules on letter size and spacing you can then trim the plate to leave the minimum border margin (11mm). People with one or more number 1's in their registration could make a seven digit plate which is little or no bigger than a six digit plate. Rory's Plates on 0114 2467679 / 07734 105611 (or you can find him on Ebay) made my three line plate to my exact specification, including trimming the background to the size I wanted.

[KayDee]

Character Height
64mm

Character Width
44mm

Character Stroke
10mm

Space between characters
10mm

Space between groups
30mm

Top, side & bottom margin
11mm

Space between vertical lines
13mm

I've bought myself a 6 digit reg and am I trying to work out the min size plate I could have, down to the exact mm. I don't understand what the space between vertical lines is referring to. Does any one know for sure. What space do I need between the top and bottom lines of text?

[NedSVS]

KayDee asked,

Does any one know for sure. What space do I need between the top and bottom lines of text?

Thats the "space between vertical lines 13mm" you highlighted in red.

[KayDee]

KayDee asked,

Does any one know for sure. What space do I need between the top and bottom lines of text?

Thats the "space between vertical lines 13mm" you highlighted in red.

Surely the lines of text are horizontal?

[haggis]

It depends how you read and interpret that bit.

A space between vertical lines.
Either the two vertical strokes stacked one above the other must have a 13mm gap.
Or it should have been written as 'The vertical space between the lines' (of text).

Either way that is the only dimension it can relate to.




I think the reason one-line plates are not allowed on bikes is that they stick out too far and could wobble in the breeze at 100mph so much so they are unreadable.

[KayDee]

So a bare minimum legal plate to house my six digit reg would be 174mm x 163mm or approximately 6.9" inch x 6.5"? Kick ass :D

[andy]

I have just got a fully legal 6 digit plate with 2 number 1's in it and it measures 7" wide by 6.5" high - looks great!

www.malplates.co.uk