Marc's X7, C3 Aircross, Rants, Raves & Everything Else

[GiveMeABreak]

So I though it was about time I had my own blog , so I don't have to keep hijacking everyone else's!

So first off car number plates:

I find I need a new rear number plate - those Halfrauds ones are totally useless.

So now I'm looking through all the in-line suppliers, but of course the legit ones require you to send off things like driving licence / passport and documents evidencing entitlement to the plate. Who in their right mind is going to send that sort of personal documentation to an online supplier to make a copy for records for the DVLA? I am not comfortable with that at all. Yet I see there are several places that will make them up to the legal requirement without wanting to see anything. Yet I can't seem to find them on the DVLA supplier list, so have to conclude that they are not approved and so if I got a plate made up, they would have their name as a supplier at the bottom of the plate, but not their code (?).

It's totally ridiculous considering as long as the plate is legally spaced, correct font and without fancy non-approved badges it will be identical to one made by an approved plate supplier and half the price.

What would you do? If anyone wants to clone a plate and commit a crime they can just do it regardless by matching a vehicle on the road....

[Paul-R]

I sometimes go with my brother to autojumbles and there's usually someone there who makes up number plates.

I had an extra rear number plate made for my X7 now that I've fitted a towbar. No problems and, a nice touch, no free advertising by being forced to have the maker's name on the lower edge.

[Gibbo2286]

I thought having the maker's name was obligatory.

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, I think it's a joke - I have now found another company that just need a scanned copy of said docs - I'm still not happy with that - I mean under the data protection GDPR that can't be right leaving those sort of crucial paper copies with a company - who knows how secure they keep that info - next they'll be flogging your passport details to somebody for a hefty price.

I think I'm going to get one made up without and anything gets said at a later date - I shall feign ignorance and tell them "I paid for them and they are legally spaced Guv - if they are not legit, why haven't you closed them down as they've been operating for 15 years" type of thing.

I'd rather do that then leaving those docs with anyone.

[Gibbo2286]

Quite a few local garages have the kit to knock some up Marc, it's worth asking, I used to have it for prettying up the used cars but sold mine long ago.
Ask your MOT man.

[GiveMeABreak]

I thought having the maker's name was obligatory.

So my research says:

To have a number plate made for your vehicle, you must go to a Registered Number Plate Supplier (RNPS). You can find details of your nearest RNPS at www.gov.uk/displaying-number-plates

You will need to produce at least one document from each of the lists below to allow the RNPS to confirm your name, address and your entitlement to the registration number. All documents must be original. We do not accept copies

Documents to show entitlement to the registration number:

• the Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C)
• the New keeper’s details section (V5C/2) of the V5C
• a Certificate of Entitlement (V750)
• a Retention Document (V778)
• a reminder to get vehicle tax or make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) (V11) or (V11(NI))
• a Temporary Registration Certificate (V379)
• a Number Plate Authorisation Certificate (V948/EV948) with an official DVLA stamp
• a letter of authorisation from a fleet operator, lease company or hire company (the letter must quote the document reference number from the V5C, not the vehicle identification number).

Documents to confirm your name and address

• a driving licence, with or without a photo, whether or not it was issued in the United Kingdom
• an electricity, gas, water or landline phone bill, council tax bill or Northern Ireland rates bill issued within the last six months
• a bank or building society statement issued within the last six months
• a national identity card issued by the government of a state or territory other than the United Kingdom.

Documents to confirm your name only

• a passport (whether or not it was issued in the United Kingdom)
• a debit card or credit card issued by a bank or building society
• a police warrant card
• an armed forces identity card.

The British Standard sets out the characteristics of the number plate. This includes visibility, strength and reflectivity. To meet the British Standard, each number plate must be permanently and legibly marked with the following information:

• the British Standard number (currently BS AU 145d)
• the name, trademark or other way of identifying the manufacturer or supplier
• the name and postcode of the supplying outlet.

So the plate maker includes their name at the bottom of the plate and the British Standards number - so as far as I can see confirms to everything above, with the exception I am not going to provide any documents and they don't require them - suits me.

[GiveMeABreak]

Quite a few local garages have the kit to knock some up Marc, it's worth asking, I used to have it for prettying up the used cars but sold mine long ago.
Ask your MOT man.

Yes, thanks Gibbo - I see from the first bit of the DVLA response that you 'must go to a Registered Number Plate Supplier' - but this only allows you to put a postcode in and find one at that location - pathetic if you want one made online or elsewhere, so that is totally useless as is their spreadsheet I downloaded, which is pretty useless too.

[MikeT]

My experiences are likely out of date (some 10 years ago), looking at the lengthy list of requirements but the last plate I had made for a trailer (on the spot by the trailer company I rented from) only wanted my ID.
I too hate the idea of advertising for a company and remove any stickers etc on my car if I can.

[EDC5]

No to hijack anything, but are pressed plates allowed providing they conform to that list of regs?

I really like the euro looking pressed plates in a black plate holder and think it would be a nice change.

As it happens I need to get a new rear plate as currently when it heats up it expands and kinks out in the middle!

[GiveMeABreak]

Hijacking welcome here Elis . The rules say that they have to be made of reflective material and be black lettering (3D is ok), with no background, Black on yellow for rear, black lettering on white for front, so I don’t see why not.

I’m still trying to find a half decent one that is better quality than my previous overpriced Halfords rubbish.

[EDC5]

That's good

I've been following a heated discussion on PH https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/top ... 679983&i=0 where some people seem to think that only acrylic is allowed. There are some bis of legislation floating around but the legislation itself says that the plate can be made of any material providing it meets the proper reflectivity requirements.

[DHallworth]

I like dealer number plates. I popped into my local Citroen dealer with my proof of ID and the logbook and walked out with 2 plates.

Think I paid about a tenner a piece.

David.

[GiveMeABreak]

That’s good value David. This time round I’m ditching all flags too as I’m thinking less is more.

[EDC5]

Yeah, I've never liked the flags on number plates. Although it does save you needing a separate GB badge when driving abroad.

These don't seem too bad, for the money: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Pressed-n ... 3004816068

They include the relevant BS regs too on the plate. Seem a bit cheap though.

[GiveMeABreak]

They seem ok, but they want you to send original documents off! So that counts them out for me Elis unfortunately.