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Is a front registration plate mandatory??

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
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mcbutler
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Is a front registration plate mandatory??

Post by mcbutler » Sat Sep 16, 2017 6:20 pm

Hi All,

I have recently noticed a few cars in my area happily zipping around with no front number plates!
I am guessing that as a motorcycle has no front plate then it cannot be mandatory for a car surely?

Any legally educated boffins know the answer to this one??
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Is a front registration plate mandatory??

Post by bmwaddict » Sat Sep 16, 2017 6:22 pm

It is a legal requirement in the u.k. and has to be on the outside of the car, not legal in the windscreen etc. Different rules to motorcycles.
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Is a front registration plate mandatory??

Post by bob4333 » Sun Sep 17, 2017 8:31 am

Sunday morning trivia alert

IIRC the requirement for a bike to have one went out when someone twigged that the old vertical number plate attached to the front mudguard had the same action as a bacon slicer when involved in an accident.

DVLA say:-

Motorcycles and motor tricycles registered on or after 1 September 2001 must only display a number plate at the rear of the vehicle.

If you ride a motorbike or motor tricycle registered before 1 September 2001 you can also display a number plate at the front, but you don’t have to.

So if your bike is pre Sep 2001 it's OK to slice someone up. Newer than Sep 2001 and you mustn't do it!
Last edited by bob4333 on Sun Sep 17, 2017 9:27 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Taz
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Is a front registration plate mandatory??

Post by Taz » Sun Sep 17, 2017 8:44 am

Was it not cheaper to be fined for not having number plate than being caught by a speed camera?

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Is a front registration plate mandatory??

Post by Maniac » Sun Sep 17, 2017 9:17 am

mcbutler wrote: Sat Sep 16, 2017 6:20 pm Hi All,

I have recently noticed a few cars in my area happily zipping around with no front number plates!
I am guessing that as a motorcycle has no front plate then it cannot be mandatory for a car surely?

Any legally educated boffins know the answer to this one??
As with everything illegal, it's a level of risk.

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Is a front registration plate mandatory??

Post by Ewazix » Sun Sep 17, 2017 9:25 am

mcbutler wrote: Sat Sep 16, 2017 6:20 pm I am guessing that as a motorcycle has no front plate then it cannot be mandatory for a car surely?
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Is a front registration plate mandatory??

Post by MACK » Sun Sep 17, 2017 10:03 am

It does seem to becoming a bit of a fad, albeit an illegal one in the UK. It reminds me of all those number plates with different fonts 20 years ago. Illegal, but they seemed to be everywhere for a few years.
There's probably a few factors feeding it
1) 5 minutes on the net will tell you most cars look miles better without them and it pisses people off we have to have them in the UK when so many other countries aren't bothered.
2) People are prepared to chance it due to the lack of cops on the road, particularly traffic cops these days. Even if a copper walks past a parked car on a public road with no plate, in this day and age are they really likely to bother doing anything about it? I seriously doubt it.
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Is a front registration plate mandatory??

Post by dhobbs » Sun Sep 17, 2017 10:05 am

I thought it was cheaper for the fine than if you had an incorrect number plate (i.e. wrong font, too small etc.).
The latter attracted points whereas not having one is purely a fine ( it fell off officer!)

It is a legal requirement though, but as mentioned, the risk of getting caught is low as there's not many police around and this would be more paperwork for them.

One thing for me though, is the more attention you draw the more likely you'll be pulled. But that front plate hanger on the e85/e86 is hideous.
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Is a front registration plate mandatory??

Post by ph001 » Sun Sep 17, 2017 10:13 am

Bearing in mind that all average speed cameras on the motorways use the front plate for recognition, I'm surprised the law is not tougher on this.
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mcbutler
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Is a front registration plate mandatory??

Post by mcbutler » Sun Sep 17, 2017 1:17 pm

ph001 wrote: Sun Sep 17, 2017 10:13 am Bearing in mind that all average speed cameras on the motorways use the front plate for recognition, I'm surprised the law is not tougher on this.
Which again raises the question "why are motorcycles allowed on the road with no front plate?' Bit of discrimination going on..
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Is a front registration plate mandatory??

Post by Smartbear » Sun Sep 17, 2017 1:47 pm

mcbutler wrote: Sun Sep 17, 2017 1:17 pm
ph001 wrote: Sun Sep 17, 2017 10:13 am Bearing in mind that all average speed cameras on the motorways use the front plate for recognition, I'm surprised the law is not tougher on this.
Which again raises the question "why are motorcycles allowed on the road with no front plate?' Bit of discrimination going on..
It's practicalities, as previously mentioned it's dangerous to have a front mounted plate on a bike so that's why they're treated differently :thumbsup:
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Is a front registration plate mandatory??

Post by Dav the wheel nut » Sun Sep 17, 2017 2:29 pm

mcbutler wrote: Sun Sep 17, 2017 1:17 pm
ph001 wrote: Sun Sep 17, 2017 10:13 am Bearing in mind that all average speed cameras on the motorways use the front plate for recognition, I'm surprised the law is not tougher on this.
Which again raises the question "why are motorcycles allowed on the road with no front plate?' Bit of discrimination going on..
Really? You'll be telling me Sikhs wearing turbans don't need to wear a crash helmet next :wink:

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Is a front registration plate mandatory??

Post by Confused® » Sun Sep 17, 2017 3:46 pm

I have also noticed this, as has been said no police around to stop you, if you are unlucky enough to go through a police check point its a case of a £30 fine and a Sorry officer it must have fallen off.

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