MK5 Golf GTI

General => Random Chat => Topic started by: AjayB on December 22, 2011, 05:44:58 pm

Title: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on December 22, 2011, 05:44:58 pm
Stupid police gave me a fine today for having metal pressed plates on my car, they are done on the correct font which conforms to uk regulations! I was told that its against the law to have letters that are slightly raised? Is this correct?  :sad1:
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: sub39h on December 22, 2011, 05:48:00 pm
wrong. contest it.

http://www.regtransfers.co.uk/main/car_numberplates_regulations.asp
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: SteveP on December 22, 2011, 05:49:05 pm
Are the plates BS marked?
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: MPS on December 22, 2011, 05:51:17 pm
Are the plates BS marked?

+1 The plates should have BSAU145d printed on the bottom in small text. This refers to the approved standard for UK road use. Throw the book at them.  :fighting:
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: MPS on December 22, 2011, 05:52:16 pm
Further info:

http://www.bnma.org/bsaua45d.htm (http://www.bnma.org/bsaua45d.htm)
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: WhiteGTI on December 22, 2011, 05:54:30 pm
As everyone above has said!

FYI - i got my legal metal pressed plates from here: http://www.dubmeister.co.uk/
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: KevMK5 on December 22, 2011, 05:55:42 pm
summarised the gov guidelines


SUMMARY: What is required and permitted on UK road-legal number plates

Required:

White front plate (to British Standard BS AU 145d)
Yellow rear plate (to British Standard BS AU 145d)
The registration number of the bearer vehicle in the mandatory font (black ‘Charles Wright 2001’)
Spacing of characters and character groups in accordance with the measurements specified in the regulations. Variation is not permitted

Permitted but not required:

3D variation of the mandatory ‘Charles Wright 2001’ font
Coloured, non-reflective border
National emblem: English St George Cross with “ENG” legend, Scottish St Andrew Cross with “SCO” legend, Welsh Dragon with “WALES” and “CYMRU” legend, British Union Flag with “GB” legend) or Euro Stars symbol with “GB” legend.

No additions or variations are permitted. Common illegal variations are:

Fancy or decorative typefaces
Bolts placed in such a way as to alter the appearance of characters
Adjusted spacing between characters or character groups
Altered characters
Additional logos or symbols, such as sporting emblems and religious symbols.


taken from http://www.regtransfers.co.uk/main/car_numberplates_regulations.asp


depending on the officer as far as i know you either get a Vehicle defect rectification notice, which gives you 7 days to remove the "defect" (mod) get the ticket stamped to say the car is legal and take into a police station,
or
you get a ticket. again depending on what the mod is depends what fine you get.


Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: rich83 on December 22, 2011, 05:57:44 pm
The police are obviously a bit short on funds for their Christmas party!  :signLOL:
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on December 22, 2011, 06:00:34 pm
Hi guys, yes just been to look at them now and they plates to have BSAU145d printed on the outter rim of the plate close to where the PostCode of the maker is marked! :star: I told them so many times that they do conform to uk use and they were adamant that i was wrong!
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: KevMK5 on December 22, 2011, 06:01:18 pm
another factor i find aswell is the "attitude test"

2 mates of mine both got pulled by the same officer locally.
1 - got out and was an arse. got fined.
1 - got out all polite with standard plates in boot, got a lecture and sent away all good.


Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: rich83 on December 22, 2011, 06:02:50 pm
This is what you need to print off and keep in your car... Government Run Website!

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/PersonalisedRegAndNumberPlates/DG_181503
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: sub39h on December 22, 2011, 06:03:37 pm
Hi guys, yes just been to look at them now and they plates to have BSAU145d printed on the outter rim of the plate close to where the PostCode of the maker is marked! :star: I told them so many times that they do conform to uk use and they were adamant that i was wrong!

if it were me i'd now be doing everything in my power to make the officers' life very difficult. first thing i'd be doing is reporting the incident to their supervisor.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on December 22, 2011, 06:08:50 pm
I were being very pleasant and asked to be let off so i can change them as soon as i got home but was told its not us who issue the tickets its the DVLA! Then the copper took pictures of the car and plates on his mobile phone which confused me a little! The ticket i got was just a fixed penalty notice offence code 0309 VRM not conforming to regulations! They also were having a go at me about my indicators set as side lights, which i kindly told them is not an offence at all so i wouldn't accept any ticket for them!
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: KevMK5 on December 22, 2011, 06:09:44 pm
as above really, i suggest contesting it as it looks like they are legal

best bet is go to your local station and start the ball rolling, probably find you need to put the fact you want to contest in writing.

if you have the ticket infront of you it will have written on it (possibly the back) the appeals process.

Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: sub39h on December 22, 2011, 06:10:30 pm
i wouldn't have even said that you were gonna change them when you got home. you'd done nothing wrong
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on December 22, 2011, 06:17:02 pm
i wouldn't have even said that you were gonna change them when you got home. you'd done nothing wrong
I just took their word for it at the time so wanted to sound compliant lol!

as above really, i suggest contesting it as it looks like they are legal

best bet is go to your local station and start the ball rolling, probably find you need to put the fact you want to contest in writing.

if you have the ticket infront of you it will have written on it (possibly the back) the appeals process.


The ticket i have got doesn't have any appeals process on it, only the option to pay or go to court! i will have to get down to the cop shop tomorrow and complain!

They probably stopped me thinking a young guy driving a nice car must me dodgy, it's happened many of times before driving my dads C Class for no reason! They need to find better things to do with their duties on the job. What annoyed me most was that they were infront of me, and just stopped with the lights on and got me out of my my car. I don't know how they saw the plates from where they were :S They didn't even bother to get my car or theirs in a safe place on the side of the road, the cars were just left in the right hand lane of when a dual carriage way is just about to become one lane!
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: WhiteGTI on December 22, 2011, 06:25:15 pm
To be fair to them it must be hard to memorise every little intricate detail of the law considering they don't really even study law. But yes, it is frustrating when this happens. My best mate's a copper and I've caught him out on a few things to do with car legalities myself! Not confidence inspiring though is it haha!
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: sub39h on December 22, 2011, 06:28:52 pm
To be fair to them it must be hard to memorise every little intricate detail of the law considering they don't really even study law. But yes, it is frustrating when this happens. My best mate's a copper and I've caught him out on a few things to do with car legalities myself! Not confidence inspiring though is it haha!

yeah but basics like this? it's not really acceptable is it... another member has had his garage broken into and he's received no assitance whatsoever, and the OP's been pulled over and fined for doing absolutely nothing wrong. the police forces in this country need to get their priorities right.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on December 22, 2011, 06:30:47 pm
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fj355%2FAjaybhatoa%2Fb6c1d25d.jpg&hash=d4cc1f743503a507f9840e531c1bfbacdde56099)

The offending plate, nothing wrong with it at all!!  :stupid:
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: KevMK5 on December 22, 2011, 06:35:07 pm
cant win really can they..


every force will be different, every officer will be different,






Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: vRS_Pagey on December 22, 2011, 06:37:47 pm
Get yourself down the cop shop and kick butt fella, absolutely nothing wrong with that plate, below is an example of the Charles Wright 2001 font........

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.numberplateclassifieds.co.uk%2Fimages%2Fnumber_plate_spacing_clip_image.jpg&hash=49ec94a635bc26281c1aad4867d1dba6de08613b)

I can't tell the difference!  :stupid:
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on December 22, 2011, 06:48:13 pm
Cheers for the help guys! i definitely will be be throwing up a stink tomorrow! if only i was 100% sure earlier when i got pulled over i could have argued all day about it! Oh well, ill give them some grief tomorrow!  :signLOL:
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: PDT on December 22, 2011, 08:35:44 pm
Do plates need to be reflective? Are these reflective?
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on December 22, 2011, 08:36:44 pm
Do plates need to be reflective? Are these reflective?
Hey yes they do need to be reflective and these are!
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: SO8 on December 23, 2011, 04:46:40 pm
Write a letter to the officer in charge of where the PC is based explaining he must be mistaken and enclosing a copy of the documentation to prove your point and a copy of the ticket.  The ticket process should be put on hold whilst your complaint is investigated.

If you are right the officer simply needs a bit of guidance.  The ticket will then get cancelled.  The officer will then get abused by his colleagues. 

Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on December 31, 2011, 08:27:54 pm
I've been told one of the problems on the plate is the letter A. Does anyone see a problem with it? (https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fj355%2FAjaybhatoa%2F10c0ac78.jpg&hash=4b71c4eca0c825e60479bdc90221be430cd47db3)
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Eccie on December 31, 2011, 10:22:43 pm
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fj355%2FAjaybhatoa%2Fb6c1d25d.jpg&hash=d4cc1f743503a507f9840e531c1bfbacdde56099)

The offending plate, nothing wrong with it at all!!  :stupid:

I am no expert on plates, however, the A is not very clear or distinct on that photo - could be my eyes :xmassmiley:
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: E30Dom on January 01, 2012, 11:52:19 am
The top half of the A looks too thick and not enough space in the middle... Could be that... Might be a ase their anpr didn't throw back data cis it couldn't read it... In which case they aren't right... Whole point of standardised plates is to work with such systems...

I'd kick up stink with police first, and if no joy, go back to where you bought them, reporting them to trading standards to as the bs stamp has absolutely no relevance if they aren't acceptable to police...

Someones in wrong here... Police or manufacturer...
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: tony_danza on January 01, 2012, 12:23:18 pm
I guess the best thing would have been to look for a Police car with an A in the plate and look at it with the officer - if it is comparable to yours, then they can't argue, if it isn't, they have a point.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Viking on January 01, 2012, 03:05:29 pm
Who manufactured your plates for you btw?
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on January 01, 2012, 03:17:31 pm
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pressed-Metal-number-plates-100-ROAD-LEGAL-/120751545173?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c1d5a5b55#ht_1243wt_1142

These are the plates that i got from this eBay seller. i've contacted him last week and he is also adamant that they are LEGAL!
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Viking on January 01, 2012, 03:35:25 pm
Seems like he's used the wrong font. He's listed them as using Charles Wright font. The legal font is Charles Wight.

Anyway, I'd suggest asking him if he'll provide you with a plate which isn't going to get you pulled with the Police and also ask him why his details are not registered with DVLA as a registered numberplate supplier. What suppliers name is actually on the plates?
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on January 01, 2012, 04:08:52 pm
The font is actually Charles Wright.. there is no such thing as Charles Wight is there?
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Viking on January 01, 2012, 04:27:28 pm
The font is actually Charles Wight. Common misconception is that it's Wright, but it isn't.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on January 01, 2012, 04:37:56 pm

White front plate (to British Standard BS AU 145d)
Yellow rear plate (to British Standard BS AU 145d)
The registration number of the bearer vehicle in the mandatory font (black ‘Charles Wright 2001’)
Spacing of characters and character groups in accordance with the measurements specified in the regulations. Variation is not permitted
 

This is from regtransfers website.. States it as Wright, even googled nothing comes up for Charles Wight Mate.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on January 01, 2012, 04:45:27 pm
I may ask the maker of the plate to compensate me for the plates and fine as I were under the impression he had made them correctly.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Viking on January 01, 2012, 05:15:09 pm
To be fair, the registration font is actually "based on the Charles Wight font" , but it is Wight, not Wright. And all the Google answers throwing up Wright are incorrect (says he sticking his neck right out....).  :scared:
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: E30Dom on January 01, 2012, 05:57:52 pm
http://www.leewardpro.com/articles/licplatefonts/font-carplates.html

And if you look at the 'A' yours seems wrong. I'd be wanting my money back.....
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Viking on January 01, 2012, 06:21:09 pm
In a (fruitless) search for any government documentation containing the words "Charles Wight" or "Charles Wright", I dug up the actual legislation regarding numberplates and their required fonts. Link. (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2001/561/part/III/made)

Note the "Style of characters - Section 15" at the bottom of the page, specifically Paragraph 2.

Quote
Except in a case to which paragraph (1) applies, each of the characters of the registration mark must either be in the prescribed font or in a style which is substantially similar to the prescribed font so that the character is easily distinguishable and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of those requirements, characters must not be formed in any way described in paragraph (4) or in a manner which is similar to any of those ways.

That's interesting....
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: E30Dom on January 01, 2012, 06:35:08 pm
It is...

Go down the cop shop and.... :booty:

Still waiting for the Charles "Wight" :P
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Viking on January 01, 2012, 06:43:52 pm
As regards the Wight - Wright argument. It's a moot point, as the official legislation refers only to "the prescribed font" and details what it is. There's no mention of the actual font name, but memory tells me it is based on Charles Wight. People quoting either Wight or Wright are technically incorrect.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on January 01, 2012, 07:01:43 pm
In a (fruitless) search for any government documentation containing the words "Charles Wight" or "Charles Wright", I dug up the actual legislation regarding numberplates and their required fonts. Link. (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2001/561/part/III/made)

Note the "Style of characters - Section 15" at the bottom of the page, specifically Paragraph 2.

Quote
Except in a case to which paragraph (1) applies, each of the characters of the registration mark must either be in the prescribed font or in a style which is substantially similar to the prescribed font so that the character is easily distinguishable and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of those requirements, characters must not be formed in any way described in paragraph (4) or in a manner which is similar to any of those ways.

That's interesting....

Could you send me a link to this document please dude? That's a very interesting find tbh.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Viking on January 01, 2012, 07:22:08 pm
There's a link in the post there. Click the word "Link".  :happy2:
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: sub39h on January 02, 2012, 05:06:55 pm
I've been told one of the problems on the plate is the letter A. Does anyone see a problem with it? (https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fj355%2FAjaybhatoa%2F10c0ac78.jpg&hash=4b71c4eca0c825e60479bdc90221be430cd47db3)

i took a photo of my Audi dealer plate (hopefully a decent benchmark for comparative purposes). rear isn't the best example due to the position of the mounting bolt, but surely i could get in just as much trouble for that as you have for your "A"?

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fyy209%2Fsub39h%2FIMG_2122.jpg&hash=4b5d4df97d4d9119b83d9d00b471ff4933cf2277)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fyy209%2Fsub39h%2FIMG_2123.jpg&hash=6e32936e1b81958115dd5e8d23c9ad5ee3f9456f)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fyy209%2Fsub39h%2FIMG_2124.jpg&hash=83b18263ed8b22aa1c7349ec79d1219f76fdfccf)
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: E30Dom on January 02, 2012, 08:01:32 pm
Mmmm... The plot thickens... But reckon you've surely got a case...
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Boothy on January 02, 2012, 08:31:12 pm
Why do people always love to jump on the Police for making a mistake. Does my fooking tits in!

Unfortunately the police spend a vast amount of there time having to teach parents how to bring there kids up correctly and deal with stupid members of the public who think Carol Singers should be arrested as they are intimidating. Therefore not every minute change to the legislation covering every little think is conveyed or remembered.
 It should, yes, but its not always possible.

Simply opt to go to Court, take your plates with you and send a short letter to the Force Solicitor asking to be compensated for any lost earnings caused by attendting court. No need to try and bust any ones balls because one day that might be you who make a mistake at work and would you want all the hassle causing? I think not!

 And as for the ridiculous remarks like the one which refer to the police not doing anything about a burglary or shed burglary why don't you just get a grip on reality. Was the crime witnessed, were there any forensics left at the scene etc etc. They can't just make sh*t up to investigate. If there ain't sh*t to do, there ain't sh*t to do!
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: edd666999 on January 02, 2012, 09:45:28 pm
Why do people always love to jump on the Police for making a mistake. Does my fooking tits in!

Unfortunately the police spend a vast amount of there time having to teach parents how to bring there kids up correctly and deal with stupid members of the public who think Carol Singers should be arrested as they are intimidating. Therefore not every minute change to the legislation covering every little think is conveyed or remembered.
 It should, yes, but its not always possible.

Simply opt to go to Court, take your plates with you and send a short letter to the Force Solicitor asking to be compensated for any lost earnings caused by attendting court. No need to try and bust any ones balls because one day that might be you who make a mistake at work and would you want all the hassle causing? I think not!

 And as for the ridiculous remarks like the one which refer to the police not doing anything about a burglary or shed burglary why don't you just get a grip on reality. Was the crime witnessed, were there any forensics left at the scene etc etc. They can't just make sh*t up to investigate. If there ain't sh*t to do, there ain't sh*t to do!

ditto to this. Police do their job to the best of their ability, want them to spend more time learning changes to law? want them to spend more time looking into the obviously unsolvable cases? Ask the government to increase tax to pay for all those extra officers to cover the ones out looking for your leprechaun you lost two Tuesdays back.

OP you plates look legal i'm sure there will be no issue getting it dismissed.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: rich83 on January 02, 2012, 09:46:59 pm
... the problem arises when the police dont fully understand the law.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Viking on January 02, 2012, 10:10:41 pm
Problem arises when Joe phones the Police to report a garage burglary and gets told in not so many words "Here's a crime number for your insurance. No one will attend because we're too busy arguing with a car owner about the legality of his plates." Plates which to all intents and purposes are legal, stamped as legal, and have attracted a £60 tax revenue fine.

Is it any wonder people have little good to say about the police, really.

When faced with the fact that the plates are as legal as they need to be, why not just say sorry and go catch the burglars, instead of arguing about something they clearly have insufficient knowledge of.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Top Cat on January 02, 2012, 10:16:24 pm
Why do people always love to jump on the Police for making a mistake. Does my fooking tits in!

Unfortunately the police spend a vast amount of there time having to teach parents how to bring there kids up correctly and deal with stupid members of the public who think Carol Singers should be arrested as they are intimidating. Therefore not every minute change to the legislation covering every little think is conveyed or remembered.
 It should, yes, but its not always possible.

Simply opt to go to Court, take your plates with you and send a short letter to the Force Solicitor asking to be compensated for any lost earnings caused by attendting court. No need to try and bust any ones balls because one day that might be you who make a mistake at work and would you want all the hassle causing? I think not!

 And as for the ridiculous remarks like the one which refer to the police not doing anything about a burglary or shed burglary why don't you just get a grip on reality. Was the crime witnessed, were there any forensics left at the scene etc etc. They can't just make sh*t up to investigate. If there ain't sh*t to do, there ain't sh*t to do!

I, 100% agree with this rant.  :congrats:

To add to this traffic police dont just go around pulling people for illegal plates they also have to attend lots of very serious accidents, which unless you are inhuman can only rub off on your attitude to petty motoring offences. I recently had to organise a sort of training day for the 15 guys in our team at work we all do a lot of driving so our company who cares for us, arranged for a retired traffic cop to come in and chat to us all. he showed us lots of statistics of the type of people who are likely to cause accidents on the road  and ways of spotting them. He also told us that he was the family liaison officer who had the job of telling families that their husband, wife or child had just died in a car accident.  He then has to escort them to the morgue to identify there loved ones. He then has to wait in the family home while more family turn up and tell them the same thing.  :sick:
After seeing this once or twice a week on Cheshire's roads he openly admitted that he became very intolerant to any offences on the roads.
I think it would do the same to me to be honest, so sometimes we should give them a bit of slack for being pedantic or inflexible and if we are doing something illegal hold our hand up and accept responsibility for our actions.  ( not pointed at the op with this waffle, just in general. ). 
 
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on January 02, 2012, 10:29:19 pm
... the problem arises when the police dont fully understand the law.
Problem arises when Joe phones the Police to report a garage burglary and gets told in not so many words "Here's a crime number for your insurance. No one will attend because we're too busy arguing with a car owner about the legality of his plates." Plates which to all intents and purposes are legal, stamped as legal, and have attracted a £60 tax revenue fine.

Is it any wonder people have little good to say about the police, really.

When faced with the fact that the plates are as legal as they need to be, why not just say sorry and go catch the burglars, instead of arguing about something they clearly have insufficient knowledge of.



I totally agree with you two.

Tbh, the police shouldn't need to be stuck up for, its their profession to deal with any matter which concerns the law, this in turn means they should indeed know each bit of legislation to do with their area of policing (in this case the so called traffic cops should know exactly what a plate should be like)..  Hats off to the police as they do do some tough things and attend some horrific scenes. But in this country these days it seems the police tend to get 'bored' and just look for things to entertain them. In the case of the plates the police officers in questions knew NOTHING as they even wanted to give me a fine for having my indicators set to be used as 'sidelights' which i kindly corrected them is 100% legal, only blue lights are illegal to which they shut up and backed down from.

Even after speaking with an officer at the station on new years eve, he had his own opinions on how some police decide to spend their time on the job.. he reiterated that they should have known the exact law and if they were deemed to be 'illegal' they should have been removed for evidence if it went to court.

just to put the point across you wouldn't want your childrens maths teacher to not know what 10+10 was, therefore i wouldn't expect a specialised policeman such as a traffic cop to not know the correct legislation either.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: sub39h on January 02, 2012, 10:36:13 pm
Why do people always love to jump on the Police for making a mistake. Does my fooking tits in!

Unfortunately the police spend a vast amount of there time having to teach parents how to bring there kids up correctly and deal with stupid members of the public who think Carol Singers should be arrested as they are intimidating. Therefore not every minute change to the legislation covering every little think is conveyed or remembered.
 It should, yes, but its not always possible.

Simply opt to go to Court, take your plates with you and send a short letter to the Force Solicitor asking to be compensated for any lost earnings caused by attendting court. No need to try and bust any ones balls because one day that might be you who make a mistake at work and would you want all the hassle causing? I think not!

 And as for the ridiculous remarks like the one which refer to the police not doing anything about a burglary or shed burglary why don't you just get a grip on reality. Was the crime witnessed, were there any forensics left at the scene etc etc. They can't just make sh*t up to investigate. If there ain't sh*t to do, there ain't sh*t to do!

I, 100% agree with this rant.  :congrats:

To add to this traffic police dont just go around pulling people for illegal plates they also have to attend lots of very serious accidents, which unless you are inhuman can only rub off on your attitude to petty motoring offences. I recently had to organise a sort of training day for the 15 guys in our team at work we all do a lot of driving so our company who cares for us, arranged for a retired traffic cop to come in and chat to us all. he showed us lots of statistics of the type of people who are likely to cause accidents on the road  and ways of spotting them. He also told us that he was the family liaison officer who had the job of telling families that their husband, wife or child had just died in a car accident.  He then has to escort them to the morgue to identify there loved ones. He then has to wait in the family home while more family turn up and tell them the same thing.  :sick:
After seeing this once or twice a week on Cheshire's roads he openly admitted that he became very intolerant to any offences on the roads.
I think it would do the same to me to be honest, so sometimes we should give them a bit of slack for being pedantic or inflexible and if we are doing something illegal hold our hand up and accept responsibility for our actions.  ( not pointed at the op with this waffle, just in general. ). 
 


just a point with the bit i've put in bold. i got pulled around this time last year for illegal plates. yes i broke the law so the fine is fair. but i don't buy for one second that illegal plates like mine could have given a traffic officer any cause for alarm. i do not for one second condone plates where the characters are of the incorrect type face or are obstructed by bolts and the like, but my number plate was the correct font just spaced DR X XXXX instead of DRXX XXX because it spells my title, first initial and surname.

i wasn't aware that a doctor in a fully insured, well maintained MOT'ed car with good tyres was a threat to society? i don't even have points on my license. i wasn't speeding and i'm waiting to sit my test with IAM so i don't buy that it was my driving style that alerted him.

the week before that my car had been keyed in a car park with CCTV (i.e. there WAS evidence) and when i called the police they actually said to me "if you can get the parking company to review the CCTV for us and identify who it might have been then we'll proceed". ofc the company didn't want to know, and the police had no interest in pursuing it. you can bet they found my dangerous numberplate though and relieved me of my £60.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Top Cat on January 02, 2012, 10:37:17 pm


just to put the point across you wouldn't want your childrens maths teacher to not know what 10+10 was, therefore i wouldn't expect the a specialised policeman such as a traffic cop to not know the correct legislation either.


Yes i would want my child's maths teacher to know what 10 = 10 was.

See you just made a mistake and you have been writing since you were 6.  :wink: lets send you to the gallows.  :fighting2:
Just go and have your day in court if he was wrong then prove him wrong.  :popcornsoda:
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Boothy on January 02, 2012, 10:40:54 pm
What you'll find is that the police are more familiar with law pertaining to things they deal with day to day and sometimes tiny things change that may not be obvious as the info is not used on a regular basis. If an officer knew every minute ser of law they would likely be a very good barrister. Even a solicitor who studies law for year would not know the legislation on plates off the top of there head. An officer is expected to.

As for attending burglaries then what is the point in driving there with the blues and twos on, and risking lives for a job where nobody is in danger and no suspect is still at the scene. Especially when somebody somewhere is being assaulted, stabbed, and murdered or something else that you, in your short sightedness is un aware of.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: rich83 on January 02, 2012, 10:41:16 pm


just to put the point across you wouldn't want your childrens maths teacher to not know what 10+10 was, therefore i wouldn't expect the a specialised policeman such as a traffic cop to not know the correct legislation either.


Yes i would want my child's maths teacher to know what 10 = 10 was.

See you just made a mistake and you have been writing since you were 6.  :wink: lets send you to the gallows.  :fighting2:

Just go and have your day in court if he was wrong then prove him wrong.  :popcornsoda:

But the grammer (hahah) police don't issue you a £60 fine, and then expect you to go here and there to get your money back.

If the police are unsure of the law, they should (in this case) have issued a producer, and the issue regarding the legality of the plate be dealt with at the Police station.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Boothy on January 02, 2012, 10:45:00 pm
The bit where the police have told you to contact the CCTV company is really poor. No excuses for that.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: n13cah on January 02, 2012, 10:45:11 pm
Is the number plate manufacturer listed as an approved supplier by the DVLA?
Anybody can print a BS mark on the bottom.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: edd666999 on January 02, 2012, 10:49:55 pm
... the problem arises when the police dont fully understand the law.
Problem arises when Joe phones the Police to report a garage burglary and gets told in not so many words "Here's a crime number for your insurance. No one will attend because we're too busy arguing with a car owner about the legality of his plates." Plates which to all intents and purposes are legal, stamped as legal, and have attracted a £60 tax revenue fine.

Is it any wonder people have little good to say about the police, really.

When faced with the fact that the plates are as legal as they need to be, why not just say sorry and go catch the burglars, instead of arguing about something they clearly have insufficient knowledge of.



I totally agree with you two.

Tbh, the police shouldn't need to be stuck up for, its their profession to deal with any matter which concerns the law, this in turn means they should indeed know each bit of legislation to do with their area of policing (in this case the so called traffic cops should know exactly what a plate should be like)..  Hats off to the police as they do do some tough things and attend some horrific scenes. But in this country these days it seems the police tend to get 'bored' and just look for things to entertain them. In the case of the plates the police officers in questions knew NOTHING as they even wanted to give me a fine for having my indicators set to be used as 'sidelights' which i kindly corrected them is 100% legal, only blue lights are illegal to which they shut up and backed down from.

Even after speaking with an officer at the station on new years eve, he had his own opinions on how some police decide to spend their time on the job.. he reiterated that they should have known the exact law and if they were deemed to be 'illegal' they should have been removed for evidence if it went to court.

just to put the point across you wouldn't want your childrens maths teacher to not know what 10+10 was, therefore i wouldn't expect a specialised policeman such as a traffic cop to not know the correct legislation either.


Your right i would expect them to know what 10+10 was and i expect the police to know the difference between right and wrong, but i wouldn't expect the maths teacher to read about all the different new ways to work out pie or new ways to do long multiplication, as i wouldn't expect every officer to be able to recite the law on reg plates.

I'm also sure he wasn't sitting there thinking "oh look one of the top10 most wanted just walked past me, actually i will just stop this guy for his plates instead"

Its a shame so many people have a negative opinion of people who IMO do the best with the tools, money and time available to them. There are exceptions to very rule as in every area of life but to tarnish all police because this one guy didn't know the law on reg plates is harsh.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on January 02, 2012, 10:51:40 pm
I'm not too sure if they are an approved supplier to be honest. All i went by is the eBay page, positive feedback and his replies to any questions i had prior to purchase. In a recent email he mentioned that he's never had any problems with the plates he has supplied before.

The link :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pressed-Metal-number-plates-100-ROAD-LEGAL-/120751545173?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c1d5a5b55#ht_1243wt_1142
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Viking on January 02, 2012, 10:52:00 pm
Is the number plate manufacturer listed as an approved supplier by the DVLA?
Anybody can print a BS mark on the bottom.

I asked this, as the company he bought the plates from is not registered as a plate supplier.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on January 02, 2012, 10:57:00 pm
Kwik Fit did say they do conform to the law and are LEGAL in their eyes.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Nasir on January 03, 2012, 01:41:02 am
Ajay go to LK Performance in Cleckheaton and they'll order some Dubmeister plates in for you which are without a doubt legal. They'll give you a receipt so you can show the next officer you're not lying.

Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on January 03, 2012, 01:50:47 am
Cheers Nasir, yes i remember them doing the plates. I'll ask them about getting some made and to check mine for me when i go down to look at some Team Dynamics wheels.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Bikerz on January 03, 2012, 10:06:02 am
To be fair to them it must be hard to memorise every little intricate detail of the law considering they don't really even study law. But yes, it is frustrating when this happens. My best mate's a copper and I've caught him out on a few things to do with car legalities myself! Not confidence inspiring though is it haha!

Very true mates BF said its illegal not to have a spare wheel and hes a copper, I sent him upstairs to get his law book and proved him wrong, and then on a load of other motoring offences. Tho if they arnt sure why do someone for it, he just said he avoids anything hes not 100% on.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Nasir on January 03, 2012, 11:06:51 am
Cheers Nasir, yes i remember them doing the plates. I'll ask them about getting some made and to check mine for me when i go down to look at some Team Dynamics wheels.


Cool, which wheels are you going for? Same as Buzz?
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on January 03, 2012, 01:11:09 pm
Cheers Nasir, yes i remember them doing the plates. I'll ask them about getting some made and to check mine for me when i go down to look at some Team Dynamics wheels.


Cool, which wheels are you going for? Same as Buzz?

You know buzz? Lol. Yeah I think I might get those in black. Those are the only nice legit wheels to go for in a tight budget.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Nasir on January 03, 2012, 01:55:31 pm
Cheers Nasir, yes i remember them doing the plates. I'll ask them about getting some made and to check mine for me when i go down to look at some Team Dynamics wheels.


Cool, which wheels are you going for? Same as Buzz?

You know buzz? Lol. Yeah I think I might get those in black. Those are the only nice legit wheels to go for in a tight budget.

Lol ye he's a good friend. I helped him pick out the alloys. I think they'd look good in black. BTW we should have picked you up on NYE, bit of a let down on the night lol.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: ktlstar on March 01, 2012, 08:16:40 am
Bumping this thread -



Is the Ebay ones that say 100% Legal are really Legal ?  Im on a hunt for some new plates.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Deako on March 01, 2012, 09:30:19 am
I got mine from Dubmeister at GTI International a few years back. Never had any problems with them on several cars. Its a cherished plate, so i reuse them.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Dsg steel on March 01, 2012, 11:26:35 pm
Had mine 6 months or so no problem as yet. Fingers cross
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: AjayB on November 09, 2012, 01:56:50 pm
Just an update on this, I know it's been a LOOOOONG time since the original post. The issue went to court and got everything drooped by the magistrates. It was a long process as it didn't go to court until last month.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: JPC on November 09, 2012, 02:36:39 pm
another factor i find aswell is the "attitude test"

2 mates of mine both got pulled by the same officer locally.
1 - got out and was an arse. got fined.
1 - got out all polite with standard plates in boot, got a lecture and sent away all good.




Obviously common sense prevails with this, your right. But I hate the fact this happens. Im not a huge fan of the police, I dont need to be polite if there is some officer telling me my plates are illegal if they are legal.

Argh they get on my nerves. half of them couldnt tell you what the definition of a dual carriage way was.
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: JStav on November 09, 2012, 03:02:00 pm
Some interesting points on here, most notably those defending the police saying they shouldn't be expected to know every single piece of legislation.

The question comes about then, should they really be pulling people up on laws that they don't fully understand?
Title: Re: £60 FINE for Metal Pressed plates!
Post by: Makaveli on November 09, 2012, 06:55:04 pm
Just an update on this, I know it's been a LOOOOONG time since the original post. The issue went to court and got everything drooped by the magistrates. It was a long process as it didn't go to court until last month.

Well done for taking it to court and standing up for what you believed was right!