Removable (ahem) front numberplate

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,594
So Zep, now the issue of bonding the magnets to the plate/bumper.

Can we have a sweep stake of which will let go first, the magnets or the bonding and what speed it flies over the roof and beheads a cyclist?
 

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,796
So Zep, now the issue of bonding the magnets to the plate/bumper.
...

plate is easy - get magnets with countersunk holes in, and use machine screws (from the back) that are exactly the right length, with caps over the nuts (on the front)
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
So Zep, now the issue of bonding the magnets to the plate/bumper.

Can we have a sweep stake of which will let go first, the magnets or the bonding and what speed it flies over the roof and beheads a cyclist?

Yes. I’ll put £10 on the magnets. But I am only paying if it is full decapitation. Also, before anyone asks, I’m not going to sharpen the plate.
 

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,796
It's a pity that the bumper isn't just a little bit deeper, and then you could just use a stick-on plate, which would be mostly legal, but less intrusive than a separate plate.

84940

84941

But you could try slightly smaller stick-on letters....
 

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,796

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,223
So Zep, now the issue of bonding the magnets to the plate/bumper.

Can we have a sweep stake of which will let go first, the magnets or the bonding and what speed it flies over the roof and beheads a cyclist?

From the footwell?
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
21,016
It's a pity that the bumper isn't just a little bit deeper, and then you could just use a stick-on plate, which would be mostly legal, but less intrusive than a separate plate.

But you could try slightly smaller stick-on letters....

I was wondering about a small stick-on plate. But then it occurred to me that if I’m going to be told off for a small plate I may as well have no plate at all. May as well be hanged for a sheep, etc.

I await the results of Zep’s experiments with magnets with much anticipation.
 

Oneball

Member
Messages
11,075
I was wondering about a small stick-on plate. But then it occurred to me that if I’m going to be told off for a small plate I may as well have no plate at all. May as well be hanged for a sheep, etc.

I await the results of Zep’s experiments with magnets with much anticipation.

I might be wrong but I think no numpkate gets you a fine and a rectification note but an incorrect plate gets you points too. Could be an urban myth??!!
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,700
I was wondering about a small stick-on plate. But then it occurred to me that if I’m going to be told off for a small plate I may as well have no plate at all. May as well be hanged for a sheep, etc.

I await the results of Zep’s experiments with magnets with much anticipation.
As the QP has a plate holder on the front I just reduced the size down slightly so the plate just covers it. The letters are slightly smaller but not really noticeable. Never had any issues with car park plate recognition yet.
 

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,796
I might be wrong but I think no numpkate gets you a fine and a rectification note but an incorrect plate gets you points too. Could be an urban myth??!!

Well, I suppose "It must have fallen off, officer" is both less disprovable and less suggestive of 'criminal intent', than "No, officer, I don't recall paying £100 for this specially altered plate." (But you probably would be helped by evidence to support the 'fallen off' claim, like screw holes or glue marks, which rather defeats the cosmetic intent.)

But I don't think points are the law (yet) - but apparently it is being proposed.

I guess if you alter your plate to be unreadable, then some fairly serious and escalating penalty is appropriate, but it you just tweak it to look a bit better, I would like to think that even if this proposed law comes in a magistrate might let you off with a fine.
 

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,223
Mine are legit with the exception of a missing wide space between the 3 and the O, all spacing are 11mm as well as the white boarder on the front plate which is the legal minimum. Never had an issue with this version, previously I had the N and F wide spaced and the 3OO together. Only had one grumpy scuffer moan about it because I shot up a hill in Wimbledon on an out of use bus Lane when he had foolishly been sitting in the cue at 10.10 in the morning.
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
21,016
Well, I suppose "It must have fallen off, officer" is both less disprovable and less suggestive of 'criminal intent', than "No, officer, I don't recall paying £100 for this specially altered plate." (But you probably would be helped by evidence to support the 'fallen off' claim, like screw holes or glue marks, which rather defeats the cosmetic intent.)

But I don't think points are the law (yet) - but apparently it is being proposed.

I guess if you alter your plate to be unreadable, then some fairly serious and escalating penalty is appropriate, but it you just tweak it to look a bit better, I would like to think that even if this proposed law comes in a magistrate might let you off with a fine.
A lack of drill holes and an 'oh bugger, has it fallen off again?' would be ok, I reckon. Explain the magnets behind and promise to use better magnets on the next plate. It would take a mean-spirited swine to get all worked up about that. You'd need to combine the sin with a better one, like driving like a tit, having a bad attitude, offensive wife etc etc.

As for deliberately making a number plate look like it says something else, that feels like a worse misdemeanour than a perfectly fine rear plate and a missing front one. In my opinion, at least.
 

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,796
Mine are legit with the exception of a missing wide space between the 3 and the O, all spacing are 11mm as well as the white boarder on the front plate which is the legal minimum. Never had an issue with this version, previously I had the N and F wide spaced and the 3OO together. Only had one grumpy scuffer moan about it because I shot up a hill in Wimbledon on an out of use bus Lane when he had foolishly been sitting in the cue at 10.10 in the morning.

NF3 OO?
 

jasst

Member
Messages
2,313
I might be wrong but I think no numpkate gets you a fine and a rectification note but an incorrect plate gets you points too. Could be an urban myth??!!
That is what I have always been led to believe, hence no front plate on mine.