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There has been a lot of confusion regarding the legality of pressed plates so I thought I'd make a definitive thread for you all. I have covered this topic many times in various posts (http://www.r32oc.com...al/#entry309040) but hopefully this is more comprehensive.
I'll cut to the chase and start with the main conclusion. This is taken from the British Number Plate Manufacturers Association:
http://www.bnma.org/faqs.html
""Can I use a metal number plate?
It is a legal requirement that all number plates offered for sale should comply with BS AU 145d, the British Standard for number plates. This standard is called up in Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 It specifies the performance requirements for the finished product in terms of reflectivity, durability, impact resistance etc and does not stipulate that the product be any particular material as long as the performance standards are met. Indeed, there is a note in the Scope of BS AU 145d which states "Retroreflecting number plates may be manufactured from any material which performs satisfactorily in service, providing the requirements of this standard are met". The vast majority of motorists prefer "plastic" or acrylic faced plates but aluminium plates are clearly permitted as long as they meet the performance requirements.
In addition to complying with the British Standard to ensure product quality and consumer protection, there is also the obligation to comply with other requirements in place regarding font design, spacing etc. This is also set out in The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 (RV Regs 2001).""
BS AU 145d:
This standard is mainly about the construction of the plate. The standard dictates the tests that the 'material' has to go through, and the methods of testing. It covers:
Retroreflective materials, Reflective materials, Marking, Design, Colour, Chromaticity, Reflection factor, Luminance, Dimensions, Layout, Letters (symbols), Digits, Graphic characters, Performance testing, Photometry (light measurement), Bend testing, Artificial weathering tests, Environmental testing, Impact testing, Solvent-resistance tests, Thermal-cycling tests, Thermal testing, Salt-spray tests, Corrosion tests, Vibration testing, Visual inspection (testing), Specimen preparation, Test equipment, Trading standards
If the material passes the tests it can have the 'BS AU 145d' text in the corner of the plate. By having this text, you have adhered to one of the many requirements of the RV Regs 2001.
The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001:
This is the law regarding number plates, and sets out the requirements of the fonts, letter size, and spacing. It is also the document which states things like "you can't mis-space letters, or move letters from one section to another" etc etc.
More info here:
http://www.bnma.org/legislation.html
http://www.legislati...1/contents/made
So we have two things to consider:
1: Does my plate material meet BS AU 145d
2: Do my plates comply with the Road Vehicle Regulations
Here we have a problem. If your plates have the BS standard marked on them, do they really achieve the test. You can't know for sure, so IMO you must buy your plates from a reputable source. Buying from 'the bay' might not be the best place because you may not have any comeback if things go wrong. Part of the manufacturers responsibility is that they have to keep proper records of the plates they make. I bought mine from Dubmeister.
Regarding the Road Vehicle Regs. If you mis-space your letters, put a big screw to make it look separate etc etc you are asking for trouble from the plod. It's your own fault, period.
Plates must have the manufacturer's name and postcode on the bottom below the reg letters. Having your favorite quote there is not permitted, but you could add a separate surround with it on.
The Police:
Sadly based on personal experience a lot of the police are not well informed on the above. Prior to the regs coming into effect Metal plates with fancy letters and non standard backgrounds were all the rage. This then led to a prevailing thought that "all pressed plates are illegal". There weren't any manufacturers of legal pressed plates back then. However, that is now no longer the case, and legal pressed plates are now available.
I hope the above is useful. I can add further info if you feel its required.
Thanks
James
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I'll cut to the chase and start with the main conclusion. This is taken from the British Number Plate Manufacturers Association:
http://www.bnma.org/faqs.html
""Can I use a metal number plate?
It is a legal requirement that all number plates offered for sale should comply with BS AU 145d, the British Standard for number plates. This standard is called up in Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 It specifies the performance requirements for the finished product in terms of reflectivity, durability, impact resistance etc and does not stipulate that the product be any particular material as long as the performance standards are met. Indeed, there is a note in the Scope of BS AU 145d which states "Retroreflecting number plates may be manufactured from any material which performs satisfactorily in service, providing the requirements of this standard are met". The vast majority of motorists prefer "plastic" or acrylic faced plates but aluminium plates are clearly permitted as long as they meet the performance requirements.
In addition to complying with the British Standard to ensure product quality and consumer protection, there is also the obligation to comply with other requirements in place regarding font design, spacing etc. This is also set out in The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 (RV Regs 2001).""
BS AU 145d:
This standard is mainly about the construction of the plate. The standard dictates the tests that the 'material' has to go through, and the methods of testing. It covers:
Retroreflective materials, Reflective materials, Marking, Design, Colour, Chromaticity, Reflection factor, Luminance, Dimensions, Layout, Letters (symbols), Digits, Graphic characters, Performance testing, Photometry (light measurement), Bend testing, Artificial weathering tests, Environmental testing, Impact testing, Solvent-resistance tests, Thermal-cycling tests, Thermal testing, Salt-spray tests, Corrosion tests, Vibration testing, Visual inspection (testing), Specimen preparation, Test equipment, Trading standards
If the material passes the tests it can have the 'BS AU 145d' text in the corner of the plate. By having this text, you have adhered to one of the many requirements of the RV Regs 2001.
The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001:
This is the law regarding number plates, and sets out the requirements of the fonts, letter size, and spacing. It is also the document which states things like "you can't mis-space letters, or move letters from one section to another" etc etc.
More info here:
http://www.bnma.org/legislation.html
http://www.legislati...1/contents/made
So we have two things to consider:
1: Does my plate material meet BS AU 145d
2: Do my plates comply with the Road Vehicle Regulations
Here we have a problem. If your plates have the BS standard marked on them, do they really achieve the test. You can't know for sure, so IMO you must buy your plates from a reputable source. Buying from 'the bay' might not be the best place because you may not have any comeback if things go wrong. Part of the manufacturers responsibility is that they have to keep proper records of the plates they make. I bought mine from Dubmeister.
Regarding the Road Vehicle Regs. If you mis-space your letters, put a big screw to make it look separate etc etc you are asking for trouble from the plod. It's your own fault, period.
Plates must have the manufacturer's name and postcode on the bottom below the reg letters. Having your favorite quote there is not permitted, but you could add a separate surround with it on.
The Police:
Sadly based on personal experience a lot of the police are not well informed on the above. Prior to the regs coming into effect Metal plates with fancy letters and non standard backgrounds were all the rage. This then led to a prevailing thought that "all pressed plates are illegal". There weren't any manufacturers of legal pressed plates back then. However, that is now no longer the case, and legal pressed plates are now available.
I hope the above is useful. I can add further info if you feel its required.
Thanks
James
