Originally Posted by
Bornagain
ACPO Guidelines on Number Plates
Basically, although small plates are technically illegal, the standing advice from the ACPO is that a clear distinction should be drawn between vanity plates that are slightly outside the regs and those that are taking the piss. The following is drawn from the Motorcycle Enforcement Strategy produced by the ACPO in 2006:
"Registration plates, the test to be applied, if not easily legible from 20.5 metres, prosecution and inform DVLA.
Whilst accepting that this is a technical offence, there are concerns regarding the misuse of registration plates on motorcycles.
It is well recognised that there are many technological advances in automated detection and enforcement equipment, most of which rely upon remote reading of registration plates.
It is difficult for enforcement agencies to differentiate between the individual who wishes to make a fashion statement or enhance the appearance of their machine from one who is deliberately attempting to avoid detection for criminal purposes.
It is with this rationale that it has been decided not to focus on the technicalities of the size of the plate or font size to comply with current legislation, but to apply a simple test of legibility, based upon the standard eyesight test for riders and drivers."
So if you can read your plate from 20.5m away, and you get pulled for a small plate, it could save you a fine to ask politely why the officer is choosing to ignore the ACPO's Motorcycle Enforcement Strategy.
Please spread the word...it could save you some cash [smiley=thumbsup.gif]