The British Standards Institute publishes the technical standards that all number plates are required to satisfy and this requirement is mandated in law. In March 2018, the BSI published an updated standard for number plates, BS AU 145e. This new standard will improve the durability of new number plates and enhance compatibility with on road enforcement cameras.
The new standard also requires that plates only display single shade black lettering removing the ability to use different shades to produce 3D effects or highlighting.
The agency has not seen any evidence to show that number plates displaying raised plastic, acrylic or perspex lettering (3D/4D plates) are able to meet the requirements of either the current or new the British Standard.
To take effect this new British Standard needs to be incorporated into the regulations and will become mandatory from 1st September 2021 but can be used from 1st January 2021.
This means that as a supplier you: must ensure that the number plates you supply can meet all the requirements of the standard and legislative requirements and should contact your component supplier or manufacturer if you are unsure whether the components they supply for you can meet the standard. It is an offence to supply number plates that cannot meet the standard
It will be specified in law from 1st January 2021 that only vehicles manufactured before 1st January 1980 are eligible to display “black and silver” number plates
As a supplier this means you: can only produce black and silver number plates for those vehicles registered prior to 1st January 1980 that have also been licensed in the historic tax class
As part of the UK’s exit from the EU, government will remove the ability to fix a new number plate displaying the Euro symbol after the end of the EU exit transition period. Those registration plates fixed to a vehicle before 1st January 2021 will be unaffected.
As a supplier this means you: cannot produce a number plate with an “EU” symbol from 1st January 2021
Green Number Plates (GNP) will signify that the vehicle emits zero emissions and will consist of a green flash on the left hand side of a registration number plate. They will be non-mandatory and available to new and existing qualifying vehicles.
Regional emblems and identifiers that are currently permitted can still be displayed on the green flash.
Eligibility
Only vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions (e.g. fully battery electric, or hydrogen fuel cell) can display a green number plate. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids (including range extenders) are not eligible.
This applies to all vehicle types – cars, vans, taxis, motorbikes; and buses, coaches and HGV’s
Design
The regulations state that the green flash must be no less than 40mm in width, and no more than 50mm in width it must be retro-reflective and be matching or of an equivalent green to the Pantone 7481c colour reference
Examples
Most of the country were put into lockdown back in March 2020 due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic that has gripped the world. DVLA were just one of the government bodies that closed most of its services as most of their staff were furloughed.
A reduced staff returned to work at DVLA on 12th June after nearly 3 months on lockdown. This closure has meant that many classic car enthusiasts, motor dealers and general members of the public that had sent in paper applications just before the lockdown have been in limbo as nothing has been processed and basically any paperwork has just been lying in the offices at DVLA. Some of the online services which have been crucial for many however have also had problems which have not seen transfers being processed, and mot and car tax exemptions not being able to be declared and sorted online and therefore having to be sent in as postal applications knowing that the backlog could mean further delays in the processing of the applications. A DVLA spokesperson has said that they are processing the applications as quickly as possible but for some people that has also led to them not being able to use their vehicles.
This has also had an effect with number plate transfers. Most applications can be done using the DVLA online facility but for some where they have purchased a cherished number plate and their vehicle is a classic or imported vehicle or there is an issue regarding sorn or car tax then these applications have not been able to be done online and some customers paperwork has been at DVLA for the whole 3 months of lockdown. If you have any queries they are now answering some telephones in some of their departments at DVLA Swansea but it may be worth waiting a few weeks for them to clear the backlog if you have to send in something to them. Remember always take copies of anything you need to send and if you do manage to speak to an advisor then take a reference number to help if you need to make any further corresponding calls.
We at Motor Marks may be able to help with some of your queries so if you need any advice we are happy to try and help.
Well this Friday 8th May 2020 will mark 75 years since VE Day. VE Day stands for Victory in Europe Day and is the day we celebrate the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender of its Armed Forces on Tuesday 8th May 1945.
Germany’s leader Adolph Hitler had committed suicide on 30th April during the Battle of Berlin and Germany’s surrender was authorised by his successor Reichsprasident Karl Donitz. The administration which was headed by Karl Donitz was known as the Flensburg Government and the act of military surrender was first signed on 7th May 1945 at 02.41 in Shaff HQ at Reims and a slightly modified document was signed in Berlin on 8th May 1945. Most countries around the world celebrate the end of World War II on 8th May.
This year should have seen many street parties and gatherings and special commemorations around the world marking the 75th Anniversary, however due to the Covid 19 all these planned events have had to be put on hold until we can all celebrate when this pandemic is over.
We would like to honour this day and pay tribute to everyone that made this day happen.
Part of the Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s VE Day speech as he waved to the crowds from the Ministry of Health balcony on 8th May 1945 was:
“My dear friends, this is your hour. This is not a victory of a party or of any class. It’s a victory of the great British nation as a whole.
Although we will be staying at home this year to celebrate we shall raise a glass to all those that made VE Day happen we are truly honoured.
We have some cherished number plates that we feel mark the occasion
Typically cherished number plates are usually dateless registration numbers that are dated pre 1963 and were usually found on vintage and classic vehicles. Nowadays a cherished number plate can be anything! You have the names, the dateless, the prefix and suffix registration numbers and now the newstyle number plates, not forgetting the Northern Ireland registration numbers it can mean absolutely nothing to you but to someone else everything. You can even get your full name.. example NGO 1D if you are called Nigel Gold. Cherished Number Plates are an investment!!
Years ago Cherished Number Plates as they were coined could cost tens of thousands of pounds and many still do just take a look at some of the recent sales in the auctions some numbers fetching over half a million pounds…. but you can get a Cherished Number Plate for you for as little as £116 all in see our cheap page
The ‘Term’ Cherished /Personalised number plate was coined because for these registration numbers to remain in circulation for such a long time ie their ownership had to be passed along, sometimes the registration number remaining in a particular family for generations.
The best example of one such Cherished Number Plate was the renowned A 1 number plate which was one of the first registration numbers given out by London County Council. The number plate was secured by Earl Russell who queued outside their offices in 1903 to acquire the registration number for his Napier and he had it until 1907 when he sold his Napier car with the A 1 number plate on to a gentleman called George Pettyt who was the chairman of the London County Council. He kept the number is his possession and had it transferred onto various vehicles. When Mr Pettyt died in 1950 the number plate was on a Sunbeam Talbot and was left in his will to a Mr Laker who in turn kept the registration number (this was stipulated in the will of Mr Pettyt that he had to retain the number plate until his death) until his death in 1970 .
After Mr Lakers death, Dunlop purchased the number plate for a staggering £2500 which on today’s market would probably be a million pounds plus’ and the money was donated to the Guide Dogs for the Blind as Mr Laker had stated it was his wish for a dogs charity to receive the money from the sale of the registration number A 1.
In the early 2000’s the registration A 1 was sold again and Prince Bolkiah a member of the Brunei Royal Family became the new owner and it was paired with 1 A to be displayed on matching white Bentley Azures. Quite a history !!!
If buying from a number plate dealer, this is usually done for you by them. If the number you are buying is on a retention certificate then the documents required are the current V5C for the receiving vehicle which has to be currently taxed and MOT’d. Most of these transfers can now be done instantly using the online facility via the DVLA website upon cleared funds, however if the application cannot be processed online then it will have to be posted to DVLA Swansea cherished number plate section and the transfer can take up to 10 days.
If the number you are buying is already on a vehicle then this will have to be posted and on most occasions is all processed within 14 days, however this can take longer if the donor vehicle needs to have a DVLA inspection (most pre-1963 vehicles need to be inspected by DVLA and the odd newer vehicle, however we cannot determine which ones).
The DVLA usually send an appointed inspector to come and check the vehicle and its identity. The cost incurred in transferring a cherished number plate is £80.00 which is made payable to DVLA Swansea.
The cost to Retain a cherished number plate is £80.00 which is made payable to DVLA Swansea. When you retain a number plate the certificate will show that the assignment fee has already been paid so you would not pay any further fees when you come to transfer the cherished number plate off the retention certificate at a later date.
A retention certificate is also now valid for 10 years from the date that the number plate is retained by DVLA Swansea.
If you have a cherished number plate that you want to sell, if this is on a retention certificate then all we require is the valid V750 or V778 document which can usually be transferred online using the DVLA website facility. If the number is on an existing vehicle then the rules require that the donor vehicle must have been taxed by yourselves when it had a current MOT and then you have 5 years to sell the number. If it goes over the 5 years then in order to sell the number plate you would have to get the vehicle re-taxed and MOT’d. All MOT’d exempt vehicles however do require a voluntary MOT to take part in the cherished number plate’s transfer rules set out by DVLA.
So a little bit of history for you and some common questions answered.
If you would like any information on a number plate you wish to sell or would like us to find a number plate to suit you then give our Sales Team a call we are always happy to help 0116 235 0116
Alternatively why not browse our huge database of cherished number plates.
We all know the saying ‘keep your eyes on the road’ but how often do you get your eyes checked ? In the UK once you have passed your Driving Test you don’t have to have any further visual checks. On your driving test you must demonstrate that your eyesight is good enough to be able to drive safely. You do this by reading a clean car number plate of the old style from a minimum distance of 20.5 metres ( approx 67 feet or 5 car lengths).
In some European countries however you are required to have a visual test every 10 years. Do you think this should be the case in the UK?
Think your eyesight may be getting worse? Don’t delay act now.
We all lead busy hectic lives and might overlook the signs that our eyes are not as good as they once were. You might find road signs harder to read or judging distances may be harder or you may find it more difficult when you drive at night. These could be signs that your eyesight may be deteriorating.
So make sure you stay alert and get your eyesight checked every 2 years. Stay safe when driving.
Here at Motor Marks although we deal in the sale and purchase of cherished, personalised and DVLA car registration numbers browse our database we also like to inform our potential customers and road users of the need to be aware of the potential dangers that you can encounter on the roads.
We have therefore compiled a Road Safety Advice for you to familiarise with, even if you already know, it doesn’t help to read up on it again.
You should always drive with at least a 2 second time gap between you and the vehicle in front; for example:
On a dry road, choose a point like a lamp post or road sign
When the vehicle in front passes that point, say out loud “Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule”
Check your position in relation to your chosen point as you finish saying this. If you have already passed the point, you are driving too close to the vehicle in front and need to drop back.
In wet weather, double the distance between your vehicle and the one in front by saying “Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule ” twice.
One of the key reasons that drivers lose concentration or become stressed when driving is because they are in a hurry.
Remember COAST
Concentrate on your driving at all times
Observe all around yyou
Anticipate what might happen next
Space give space at all times, it gives you
Time to plan your driving
It is estimated that drivers who fall asleep at the wheel account for around one fifth of incidents on major roads, to avoid this:
Plan your journey to include a 15 minute break every 2 hours
Don’t start a long trip if you are already tired
Remember the risks if you have to get up unusually early to start a long drive
Try to avoid long trips between midnight and 6am when you are likely to feel sleepy anyway
If you start to feel sleepy, find a safe place to stop
The only real cure for tiredness is proper sleep. A caffeine drink and a 20 minute nap are a short-term solution
Mental and physical fatigue through working long hours, lack of rest and/or not eating properly or getting de-hydrated could lead to a lapse in concentration, reduced reaction time and poor decision making over safety critical issues.
Research shows that almost 20% of collisions on major roads are sleep-related
Peak times for collisions are in the early hours and after lunch
About 40% of sleep-related incidents involve commercial vehicles
Men under 30 have the highest risk of falling asleep at the wheel
By following a few simple steps, you can help the emergency services get to the scene faster and safer:
When you hear sirens, don’t panic and stay alert
When you see blue flashing lights scan the road looking for a place that will allow the emergency vehicle safe passage. You should use your indicators or hand signals to let other drivers and the emergency vehicle driver know your intent to pull over
Don’t slam on your brakes or stop abruptly blocking the road or a junction
Do not mount the pavement causing a danger to other road users
Wait for the emergency vehicle to pass and watch for more than one. Check to make sure the way is clear and signal before moving back into traffic
Never follow or try to outrun the emergency vehicle. If you do, you will most likely be breaking the speed limit and could also face charges of careless or dangerous driving
Never try to overtake a moving emergency vehicle displaying the flashing lights unless directed to do so by a police officer or emergency personnel
Do you know what the actual limits are when it comes to having a drink and then driving?
Bottled Lager. Drink five bottles and you should not frive for at least 11 hours. That’s 11am the morning after if you finish drinking at midnight.
Wine. If you drink a bottle of 15% wine (just three 250ml glasses) – you should not drive for 13 hours – that’s 1pm the next day if you finish drinking at midnight
Pints. Drink four pints of lager and you should not drive for at least 13 hours. That’s 1pm the next day if you finish drinking at midnight.
Spirits. Drink four 70ml doubles and you should not drive for 13 hours. Thats 1pm the next day iof you finish drinking at midnight.
Cans. Drink five super-strength cans and you should not drive for about 21 hours – almost a full day later.
Check your speedometer regularly
Know the limits – look for signs, especially at junctions
Street lighting means 30mph, until signs say otherwise
Remember, speed limits are a maximum not a target, try using 3rd gear in a 30mph limit to help you stay in the limit
Recognise what makes you speed – keeping up with traffic, overtaking or being tailgated
Concentrate – distracted drivers speed
The minimum penalty for speeding is £100 fine an 3 penalty points added on your licence.
Be aware and stay safe.