No plate size

mick · 31 October 2013, 16:45

Can I put a motorbike size plate on my boat trailer.

Chris Caton · 31 October 2013, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick

Can I put a motorbike size plate on my boat trailer.

Yes, but I wouldn't, specially if you are thinking of towing it down the A55

thomas · 31 October 2013, 17:53

Not legally, the letters are 15mm shorter on a motorbike - Having said that, I rented a trailer and went to put my plate on it only to see that some bloke had just put my reg on with big black pen, big company too.

mick · 31 October 2013, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Caton

Yes, but I wouldn't, specially if you are thinking of towing it down the A55

Are they like mustard on there then Chris

Chris Caton · 31 October 2013, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick

Are they like mustard on there then Chris

oh yes

but like everything else plenty of people get away with it, till it all goes wrong!

Jeff Hutcheon · 31 October 2013, 18:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Caton

oh yes

but like everything else plenty of people get away with it, till it all goes wrong!

Unless your a taxi driver?

paddlers · 31 October 2013, 19:53

I generally find that most 'officers of the law' tend to go by the look of trailers !! If it looks right they generally leave you alone especially if you're driving sensibly.... Get caught speeding down the outside lane of the motorway expect to find all your offences coming to light no matter how insignificant !!

ShinyShoe · 01 November 2013, 00:16

Technically, I believe the number plate on the trailer is supposed to be the same shape as the one on the car. No idea why but I'm pretty sure thats what the law says. So if you want a square bike plate then your car should match...

...technically

mick · 01 November 2013, 00:20

That's a burger I use 2 cars 1 has the oblong and 1 the square plate. Will just get the normal size square when I do the job.

Poly · 01 November 2013, 00:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

Technically, I believe the number plate on the trailer is supposed to be the same shape as the one on the car. No idea why but I'm pretty sure thats what the law says. So if you want a square bike plate then your car should match...

...technically

I believe you've just broken Poly's Law...

if you are going to make claims like that you'd better be able to quote the legislation involved otherwise it is Internet Baloney

thomas · 01 November 2013, 08:13

I was once told by a friendly rosser that the number plate on the trailer, a horse box in this case, didn't necessarily have to match the tow vehicle as long as it matched a vehicle registered at the same address as the one towing. I'm going back a bit so things may well be different these days.

HughN · 01 November 2013, 10:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

I believe you've just broken Poly's Law...

if you are going to make claims like that you'd better be able to quote the legislation involved otherwise it is Internet Baloney

If the numberplates have to be the same size and shape then 99% of trailers behind LR Discoverys will be illegal: the Disco has a square plate; that of most trailers I know are rectangular.

Trailer Guy · 01 November 2013, 11:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

I believe you've just broken Poly's Law...

if you are going to make claims like that you'd better be able to quote the legislation involved otherwise it is Internet Baloney

This bit of law?:

Statutory Instrument 1971 No 450 - The Road Vehicles (Registration & Licensing) Regulations 1971. Part Ill - Exhibition of Licences and Registration Marks

Nick Hearne · 01 November 2013, 11:29

So have I been braking the law for the last 8 years of Disco ownership then?

as all of my light boards are rectangles!

Trailer Guy · 01 November 2013, 11:43

No, I think this has been covered, on Ribnet, before.

The RYA published a document that was a little misleading:

http://www.rya.org.uk/sitecollection...EGULATIONS.pdf

Particularly this sentence:

"The trailer registration number plate must be identical in shape,
colour and characteristics to the plate of the towing vehicle."

Poly · 01 November 2013, 12:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomas

I was once told by a friendly rosser that the number plate on the trailer, a horse box in this case, didn't necessarily have to match the tow vehicle as long as it matched a vehicle registered at the same address as the one towing. I'm going back a bit so things may well be different these days.

That only applies to agricultural vehicles. (The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001)
The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001, s8(3)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trailer Guy

This bit of law?:

Statutory Instrument 1971 No 450 - The Road Vehicles (Registration & Licensing) Regulations 1971. Part Ill - Exhibition of Licences and Registration Marks

I've had a quick skim (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1...9710450_en.pdf) and its not jumping out. - not sure if the 2001 rules replaced the 1971 ones anyway in which case i have had a more thorough read and don't see it.

Chris Caton · 01 November 2013, 12:51

I doubt anyone will worry too much about shape as long as the plates match and lights are working

got to be better than them what are black marker pen on cardboard, or two plates just to keep you guessing. I got held up on the A55 a couple of weeks back by a huge tractor towing a even huger trailer, no lights, number plates or anything else to speak of, the amber beacon on the tractor cab was hidden by the trailer, not that it was any use coz it was hanging off, bet the bobby 3 cars behind me had to sharpen his pencil coz he pulled up in front on the tractor after getting past him, loads of blue flashing lights on his motor

Nick Hearne · 01 November 2013, 13:20

I past a plant trailer yesterday on the A38 no lights on trailer (all smashed!) and different plate to car!

thomas · 01 November 2013, 13:44

Goes to show how ignorant we all are of simple traffic laws, including the police.

I'm now too scared to tow my boat anywhere in case I'm branded an irresponsible law breaker, so best leave it in the water and play with it there - too many laws to get my head around, need a 'Poly reference app' on the phone to refer to if I ever do attach my tow bar

Trailer Guy · 01 November 2013, 13:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

I past a plant trailer yesterday on the A38 no lights on trailer (all smashed!) and different plate to car!

And the difficulty for me is that I'm reliant on customers 'doing the right thing'. i.e. if I suggest something is done, they're quite within their rights to say, "no thanks".

I dream of us catching up with the majority of Europe, when it comes to trailers and towing