Number plates

[Orcade-Ian]

I know many folk don’t like classic black/alloy plates on stuff that was never allowed to have them originally but does anyone know for sure if the designation of historic class automatically allows use of the earlier plates?

The DVLA site only says that vehicles 40 years old in 2015 are allowed and therefore APPEARS not to have been updated (no surprise there)

Ian

[MrDavo]

Certainly in the day the cut off was 31/12/1972, as was explained to me by a copper who’d pulled me with a black and white plate on a 1977 Triumph. I don’t see why that would have changed.

[Arch stanton]

 I can't see it changing. As the Police don't like the fact that
ANPR can't read them. Unless I'm mistaken.
Sean.

[Orcade-Ian]

It has already changed from 72 to 75 but I wondered if it was on the same rolling program as historic status.

Ian

[Moorey]

Not according to the dvla.
Since April 2015 vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1975 can display the older style plates. You must:
•have applied to DVLA, and
•be registered within the ‘historic vehicles’ tax class.

[Nurse Julie]

From the current MOT testers manual......

6.3 Registration Plates and Vehicle Identification Number 6.3 - page 1
 
 
The Motor Bicycle and Side Car M.O.T. Inspection Manual Issue Date: May 2017
Information Method of Inspection Reason for Rejection Registration Plates 
 This inspection only applies to rear registration plates

 Unregistered motor bicycles  Unregistered motor bicycles need not be fitted with a registration plate. 
 
Foreign, diplomatic and military vehicles  This inspection does not apply to foreign registered, diplomatic or military vehicles.
 
Motor bicycles manufactured before 1 January 1977 may have registration plates displaying white, grey or silver characters on a black background.

[Nurse Julie]

And here are the new draft guidelines for May 2018 for motorbikes

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/677886/mot-inspection-manual-for-classes-1-and-2-from-may-2018-draft.pdf

[Moorey]

And here are the new draft guidelines for May 2018 for motorbikes

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/677886/mot-inspection-manual-for-classes-1-and-2-from-may-2018-draft.pdf

Do you think it possible these departments may talk to one another one day about whats going on.

[Nurse Julie]

And here are the new draft guidelines for May 2018 for motorbikes

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/677886/mot-inspection-manual-for-classes-1-and-2-from-may-2018-draft.pdf

Do you think it possible these departments may talk to one another one day about whats going on.

Never in a million years 
If you did all that DVLA insist on and then do all that HM Government insist on and then throw in a good dose of C&U regs.....we would all have to walk everywhere as no bike would ever comply.

[Moorey]

And here are the new draft guidelines for May 2018 for motorbikes

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/677886/mot-inspection-manual-for-classes-1-and-2-from-may-2018-draft.pdf

Do you think it possible these departments may talk to one another one day about whats going on.

Never in a million years 
If you did all that DVLA insist on and then do all that HM Government insist on and then throw in a good dose of C&U regs.....we would all have to walk everywhere as no bike would ever comply.

Just had a quick read through that and there are a few alterations . Thanks for that link.

[Orcade-Ian]

Thanks Julie for the inspection manual link - very useful.  All in all it seems that the 40 year rule is (for the time being) rolling and will include ability to use old style plates.  Always assuming that ‘They’ are up to something which will be detrimental to our way of life, the Germans use a different style plate with red lettering to signify ‘Old Timers’. The BIG problem is that the vehicles are very restricted in their permitted use.

Ian

[Nurse Julie]

It could all change again when we come out of the EU as all these changes are to comply with an EU directive. We will all get used to one new set of rules and I bet HM Gov will change them again