Old Style Number Plate On Modern Classic

Interesting. I was under the (uninformed) impression that the "historic" classification provides exemption from vehicle excise duty - road tax to you and me - but that the use of black and silver/white number plates is an absolute and governed by the date of manufacture of the vehicle, i.e. pre-1975 only.

I think the need to apply to DVLA for historic classification for the VED exemption is because it's a 'rolling date', whereas the plate style requirement is an absolute date.

I'll try to find more information and clarity on it.

 

the DVLA information clearly stated the bike must have been manufactured before 1 Jan 1975 to allow the legal fitting of black and silver number plates.
the 40 year old rule solely applies to road tax exemption and for that to be valid the vehicle must be over 40 years old AND be registered with DVLA as a historic vehicle. The vehicle must still be taxed and sorned although the tax wont cost any money.
further if it's over 40 years old it doesn't need an mot.

 

And MOT.

Historic vehicles require no road tax nor MOT, but you can still have the latter if you want.

 

That's how I'd understood it to be ..... BUT - there seems to be a fair bit of conflicting information out there, much of it suggesting that the older style plates CAN be used on vehicles registered (not necessarily manufactured!) before January 1979.

https://www.heritagecarinsurance.co...cles/can-i-display-black-silver-number-plate/

https://www.footmanjames.co.uk/blog/black-and-silver-number-plates-legal-guidelines-suppliers-advice

http://www.chestnut-registrations.co.uk/vintagebikeplates.aspx

It's all very confusing and conflicting. I don't want to lose a day of my life doing it but I may at some time in the near future actually phone DVLA and ask for clarification and confirmation.

 

If a vehicle is over 40 years old (rolling dates) it can be registered/re classified as a historic vehicle...this in turn makes it eligible to use black and silver plates and also makes it tax and MOT exempt the only criteria is that you have to fill in the taxation form that they send you if your vehicle is historic registered just like normal tax and form V112 for exemption from MOT and take them to the post office to get stamped.

 

The pdf linked below from the Government web site states this:

"Traditional number plates for vehicles made before 1 January 1973 Vehicles made before 1 January 1973 may display traditional ‘black and white’ number plates (for example, white, silver or grey characters on a black plate). From April 2019 vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1979 are also able to display traditional ‘black and white’ number plates. You must: • have applied to DVLA • be registered within the ‘historic vehicles’ tax class. The 40-year exemption date rolls forward automatically each year on 1 April."

https://assets.publishing.service.g...stration-numbers-and_number-plates-inf104.pdf

It seems to suggest to me (and I'm probably wrong) that if your vehicle was made before 1 Jan 1973, then no issue put a black and white plate on. However if your vehicle only qualifies based on the rolling 40 year date (i.e. made after 1 January 1973 but before January 1979) then you have to register for 'historic vehicles' tax class to display a black and white plate.

Typical government document, still not absolutely clear and open to interpretation

 

I agree with Tricky Dicky, it is a rolling 40yrs. as your bike approaches 40yrs old you have to apply for historic vehicle status this entitles you to the following things tax n MOT free and the right to have a black n silver plate

 

I know each to there own and all that, and if you think a black and silver plate is cool fair play but I think its odd if you were doing a period correct resto you can now have a plate that at the time of registering wasn't legal.

I have a penchant for classic Lambrettas (I know, I've had them for 40 years so whatever you're going to say I have heard it, whatever suggestion you have I have also done them too...…), currently reworking my "Supertune dealer special", a '66 Li125 special. Looking at old photos from late sixties early seventies, older bikes that could display black and white plates have yellow and black - the owners presumably wanting their bike to look newer.

 

I think some bikes suit them more than others. I have black n sliver on my T150 & Harrier but the rest of my bikes have the yellow.
mind you I would pay for a new plate if the other was knackered LOL

 

I think some bikes suit them more than others. I have black n sliver on my T150 & Harrier but the rest of my bikes have the yellow.
mind you I would only pay for a new plate if the other was knackered LOL

 

The first time, I took the forms to the Post Office, but subsequently I was able to do it on-line. They make it clear they are aware it's historic and that no MOT is required so it's no mistake and then of course they charge £0 tax. So even easier every year now.

 

Please explain to a curious Yank...Are tthe number plates assigned to the vehicle or the owner in the U.K. ? Our plates are stamped out by the state government. You just get them in the mail or at the DMV when you register the bike/car. How do you go about changing which color plate you have ? Sorry for the tedious questions. I'm just curious. ...J.D.

 

Registration numbers are assigned to the vehicle, and generally a vehicle is registered by the dealer before the customer takes ownership. However an individual can purchase and register a private number which can be assigned to a vehicle.

Regarding colours the law now is for cars to display a yellow plate with black digits on the rear and a white plate with black digits on the front. Motorcycles only have a rear plate.

However for "historic" vehicles, defined as those over 40 years old, they are allowed to have a historic number on a black plate with white/grey/silver digits.

Thers are strict rules for the size of plates; including the number format, font, spacing, and size of the digits. There are also various data items encoded into a standard registration number, like year of vehicle, location first registered, etc.

 

Just don't ask about the EU flag regulations .... or head over to the Brexit thread, toss that one in, and then quietly slip out the back door!

 

No worries there. This old guy stays COMPLETELY out of politics. Just one other question. Who is allowed to make the plates ? Here only the state can manufacture plates. You would get some serious prison time for forging plates. [Last of my dumb questions]…J.D.

 

Registered suppliers, in theory you have to produce papers to have one made up, in practice...

 

Theoretically ANYONE can make the plates .... providing they conform to the regs ........ and therein lies the rub. The regulations do state that the plates need to show the British Standard mark of the manufacturer. There is a sizeable marketplace for "non standard" plates, particularly for bikes, since the standard plate is more like a freaking wind sail! These days it's fairly common to reduce the size "proportionately" whilst trying to maintain a semblance of conformance and legality!

In reality nobody really gives a toss unless

a) the plate size and/or character font and spacing are clearly non-standard

b) the plate is obviously either false or made in a way that would make it unreadable to Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems (speed and traffic cameras)

There aren't enough traffic patrols around these days - except maybe in Wales where the police seem to have a form of collective paranoia about number plates on motorcycles - to strictly enforce the rules but the thing is that most number plate offences can carry a fine of up to £1,000.00 and that's a pretty big hit if you do get caught.

 

Our plates are issued state by state. I have lived in California for all my 74 yrs.. I can remember at LEAST 8 different color, number sequences. And I think I probably forgot a few. There are also personalized plates available at added expense. No matter. They must all be manufactured by the state.

…J.D.

 

I think I've still got a couple of California plates from motorcycles I bought and used out there then imported to the UK. The tags are out of date, mind!

 

Yeh ! I still have a few lying around the garage collecting dust. Motorcyle plates, auto plates, vintage trailer plates, dealer plate frames, etc. Lately I have been thinking of cleaning them up and putting them on the wall of my "man cave" along with all the other collectable motorhead stuff I have in there. …J.D.