Stoney, I've stated from beginning to end that there is nothing illegal about buying, owning, or using show plates off of the public highway.

I even said from the start it was illegal for registered dealers to sell show plates.

With all due respect being a policeman doesn't mean that because you've said it it is correct, a policeman can not, & isn't expected to be an expert on all points of law, & nowhere have you offered any proof that I am not right on anything I've stated above.

I'd even put my money where my mouth is & invite you around in an official capacity to see my car on private land with a show plate on, & see who's correct.

From what I have read, you can have show "signs" provided they do not contain any registration (VRM).

It says on a document (inf195) as an example, car showrooms can have signs printed depicting the model of the car.

Not quite sure how the law stands if you use said show signs to cover up your reg plate on private land...

OK just seen the revised INF195/1 that removes that statement, lol.

They obviously changed their mind on that one...

I have a direct photocopy somewhere from the official Traffic Officers handbook.

Once I find it again We'll see if we can put this debate to bed.

Bear in mind that if I do prove to be off on any point I will put my hands up with due grace and humility.

I rest my case M'Lud.

I think the bit I read in the original INF195 document still applies in that case.

Provided it is not sold as a plate and there is no vehicle registration mark on it, show signs are fine, it is just a sign after all.

I.e. you can have Focus, or your username or anything else on it. Just not a fancy version of your VRM.

The law isn't very clear on whether you can cover up your proper registration plate on private land though.

I rest my case M'Lud.

Registration Marks Section 21.9.jpg

Never argued against that.

But still waiting for proof that buying, owning, & using a show plate not on the public highway is illegal.

It is not illegal to own a show plate but as it is illegal for UK companies to sell them as such as per my previous post it will be argued by extension (and upheld in court) that they are therefore illegal to use.

BTW your initial argument was that they are not illegal to sell which I believe I have adequately covered.

If you choose to buy a plate from a non UK seller then that is of course your perogative however using them is illegal if they are deemed to be a non authorised variation of your true VRN.

If you choose to buy one that is obviously not intended to be a non legal version of your VRN (i.e. a car club name, model or manufacturers name) then off road display is permitted as long as no attempt is made to misrepresent the plate as a road legal VRN or intend to avoid fines, road fund licence or speeding offences.

At the end of the day there will always be people who intend to use non legal plates wherever their vehicle may be situated and there will always be a savvy Traffic Officer waiting for them.

So if I had some plates made up with just Focus on them and covered up my reg at Ford fair with them, that should be OK?

As long as they are not used on private land to say avoid parking fines by obstructing the reg...

Yes, as long as you don't intend to misrepresent a legally issued VRN.

Just be sure to remove them before joining a public highway. :)

It is not illegal to own a show plate but as it is illegal for UK companies to sell them as such as per my previous post it will be argued by extension (and upheld in court) that they are therefore illegal to use.

BTW your initial argument was that they are not illegal to sell which I believe I have adequately covered.

And your point is?

Sorry about that, got called away & posted before I was ready. I'll try again.

It is not illegal to own a show plate but as it is illegal for UK companies to sell them as such as per my previous post it will be argued by extension (and upheld in court) that they are therefore illegal to use.

BTW your initial argument was that they are not illegal to sell which I believe I have adequately covered.

Stoney, on the 26/1/15 & 09.17 akexp999 asks-

'So if I had some plates made up with just Focus on them and covered up my reg at Ford fair with them, that should be OK?

As long as they are not used on private land to say avoid parking fines by obstructing the reg'

& your answer on the 26/1/15 @ 09.51 is -

'YES, as long as you don't intend to misrepresent a legally issued VRN.

Just be sure to remove them BEFORE JOINING A PUBLIC HIGHWAY.

Now that's confused me, because your 'YES' to using a show plate 'before joining a public highway' seems to be at loggerheads with what you stated on the 25/1/15 @ 01.25, when you said -

'It is not illegal for non UK companies to sell them (point conceded) however as they are not sold via a licenced UK company IT THEREFOR MAKES USING SAID PLATES (WHETHER OFF ROAD OR NOT) ILLEGAL'.

So can you use show plates off of the public highway as I've stated from the beginning, or is it illegal as you've been saying until the above post?

For the record the first post I made on this subject on the 24/1/15 was-

'You can still legally buy 'show plates' if you want them Stoney, the law change was to make it harder to get false plates made up in the high street'.

So to be honest I'm perplexed why you felt the need to go off at such a tangent when nowhere did I mention buying show plates from the UK, you brought that up.

& nowhere did I mention them showing a 'VRN',

again you brought that up.

Both my points where correct then & I stand by them now, in fact you conceded the first point to me (that you can legally buy show plates), & my 2nd post would cover show plates in 'fact 6' of your post on the 25/1/15.

You can not legally buy show plates in the UK as suppliers are not allowed to produce them.

TBH I believe you're attempting to manipulate the facts in order to justify your own views.

I have stated the facts, if you choose to not accept them then that is your problem.

I am not willing to enter into a 'slanging match' over your misguided argument.

You can not legally but show plates in the UK as suppliers are not allowed to produce them.

Pardon?

Most people will change the size and spacing of there plates. I see it done all the time some are borderline on the law some are ridiculously against the law. It all boils down to the same as being on your phone whilst driving. If u get caught you'll get done for it but most still do it and get away with. 3 points and a £60 fine if mr plod is that way out and pulls you over for it.

I think the fine got increased to £100, but theres no penalty points.

You can not legally but show plates in the UK as suppliers are not allowed to produce them.

TBH I believe you're attempting to manipulate the facts in order to justify your own views.

I have stated the facts, if you choose to not accept them then that is your problem.

I am not willing to enter into a 'slanging match' over your misguided argument.

My views? Let's recap-

TBH the problem is yours, as my original post above was quite clear........

I feel that you are labouring under the misguided belief that you are always right and are merely picking holes in order to score points against me.

Twisting posts around to say what you want is counter productive and confuses a subject that members here may have a vested interest in.

I have told you the facts and even posted solid proof in the form of an excerpt from an official legal document, if you choose to deny that evidence then it is obvious that no matter what is said here you will continue to maintain your stubborn standpoint that you are right and everyone else is wrong.

No more debate will be entered into concerning this matter as to do so will only prolong the wasting of my time.

Think what you choose, I'm sure you always do anyway.

Monty Python - Argument Clinic:

So, to summarise 4 pages....

You can buy show plates if you really want to, just not from a UK company.

You can put these on your car, but not whilst you are on a public highway.

So, to summarise 4 pages....

You can buy show plates if you really want to, just not from a UK company.

You can put these on your car, but not whilst you are on a public highway.

And they can't contain a Vehicle registration number, nor be used to misrepresent your own, like trying to avoid parking charges.

See, they got it sussed :d

See, they got it sussed :d

Your priceless, it only took 4 pages because you've argued against me on 2 of those points, now your agreeing with them.