black number plates?

Can someone explain to me the legality of putting a black number plate on a 1983 Golf Mk1?

Can I put black number plates on the front AND the rear?

Finally does anyone know a website which makes then in metal to order?

Thanks!

You can only have black and white or black and silver plates on a classic car, i think its cars that are tax free, like 1974 or before or something like that, all i know is that you'll never be able to put black and white plates on a mk1 because its illegal, you need reflective yellow rear and white front numberplates

Also the ones with raised letters i.e. stick on letters if you will, you are allowed but only if they are the 'original' plates, but who could dispute that?

You're also not allowed pressed german plates due to the spacing of the letters being illegal for this country,

however all of the above can be used at shows if you wish, and if you really do insist on having illegal plates, keep a legal set in the boot with means of fixing them on because if you get pulled over, some police let you off if you swap to normal ones right away

HTH
Josh

Okay ta josh - that clears it up…

The reason i ask is that i keep seeing Mk1 golfs with them on (although in Photos so not necessarily on the road) but today for instance i saw a brand new range rover with black number plates….

I don't need a reason to get pulled over so the classic yellow and whites it is…

Depends what country its registered in…… All the above applies for UK, but I imagine there's some countries which have black plates, could it have been a foreign vehicle you saw???

the channel islands can still have black and silver plates. will find out tommorow legality on uk cars

I have them on miy 82 mk1.
Police don't seem to care either as i'm always getting followed and they just turn off.
Think it's down to the prefix myself as at a glance they probably wouldn't know there not meant to be on there.

paul_h said

I have them on miy 82 mk1.
Police don't seem to care either as i'm always getting followed and they just turn off.
Think it's down to the prefix myself as at a glance they probably wouldn't know there not meant to be on there.

I've found a lot of people don't even realise registrations can be in the suffix format (ABC123A), and have no idea what year the car is…. I went to the VW Dealer and they asked for my registration, I was dealt with by a young pup who didn't believe it was my plate.

theres nothing about colour in the mot inspection manual

i have a set for mine, got them pressed out at a classic car show, no questions asked :wink:  i tried to get them done through a shop but they wouldnt have it, cos it goes through the dvla or something.. :roll:

i think you will get away with it so long as your car looks old, and has the old prefix, it would be a little harder on an A plate i guess. having said that like others have, iv seen some tit driving round a brand new C2 with black plates on and he gets away with it!  8O

Greg 8)

bbsmk1 said

theres nothing about colour in the mot inspection manual

An MoT test can't fully cover CUR stuff, though….

i agree with that paul

i actually have the german style plates on mine and never been pulled over. I keep the originals in the boot just in case though.  

put your car in my name over here then!

miltary plates are silver on black.
its illegel to put a classic plate on any vehicle registered after 1 jan 1973 if the police decide they do not like it can be either a slap on the wrist and change them or a fine and endorsment to your license.

I also have them on my 89 clipper,also get followed by the police
and they also turn off..but to be honest i think the usual beat booby
aint to fussed,its the traffic cops that will knick me in the end,done a bit
of research tho and if ya get pulled they will hit you with ?30 on the spot fine but y'll have to change the plates back,as it will get registered against you and next time y'll end up in front of the judge..tossers..

Also you can order them from www.dubmeister.co.uk will cost ya around
?30 for a set..

you can get pressed plates which are legal (ask topoftherange). i personally dont see the point in risking illegal plates as the police and yourself are the only ones who will notice theyre not normal (unless youre at a show).

i have been stopped twice in my mk3 for german plates and got fined once if you keep a broken num plate in the car and make up some story about some one reversed into me :twisted:

That wouldn't work with a Mk1 would it? I'd have to be a very strange shaped car that manages to rise above my rear bumper and smash my plates without any other damage. Nice gag none the less.

forgeman said

i have been stopped twice in my mk3 for german plates and got fined once if you keep a broken num plate in the car and make up some story about some one reversed into me :twisted:

   coz all coppers are really thick and always fall for a tall story, no one ever tells them lies….ever….

Besides that you be better off in most cases just being honest, it may? lessen the treatment given.

regardless of hard luck storys if the plate is illegal its illegal, period, if its on the car, being driven on a road the offence is complete, and tall tales like your aunties, cousins cat let the handbrake off her 1971 hilmann imp which rolled down hill and damaged you number plate and an eagle swooped down and stole the broken one :wink:  dont work, they just make you look silly

I have legal "old school" pressed metal plates on my car, yellow and white, they carry a makers stamp and are reflective with correct size British letters and numbers

http://www.theplateman.com/ is always worth an ask as well  8)