Can anyone help me with information about vintage number plates. I have a 1960 Airstream and I would like to fit an old style non reflective square number plate to the rear. With correct size font etc. Does anyone know if its legal? Also are there any regulations stating which side of the trailer the plate has to be mounted?
I belive the number plate has to apply to the towing vehicle not the trailer, thus if the towing vehicle is not vintage you cannot fit a vintage plate to the trailer
I'd tend to agree, it might be acceptable if being towed by a pre-1973 towcar with original type plates (but then you'd probably need one of those old trailer signs - white "T" with small red reflectors, in addition to the modern red triangles )
Quote: Originally posted by moorlander999 on 21/5/2014
It applies to the date of first registration ...and if your airstream was manufactured in 1960 and you can prove that.....you are ok
That is the regulation for the colour of the plates on a REGISTERED vehicle, and as caravans and trailers are NOT registered in the UK then it doesn't apply. Manufacturing dates for caravans and trailers is immaterial!
The plates have to be the same type and colour as fitted to the towing vehicle.
If you want to put a pre '73 black/silver pressed ally numberplate on caravan then do that, you might get away with it but as stated not legal as in UK caravan becomes part of towcar so you will need modern plate with modern towcar. Cops could issue fixed penaty if they had nowt better to do.
However, old UK plate is hardly authentic, you need a US style plate with your towcar number, you can get them but not legal for road use either so you could get a US plate with anything you like on, funny slogan or whatever or just an old UK plate. It would look nice on site & you could fix a modern plate over the top with bulldog clips for towing on the road.
Sorry if my post was misunderstood....just he to clarify....silver plates are ok for Road vehicles first registered before 1-1-73.....so if you have a pre 73 car you can fit both the car and trailer with silver plates.
If your car is post 1-1-73 you have to fit black on yellow to the rear, Black on White to the front and irrespective of the age of the trailer..it must have black on yellow.
The legislation changes slightly from post 2001 which applies to the construction materials - reflectivity- type of lettering....ie. flat surface plates , not the type which were plastic lettering applied to the surface of the plate so that the letters were proud of the plate..
Fines are up to £1000, plus the Police could make you purchase a legal plate before you continue your journey, which means you would need to carry all the documents required to do that, impounding your caravan in the mean time, and possibly incurring you storage charges. Even a Fixed Penalty Notice is £60!!
And yes it has happened; North Wales Police can be quite strict!!
As mentioned max fine £1000 but usually £60 spot fine for first time.
If caught more than once DVLA could take number back so you would need to reregister car with new number causing more hassle.
One local Police Motor Section I used to visit to take part in an assesed motorcyle ride used to have a rogues gallery of all the illegal licence plates they had stopped recently.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Vintage number plates
)
