Number Plate Surrounds

[Notfer]

What are peoples views of number plate surrounds?

Personally, I think they add a subtle flair, with bold outline of the plate. I’ve had them on my last two cars, and it’s made them more aesthetically pleasing.

With that in mind, I’ve purchased my first “mod” for my Corolla…although they’ll be sat in the box they came in for the next few months until the car arrives.

These were like hens teeth to find too!

[FROSTYBALLS]

Not particularly bothered either way myself.

With the number plate changes coming in from the start of March, they should be OK as long as they don't obscure any of the details on the plate (eg supplier's business name and postcode, the number plate manufacturer's name and the new BS standard the plates meet.

[Kental]

If the plates your dealer provides are lipped then your surrounds won’t fit

[Notfer]

59 minutes ago, Kental said:

If the plates your dealer provides are lipped then your surrounds won’t fit

My private reg will be going on with them, plates in hand, so all good.

[FROSTYBALLS]

37 minutes ago, Notfer said:

My private reg will be going on with them, plates in hand, so all good.

Are they to the new standard though as there are changes to what font is legal?

[Notfer]

6 minutes ago, FROSTYBALLS said:

Are they to the new standard though as there are changes to what font is legal?

Just read up on the new rules - and yes, they comply. Never been a fan of the raised 3D/4D plates anyway, and the business has always been displayed at the bottom. I thought that was a legal requirement currently anyway?

[Parts-King]

The surround should be legal, so long as it does not obscure any part of the plate. I hear so much twaddle from "experts" who want their plate illegally spaced, I have had to enlighten a lot of people about the illegal plates

LEGAL PLATE EXAMPLE. Note: UK would be the latest flag shown 

[Notfer]

Just now, Parts-King said:

The surround should be legal, so long as it does not obscure any part of the plate. I hear so much twaddle from "experts" who want their plate illegally spaced, I have had to enlighten a lot of people about the illegal plates

LEGAL PLATE EXAMPLE

It was done a few years ago by my families mechanics. Nothing fancy, all above board. Although I'd have preferred the Wales moniker, rather than the GB (EU) flag, but hey ho.

I've just checked either way (my plates are on retention), and nothing is obscured.

[Parts-King]

You can display a Welsh Red Dragon, plate identifiers become blurred if going abroad, these are the only identifiers allowed

https://www.gov.uk/displaying-number-plates/flags-symbols-and-identifiers

[Swanthecat]

Just out of interest does anyone know if after the changes made to number plates in 2021 are retrospective I.e is a plate which was on a car before the change now considered illegal? I have a 3D font (non raised type) on my car which was fitted over a year ago. The first MOT is due in September so will it be flagged up?

[Parts-King]

Depends on the BS number of the plate. Old BS AU145D allows for other fonts, ie 3D etc, but if the plate is a BS AU 145E, then it can only have, solid black, standard font, the regs for the plate are further up this page 

[Swanthecat]

33 minutes ago, Parts-King said:

Depends on the BS number of the plate. Old BS AU145D allows for other fonts, ie 3D etc, but if the plate is a BS AU 145E, then it can only have, solid black, standard font, the regs for the plate are further up this page 

Thanks. Yes it does have the old BS number so should be OK