Black numbers plates

Anyone know what the law is on black number plate with white lettering. Seen them on old skool bobbers, how legal are they??

They are not legal in any way, some coppers will let you go if they see you but some will not cause it all depends on how busy they are or are not as the case maybe. I wouldnt risk those but I am sure some will say go for it. They are the old style plate and I think Germany were using that type last. Not sure what the penalty is tho, if it is only a small fine then I spose its worth risking it but not if it could be more

Combined with loud pipes and a few other boarder line legal items, its probably best not to go down that route then. Small fines add up!!!

Thats the worry stone a combination of things can take a friendly-ish copper in to a dog that wont let go  

Been there before. Cost me #60. Pipe and titch plate!

That was on a race rep though. Coppers seam to give cruisers more slack.

As long as your not over the top they will often turn a blind eye in my experience. Best keep the illegal stuff to things that will really enhance the machine.

Hi, just read this post,
Old style black and white plates are allowed on vehicles registered before Jan 1st 1973,,, the back ground of the plate is black but the lettering can be grey, silver or white,,, I have never known any one being fined for using them but I know of two people who were told to replace them with correct plate, visit a garage , get paperwork stamped to confirmed compliance and show cops said paperwork,,,, I agree fully with what dave said, as long as you not in there face with it the police don't seem to mind with cruisers,,, I asked traffic cops about this a couple of years ago at Cleveland police ride well event and they said much the same,, also the fact that many new bikes look like old bikes and they are not to sure so as long as you are not being an arse they don't tend to bother.
What a policeman said about it "If Police become involved Fixed Penalty Notices or Vehicle Defect Notices may be issued. DVLA can fine you up to £1000 and if it is a private number take it off you. Your vehicle will also fail the MoT test."

As stated above regarding the law.The issues are by using these number plates they will get you noticed which can cause you problems with BiB. They do not conform and as the saying goes you pays your money and takes your chances.

Yep, John's right with the before 1st Jan 1973 for the use of number plates with black backgrounds with white,silver or grey letters.

Also with the comment re-failing on an MOT if such a plate is fitted to a 'later' (newer) bike.
Same goes for smaller plates & non standard (i.e. Not 'Approved' size plate & letters)... they will fail an MOT (Unless you know a friendly tester). A friend had one of his bikes failed at MOT for non standard script/font of letters & I once had an advisory for a non reflective yellow background on one of my trail bikes in the past. (The plate was fitted on the bike when I bought it).

The recent government squeezes on enforcement agency budgets mean there is a push to generate income internally - so the threat of fixed penalty notices could be more likely in the future - Sad world - that even UKIP can't fix ! .... All I can say is tread carefully .... as Ledzep says .... yer pays yer money ....

Here's my non standard plate .... I could probably get away with a black & White one as it's an older registration no ( not pre 1973 though ! ) 

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My MOT tester just insists a legal plate is displayed during the test so I just attach it to the existing plate with double sided sticky pads and then remove it when I get my pass certificate 


True, we cruiser riders get away with more than our "Power Ranger" colleagues ..... Not sure why, but I'll take that all day long  

Yes Mick,
That is the usual way of getting thru' the MOT ..... & the script/font on your plate is not as 'bad' as some .... but I do know of some cases of Dibble pulling a vehicle for 'the wrong type of lettering/numbers' ..... it was just a telling off & the owner had to go to the local police station with 'normal' plates on. In the example I was thinking of, the owner left the normal plates on after this 'hassle'.

As you say, cruisers tend to get a bit more lea-way.
I like your Avitar on your plate Mick   

Cheers    Yam

Be careful guys, illegal plates can be an insurance LOOPHOLE,  

stingray wrote:

Be careful guys, illegal plates can be an insurance LOOPHOLE,  

I think its got so silly now, that is probably true with some. You only have insurance if they cant get out of not paying in some way or other