Stick on vinyl number plates

[badappleuk]

Moderator comment - thread renamed for clarity from "Stick on number plate"

I'm switching the number plate on my Model S to a personalised reg.

I was thinking, is it legal / possible to get one of the vinyl, “sticker” number plates and put it directly onto the nose lift.

In my head it could create a super flush, almost invisible look on the front (I’ve a white car).

I just wondered if anyone had already done it and had any advice, seems possible.

 

[Roy W.]

I was thinking, is it legal / possible to get one of the vinyl, “sticker” number plates and put it directly onto the nose lift.

I’m not sure as to the legality etc. You might want to ask a company that makes the plates. There was a Model 3 at Fully Charged with a stick on plate, and it looked really smart, but it was LHD car. I have seen them here on the front of Alfa Romeos, where they have the off-centre front plate.

I’m not keen on the front plate holder that Tesla use on the M3, so I was perhaps going to go down that route myself.

Let us know what you decide to do!

 

[electricspace]

I really want to do this. And I hope the fuzz allow it provided its meet readability regs. Be a shame to mess up the nose.

 

[RjbT3]

Well, this site sells them and they claim on their site that, as a business...

• WE ARE DVLA APPROVED
• 100% LEGAL AND MEET DVLA REQUIREMENTS

Approved Superior Quality Reflective Vinyl Number Plates, Printed ‘Unique Sub Surface’ for greater protection in plain digits only.

 

[tess19]

How easy is it to remove after a few years on the car?

 

[tonyj01]

Here is one I did earlier . . . September 2016, I prefer the white nose cone effect on my "pre facelift" 2016 car

View media item 120012

Tony

 

[alexp2]

Well, this site sells them and they claim on their site that, as a business...

• WE ARE DVLA APPROVED
• 100% LEGAL AND MEET DVLA REQUIREMENTS

Approved Superior Quality Reflective Vinyl Number Plates, Printed ‘Unique Sub Surface’ for greater protection in plain digits only.

The DVLA site has various info on what's allowed here: Displaying number plates
And goes into greater depth on fonts and stuff in this PDF: https://assets.publishing.service.g...stration-numbers-and_number-plates-inf104.pdf

But none of that seems to preclude a reflective vinyl. And That OneStop Numberplates are listed as an approved DVLA supplier on their site, so on that basis they seem like they would be legal.

(But I am not a lawyer so don't trust me!)

 

[RjbT3]

What's the worse that could happen? I expect it would just be a warning from a copper. At the end of the day, the plate would be clear, legible and readable by all the electronic numberplate snoopers.

 

[Jason71]

I've been wondering about that not just for aesthetics but since drag is so important on an EV I also wondered if a stick on plate would be better than the current ones that which the cars were never really designed for. Could it really make much difference?

 

[Rob R]

How easy is it to remove after a few years on the car?

Like the GB stickers, put a thin layer of Vaseline on the paint before you stick it on.

 

[Rob R]

I do not think there is any law says the numbers must be on a totally flat face, but it must be legible, in the opinion of Plod.

 

[GeorgeSymonds]

Done it, and not a problem so far. I think a prefcelift might be an issue.

When you take the old bracket off you'll be left with a few small holes. I didn't even bother filling those but you can see them just about through the new number plate.

 

[MrBadger]

I think this sounds a great idea and don't think there should be any problem, certainly nothing in official documentation as to how it should be mounted. It wasn't unusual once to have stick on plates on front of a bonnet, although I suspect that may now raise a few comments if it was not visible to cameras and readable by ANPR. If you want to be 100% sure, ask an MOT tester as it will be them who will be most punishing when it comes down to license plate legality.

I'm involved in a team that builds and races electric cars as part of the Greenpower project. Just recently, I needed to quickly source a pit board so I thought about using a number plate - just letters. I tried a couple of the usual suspects around here, but they all refused. Apparently, its more than their lives are worth to be an official number plate supplier and supply an illegal number plate. Halfords said it was even impossible for their machine to now product an illegal number plate. Thankfully I found a local graphics company who, in addition to official plates, could produce what is effectively a show plate and all was good and even bigger and better than a high street one at nearly twice the cost. I'll probably try them if we change plates and I don't like the officially supplied mount. If anyone in North Surrey/Hants wants their details, just PM me.

Must be more aerodynamic than any extruded plate surely?

 

[badappleuk]

Here is one I did earlier . . . September 2016, I prefer the white nose cone effect on my "pre facelift" 2016 car

View media item 120012

Tony

Can’t view it Tony. Says I’m not allowed! Would love to see it.

 

[badappleuk]

Well, this site sells them and they claim on their site that, as a business...

• WE ARE DVLA APPROVED
• 100% LEGAL AND MEET DVLA REQUIREMENTS

Approved Superior Quality Reflective Vinyl Number Plates, Printed ‘Unique Sub Surface’ for greater protection in plain digits only.

Thank you, Just ordered some now. Will let you know how I get on!

 

[RjbT3]

Thank you, Just ordered some now. Will let you know how I get on!

Pleasure. I would definitely be interested as I'm thinking of the same with my M3.

 

[tonyj01]

Can’t view it Tony. Says I’m not allowed! Would love to see it.

I have run forums for 20+ years!!!

Here is an image post with BB code

I have had some issues over the years. This nose cone does have holes in it to hold the original plate holder. Initially I had the nose cone wrapped by a specialist.

Since that time, this gave me issues with Direct Line insurance as they would not cover a car with a wrap, even this small part. I therefore had the wrap removed, the holes filled, and the cone was painted. Direct Line were then happy to cover the "modification".

Tony

 

[Rob R]

I have run forums for 20+ years!!!

Here is an image post with BB code

I have had some issues over the years. This nose cone does have holes in it to hold the original plate holder. Initially I had the nose cone wrapped by a specialist.

Since that time, this gave me issues with Direct Line insurance as they would not cover a car with a wrap, even this small part. I therefore had the wrap removed, the holes filled, and the cone was painted. Direct Line were then happy to cover the "modification".

Tony

Will Direct Line cover transparent paint protection film wraps? Never occurred to me insurers might not like this.

 

[WannabeOwner]

Will Direct Line cover transparent paint protection film wraps? Never occurred to me insurers might not like this

I think you need to ask them, certainly some insurers don't

 

[Pd2717]

I fancy doing this on my model S. how easy is it to remove the front plate holder?