Police On Lookout For Dodgy Plates

Once again, the issue of illegal number plates hits the headlines. As the sightings of illegal registrations soar, police are now keeping their eyes peeled on the roads for any plates that are being displayed illegally.

Many may wonder what all the fuss is about - a personalised number plate is just a bit of fun for many people. But, we shouldn't forget that car registrations are required for one main reason - for identification. This is the whole reason why number plates were introduced back in 1903 (when some of my colleagues were just wee nippers!) and, although it's great to have some fun with number plates, we shouldn't forget this.

Altering of characters and character spacing is one of the main changes police are seeing. This is done so that a particular name or phrase can be created (without the expense of a truly great plate). Fonts other than the standard are also making regular appearances. Although they may make a car stand out from the crowd, they may be difficult to read. In the event of an accident or car theft, a witness or roadside camera may not be able to identify it.

If caught, a £1000 fine will be issued. Not really worth it. My advice? Save up and buy a plate that you really like, and which looks great without any dodgy amendments. Just think, all those who receive a fine could have spent that money elsewhere - like on a great personalised number plate!

As I mentioned last week though, dodgy suppliers will soon be facing bigger penalties themselves. From November 1st, fines of up to £2500 will be issued. Do make sure you steer clear of these companies though - you've been warned!

Happy weekend everyone!

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Forget Speed Cameras...

Now and again, I come across news that simply baffles me. The subject of today's discussion is a new concept put forward by Northumbia Police, which requires residents in the village of Swarland, Northumberland to note down registration numbers of cars they think might be over the speed limit.

The idea is that, once reported, alleged offenders will be issued letters and number plates details will be stored on a database. If reported twice, motorists will have an officer knocking at the door and, after three complaints, will become a target for police to monitor. I am a little confused about this. Firstly, apart from those idiots who speed past a children's play area, obviously doing well over 30mph, is it really that easy to tell how fast someone is going? It may be especially difficult for those who do not drive themselves.

The other main issue is that this is surely asking Joe public to take on the role of policeman (or woman). Now, we all enjoy a bit of light-hearted dress up now and again, but this is surely a bit too far. Northumbria Police have been further criticised by some, who feel that this concept avoids the enforcement of road traffic law and prosecuting dangerous drivers. I agree. It only takes one instance of speeding to cause an accident. If drivers are simply issued with a letter first of all (and this is only if someone has been hanging about with a pen and paper ready to witness it), many will surely continue to speed?

This idea came about due to complaints that motorists do not slow down when entering the village from faster roads. However, I'm sure the complainants didn't expect to become traffic monitors themselves! Whatever happened to speed cameras?

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Ronaldo Scores With Top Number Plate

Manchester United star, Cristiano Ronaldo, is the latest in an infinite line of celebrities to purchase a magnificent personalised registration. CR 7, which clearly represents the Portuguese player's initials as well as his shirt number at Old Trafford, was purchased for a whopping £150,000. Not the largest amount of money we've seen spent on a plate this year but still a hefty sum, nonetheless.

The cherished plate, a number Ronaldo has reportedly been after for some time, will take pride of place on his £140,000 silver Bentley convertible. Here we see yet another grand example of how number plates are a marvellous investment. CR 7 has already proven to be worth more than the stunning vehicle it's being displayed on and, with interest in plates continuing to increase, this cherished number is sure to increase in value tremendously.

Yep, I would say that Ronaldo has chosen a brilliant plate there. CR 7 is a perfect personalised registration for him. And it seems Ronaldo is more sure than anyone about the brilliance of CR 7. According to reports, the star has selected various personal items of his to display his 'logo'. Apparently, CR 7 appears on sofas, bed cushions (I imagine this is so that he can be reminded of his glorious status both morning and night), jewellery and even on a cupboard. So, pretty much everything then.

Well, he may have gone a tad overboard with the logo distribution, but the personalised registration is, undoubtedly, a winning purchase.

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News From Down Under!

Many of you will be familiar with our previous reports about instances of rude or potentially offensive number plates being withheld in both the UK and the USA. The reason for our interest? Well, to us, it seems that the DVLA and certain American authorities are just a little too over-cautious. Since when does SEXRXRR represent sex, drugs and rock & roll? And even if it did, would it really matter? Would the sensitive citizens of Nevada really find such a plate offensive?

Well, this time, it's the state of Victoria in Australia that finds itself hitting the number plates headlines. Governing body, VicRoads, is apparently struggling to keep rude number plates off the road, with a dozen sets of plates being recalled so far this year. Among those recalled were GSTAPO (understandable) and MURDA (again, understandable). Another plate pulled, however, was the rather fun LEGLIS (as in "legless"). OK, OK, I understand that there is the danger of impressionable drivers, on seeing this plate, heading straight to the nearest pub and getting completely sozzled before driving off under the influence because we, of course, do not have self-control. But I have the sneaking suspicion that motorists may just manage to have a giggle at the plate, appreciate its fun, and continue down the road at 30mph.

Personally, and I think I speak on behalf of many a driver out there, I think that silly number plates are one of the main reasons why personalised plates are so popular. There's nothing like a funny plate on your way to the dentist or your mother-in-law's to cheer you up! I wonder what VicRoads would make of Regtransfers' very own PEN 15, currently displayed on one of our company Smart cars?

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Motorists Set to Overspend With New Release

As mentioned a few days ago, it is almost time for the latest sea of brand spanking new cars to be released. Just a couple more punishing weeks to get through and these pristine beauties will be available to buy, proudly complete with their '58' registrations.

Although there will be many out there who are fortunate enough to purchase a September 2008 car outright, research carried out by Uswitch.com confirms that over half of all new cars purchased will be done so with car finance loans. Rather than shop around for a competitive loan, it seems that drivers, dead set on getting their hands on a brand new car, are making the mistake of choosing to take up garages' finance plan 'offers'.

Either motorists are trusting that reputable dealers will be providing competitive finance deals and are not reading the small print (a mistake I am proud to say I did not fall for, much to the car dealer's horror), or they simply do not realise that it is possible to get better deals. Is this really the case? Is it simply that people really do not know that they can get better finance offers elsewhere?

It is reported that drivers in the UK will waste £168 million between them, some paying around a grand extra on their cars (or more!) by signing dealers' finance schemes (which have, on average, an APR of 10.7%). Blimey, I thought the interest added on my Top Shop card was bad enough! Paying over the top for finance is an expense that can be easily avoided. Buyers just have to be less hasty - take time to look around for a good deal, rather than jump straight into the driver's seat!

My advice to all is to get looking for a competitive loan in the run up to September in order to avoid added, unnecessary expense. Right, that's my generous dose of wise words for today. My work here is done.

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Private Number Plates and Media Ineptitude...

Years ago, The Daily Express was a proper newspaper. Today, the oft-derided Daily Sport has done a more thorough job of reporting a story.

I have done my share of journalism and I still knock up the occasional magazine article. I’ve had periods of regular employment at newspapers, so I sympathise with the pressure that journalists can find themselves under to produce a steady stream of stories for publication. You only have to look back at some of the desperate nonsense I have posted on this blog to realise what a challenge it is to find fresh material.

That said, shallow, easy-target, incompetent journalism from a national newspaper (or its website) still disappoints me – even from a pornographer-owned tabloid which is frequently the butt of jokes about its editorial content, and which has recently had to extend apologies and pay damages and costs following a high-profile libel case.

The Daily Express website today carries an item in which it quotes a “survey” that says that ‘More than three-quarters of British motorists think drivers with personalised number plates are “self-obsessed idiots”’. What it doesn’t mention is that this poll, which supposedly reflects the feelings of 75% of the millions of UK drivers, is based upon a meagre sample of 2000 people. The Express’s stable mate rag, The Daily Star, ran the story in their print edition, but also decided to omit the figure that showed the flimsiness of the survey. The smutty Sport, however, disclosed the whole truth; but then, that paper is not exactly known for covering much up…

Furthermore, the Sport's version was the only one that didn't contain a glaring inaccuracy about the top prices commanded by the very best plates. The Express and Star stories claim that private plates can cost “up to £200,000”. Express "Newspapers" evidently weren’t paying attention when Afzal Kahn dominated the media with his purchase of F 1 for £440,625 less than a year ago.

Don’t believe everything you read in the papers.

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Keep An Eye On Your Number Plate!

Today's post is serious.

Over the last couple of days, I have come across countless reports of number plates theft. The first of these came in the form of a report released from Nottinghamshire Police revealing that, while vehicle crime has decreased considerably, number plates are now the target for thieves looking to avoid paying for petrol or paying congestion charges, etc. According to the report, the stealing of car registrations has gone up by nearly 50%, so it looks like it really may be a cause for concern.

I then read this morning that Bedfordshire Police are planning to offer anti-tamper number plates, which shatter if someone tries to remove them. This is due to motorists in the Beds area reporting number plates thefts. In many cases, the thieves have committed traffic offences, such as speeding, or even worse things!

It's considered that a main cause for this sudden epidemic in the UK is the increase in fuel prices. That just gets me angry - we all have to deal with that, and the last thing we need is the added hassle of having to explain to police about theft, committed on our behalf, by criminals.

So, I'm sorry folks but there are no smiles from me today, and no words of wisdom. (A rarity, I know). I do hope I'll have something a little more heartwarming to discuss tomorrow.

Oh, hold on...one of my colleagues just informed me that it is, in fact, only 125 days till Christmas. That's cheered you hasn't it! No? Blimey, nothing will please some people...

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Date Confirmed For 'F' Registrations

Most people dislike Mondays. Personally, it's Tuesday that gets me. It's not the start of the week, the end of the week, not even the somewhat charming middle of the week. Lucky for us, it's not Tuesday, it's Wednesday, so I am a relatively happy chappie. (Well, I'm not actually a 'Chap', but 'girl' doesn't really have the same ring to it. Well, I could've gone with 'lassie', but never mind.)

Anyway, to get to my point, those clever guys and gals over at the DVLA have chosen to brighten our first Tuesday in October with the release of the eagerly anticipated F prefix registrations. (The ones I mentioned a couple of days ago, which I have no doubt you will have read.) October 7th is the official date when number plates fans will be able to get their mitts on some marvellous registrations. You can even register your interest with Regtransfers now to get ahead of the game.

Hmm, maybe I'll treat myself to a great new registration, seeing as it's my birthday the next day. Ooh, that's lucky - I just escape the dreaded "Tuesday Birthday Nightmare". Phew, that was a close one!

So, Tuesday October 7th. Make a note on your calendars, folks!

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New Number Plates Hurdle

Along with the mass enthusiasm over the Olympics in Beijing (Great Britain are third in the table, yay - and with half the competitors China and USA have, I might add), came the news of the inevitable traffic congestion which was to occur as folk from all over the globe flocked to China's capital for the wondrous spectacle that is the 2008 Olympics. China's answer to this road jamming caused by the gathering of excitable, like-minded sporting fans? To introduce a new number plates ruling, barring certain number plates from entering the city on certain days! (Emergency services exempted.) And, as ridiculous as it sounds, this idea has now been adopted by Mumbai, India's financial capital. Plates ending in numbers 1 or 2 will not be allowed to enter the city on Mondays, and so on. So, do all the workers in Mumbai with such a plate get the day off, or do they car share, hike to work, grab onto the back of an ambulance? Sounds too much like hard work to me!

I think London's alternative (also adopted by Singapore) of congestion charges, is more effective. This avoids the possibility of number plates theft and does not deny certain people access to the city. Personally, I'm not exactly enthralled by either scheme. The thought of having to pay to drive in certain areas just seems ludicrous. My answer? Just don't bother going there.

Dear dear, the subject of number plates...it just crops up everywhere, doesn't it?

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The Puzzle Over Number Plates

Well, we are now once again heading towards the autumn, with the new ‘58’ number plates set to be released next month. Although the current system has been around for seven years, it appears that the new format is still causing trouble for drivers.

According to a recent survey carried out by British Car Auctions (BCA) and Honestjohn.co.uk, a third of 1,200 motorists asked could not tell the age of a car simply by looking at the number plate. Perhaps a trifle more startling, 23% of those questioned did not know that the new style number plates reveal a vehicle’s age! Finding this out, we can’t help but wonder how many unsuspecting buyers and sellers have unknowingly been conned out of cash. It can be pretty hard to tell a vehicle’s age just by looking at its condition, and we suspect that it’s likely that someone who is unclear about number plates would not exactly be an expert when it comes to cars!

Clearly, number plates are causing rather a lot of confusion. Considering that this system is set to be with us for at least another forty odd years, we’d like to think that those looking to buy or sell a car will at least get a little more clued up on number plates. We can only hope!

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Farewell to Illegal Number Plates?

Many of you will be aware that the current penalty for drivers who continue to display illegal plates is a fine of £1000. But what of those suppliers who continue to advertise unlawful registrations? So far, it seems that the driver is the only one who gets punished! Well, it has recently come to our attention that, as of 1st November 2008, any suppliers selling plates that do not comply with the DVLA regulations will be subject to a maximum fine of £2500. That’s more like it!

Some of these companies have continued to sell knowing that, with the recent clampdown on illegal registrations, those they sell to with a gleaming smile and a pat on the back, may well receive a hefty fine.

Perhaps the tables have finally turned and we may see some of these scallywag retailers having to delve into their own pockets!

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Prefix Number Plates - Here At Last!

One may be forgiven for thinking that there’s nothing much to look forward to as the summer sun starts to fade and the nights draw in. However, as autumn sweeps its way into our lives, with it will come the last remaining unissued prefix number plates. The prefix letter F and numbers in a range of 1 to 20 will be released in October (date not yet confirmed). And, if previous releases are anything to go by, it’s fairly likely that this final lot will, once again, turn number plates enthusiasts into raving lunatics! Well, at least this inevitable madness is for a worthy cause. It’s funny what a marvellous item, like a personalised number plate can do to a generally well-behaved, upstanding citizen, isn’t it?

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