Hey guys, long story short, last year I got pulled over for having bent number plates in the back of my zed (1991 Jap spec 2+0). The cop warned me that if did not change it within a week, I would be screwed. As such I ran to the RTA, they said we cannot help, police station did not help, I went to my mechanic, he drilled the number plate on my back bumper, I had no other choice. So yesterday, I went to get my inpscetion for rego, guy failed me for not having a light on the number plate, something about wrong position. I called RTA, still not willing to help. Any other zedders with imported zeds face the same problem? If so, what did you do? My rego is due in 3 days and I really need some ideas fast. I was thinking about trimming the sides of the number plates, but thats illegal. Basically the plates bend a little bit around the left and right sides. Please help.
cut some slots in the sides of the number plate recess so you can fit the plate in without bending it.
Mines bent, cops can't do shit about it. Did you get a defect mate? If you need a blueslip or pinkslip PM me, i have a guy for that lol.
Haven't done it yet. The ADR's state that that a number plate may be modified to fit a specific bumper if it is the only option available. So long as it's visible to a maximum of a 45* angle at a range of 20m, it's legal.
yeah, but it doesn't matter how legal it is; all that matters is how legal johnny law think it is when he pulls you over. I used to keep a print out of the ADR's in my glove box in case I was ever questioned.
Another hero cop saving the world. F.F.S since when has a accident been caused by a bent number plate ?. Mines bent and any copper that tells me it's illegal will be told bluntly to pull his head in.
if its not too much trouble, could you tell me the link to the ADR's. Il keep them on me, just incase. Thanks a lot for your help, really!
Trimming the edges by about 1cm.... of the rear plate seems logical and fits nicely without any issues. The numbers are visible as per normal and the state logo such as NSW for eg is still visible. Never had any issues and it has passed BLUE slips with this modification. Anyone that comments on this is nit picking / struggling to find something. Peter
Mine have had a 1cm bend on each end for about 10 years, and never been looked at or questioned at any point. IT IS an offence under the Motor Traffic Act to "Deface a Registration Plate", so don't think that you can argue the "right" to cut pieces off the ends(even bending IS ILLEGAL). The safest method is cutting the slots in either side of the number plate recess. Where in Sydney do you live(you can bring your car over to my place and I'll slot the bar for you with a Dremel).
ive had both of mine bent for a while and everytime i get pulled over and they walk around the car they havnt called me out on it so big deal. Tell them to fist themselves.
Pexzed researched this issue extensively as far as it related to QLD .... he may be able to provide a range the references he posted about it. IIRC, the outcome was that if the OEM plate fitting space dictated some minor modification (e.g. bending) to the QLD plate for it to fit, then that did not constitute a breach of appropriate legislation ... Pex did post up the relevant legislation to be kept as a glove box reference in case of need (which of course i did not do !!!).
decisions...... cut the beloved cars bumper or cut the plate.... know which way I went Cut 10mm off each end of the plate..... go to an autografix store (sticker maker) and get a 3mm wide strip of reflective white vinyl and stick it to the edges of the plate...... this replaces the line you've cut off. re-fit number plate ...... stand back and play spot the differance mutherphucker works a treat
i just grinded my plates down then got a blue marker and re drew the border around it been pulled over many of times and they havent said a thing!
for what its worth mine's trimmed and never had an issue, u must have struck a very thorough policeperson, was it very late at night? and did you have his daughter in the car at the time ?? trim it touch up the edges, find a new date, good luck
Yes, that is for Queensland, although most states will likely have similar clauses. Just do a search of the legislation in NSW. Here's the problem. A policeman is a jack of all trades and a master of none. By this I mean that an individual policeman/woman can not know everything about traffic law, there's just too much crap law out there. That's why we have lawyers, Barristers and Judges who get paid substantially more. Even the law is split into areas because it's too much for any one person to master. It is written into police powers that you can be defected legally if the police "suspect" something is defective, so really, do your research, and if it is legal, keep the legislation in your glove-box, but be polite to whoever pulls you up. If you go for any inspection and it passes, keep a record of that in your glove-box. Political correctness and nanny state ideology makes for interesting times
