Your number’s up
In case you missed our previous warnings on this subject, here is a refresher! The DVLA has recently published notice of several changes to the regulations regarding the display of vehicle registrations in the UK, all of which have the potential to catch out unwary scooterists.
Classic black
Firstly, as from January 1, 2021, there were important changes introduced that affect the ability of vehicles registered in the historic tax class to display the old-style pre-1973 black and silver number plates. Following the change in definition of a historic vehicle for vehicle tax exemption purposes in 2015, an issue was identified in the regulatory requirements for the valid display of a black and silver number plate. This resulted in an unintended consequence where any vehicle over 40 years old and registered in the historic tax class would be permitted to display an old-style black and silver number plate. This was despite the law previously requiring all vehicles first registered after January 1, 1973 to display yellow and white number plates with black characters. As this was never the intention, the DVLA is issuing a legal correction which will prevent any vehicle constructed after January 1, 1980 from being able to display the black and silver number plate, even if it's recorded in the DVLA's historic tax class. Those vehicles with a construction date prior to January 1, 1980 will continue to be able to legally display black and silver number plates to avoid any undue costs of replacement. It should be stressed that there are no changes to the rolling 40-year ‘entry point' for vehicles becoming tax and MoT exempt.
Euro zone
Anyone with a trip to Europe planned may also wish to note that from January 1, 2021, it will no longer be permissible to fix a new number plate displaying a Euro symbol. Riders of scooters that already have the GB EU symbol won't have to change them, but they will need to display an oval GB sticker when driving in Europe.
Special effects
Finally the DVLA is currently drafting a revised British Standard for number plates produced from September 1, 2021. These will ban black lettering that creates a 3D effect or highlighting. The letters and numbers will also have to be only a single shade of black.
As the saying goes, you pays your money and you takes your choice, but don't say we didn't warn you...