number plates

[LeStempy]

It's not possible to have personal plates here and quite difficult to even stray from the legal layout and size. When I first gained the registration I went to buy a set of plates at a garage but legal size won't fit into the Elgrand recess at the rear. When I asked the guy to cut them down to fit he almost fainted at the thought of doing such a thing. I fitted a motorbike size plate for a while and eventually found an online supplier that will make the correct size for the Elgrand in French format and thankfully haven't had any issues with police or test centres.

I had personal plates in the UK and was pulled and ticketed for one of them due to dodgy spacing. After that it made me realise that they serve no purpose other than showing off and lining the pocket of the treasury.

 

[Bob Edwards]

well thats me fooked with the buggy then front and back are nowhere near the right size i think they are smaller than a motorcycle on it when i bought it

 

[WhatsThisFor]

The ultimate number plate holder, if you’re going to do it, do it properly….’ shaken not stirred.’

 

[JohnK]

Going to apply mine tomorrow and then keep fingers crossed I don't lose my ULEZ-compliance in error (as happened the last time I applied my pre-ULEZ dated private plate to a 2012-registered petrol car...)

Ulez database updates automatically but not instantly - I think it's done about once a month.
So they will start charging you once you change the plates until the next scheduled update.
I would recommend contacting them in advance with evidence of the change so even if they dont immediately act on it you'll be in a more advantageous position to challenge the charges.

 

[Michael6457]

It's not only number plates that are at fault in Birmingham, I have seen an increase in windscreen tint that don't allow you to see who's driving, a few weeks back the police had pull a car in local Tesco car for windscreen tint, clearly told driver to remove tint or the car would be impounded driver told them were to go and when I had finished shopping car was on back of lorry

 

[Mouse1]

Never understood the appeal of plates which are obviously intended to say something other than the true registration mark of the vehicle. If people want to take a chance on pretending their number plate says something other than the actual reg of their car, they really can't moan when they get pulled over for it.

There's a reason numberplate sizes, layouts and lettering are standardised so that they can be read correctly by ANPR, by the police and by any other witnesses to accidents etc.

Most people who are using their cars on the road tax and insure their cars, and hate the idea of getting hit by someone who isn't taxed and insured. So why go out of your way to make your number plate be misread or claim that it's a good thing to be able to do that? Makes no sense to me.

Perhaps because, whilst being fully legal, some of us don't want to be tracked wherever we go - a bit like the explosion of biometric cameras going up everywhere, including supermarkets !! Be like China very soon!

 

[-Lummox-]

Perhaps because, whilst being fully legal, some of us don't want to be tracked wherever we go - a bit like the explosion of biometric cameras going up everywhere, including supermarkets !! Be like China very soon!

So you'll be removing the plates from your car and driving without any then? ;-)

See also: deleting your Amazon and Google accounts, and not carrying a mobile phone with you wherever you go, if you're really that worried about people tracking your movements and habits... Maybe living off-grid too for good measure...

Everyone's lives are tracked in far more detail than most people would voluntarily choose, and crucially, have been for many years - it's not a new thing despite what the tin-hat brigade would have you believe... but the reality is that there's very little anyone can do about it if they aren't prepared to take those steps above, and most people aren't because they value convenience over keeping their personal information out of databases...

 

[-Lummox-]

Ulez database updates automatically but not instantly - I think it's done about once a month.
So they will start charging you once you change the plates until the next scheduled update.
I would recommend contacting them in advance with evidence of the change so even if they dont immediately act on it you'll be in a more advantageous position to challenge the charges.

Thankfully although I live near London, I don't have to drive into it very often at all, so hopefully it will come out in the wash before I next need to.

I am curious as to whether or not I will need to re-register the car with TFL for blue badge purposes though, as the number plate that is now on it was already registered with them (my wife is disabled and has a blue badge, and you can apply a blue badge to 2 vehicles which we did, hers and mine - but the system is an absolute shambles when it comes to removing vehicles, so I was never able to remove the old car/reg when I sold it).

FWIW I did think ahead and printed the ULEZ and CAZ search results pages to PDF for the original reg of the vehicle, so that I can submit those as attachments to any later appeal if necessary.

 

[Mouse1]

So you'll be removing the plates from your car and driving without any then? ;-)

See also: deleting your Amazon and Google accounts, and not carrying a mobile phone with you wherever you go, if you're really that worried about people tracking your movements and habits... Maybe living off-grid too for good measure...

Everyone's lives are tracked in far more detail than most people would voluntarily choose, and crucially, have been for many years - it's not a new thing despite what the tin-hat brigade would have you believe... but the reality is that there's very little anyone can do about it if they aren't prepared to take those steps above, and most people aren't because they value convenience over keeping their personal information out of databases...

No, I won't be removing my plates! I don't have an amazon or google accounts and I don't have a smartphone. As I said, I am fully legal and pay all my taxes etc. What I object to is the ever increasing amount of tracking now coming. It was nowhere near as much a few years ago. Biometric cameras were not in use - drones to track people etc etc.

I would disgaree that there is little people can do - use cash instead of cards or phones - ditch the smart phones - don't sign up to each and every log in - use small shops instead of supermarkets. I value convenience but will sacrifice this for more privacy.

What is the "tin hat brigade" that you refer to ?

 

[JohnK]

Thankfully although I live near London, I don't have to drive into it very often at all, so hopefully it will come out in the wash before I next need to.

I am curious as to whether or not I will need to re-register the car with TFL for blue badge purposes though, as the number plate that is now on it was already registered with them (my wife is disabled and has a blue badge, and you can apply a blue badge to 2 vehicles which we did, hers and mine - but the system is an absolute shambles when it comes to removing vehicles, so I was never able to remove the old car/reg when I sold it).

FWIW I did think ahead and printed the ULEZ and CAZ search results pages to PDF for the original reg of the vehicle, so that I can submit those as attachments to any later appeal if necessary.

Before you next need you drive into ULEZ zone you could check on the TFL checker beforehand to make sure its been updated. That way you'd know in advance and be prepared.

As I understand it, the blue badge register does not update automatically so you will need to register the new plate with TFL.

 

[-Lummox-]

Drones to track people? Can't say I've ever seen that happen, except maybe in films like Enemy of the State?

Digital tracking of transactions etc absolutely happens because it can be done very cheaply and has a cash value in terms of targeting sales, so corporations will always try to do that for commercial reasons, but it wanders into the realms of paranoia when people start talking about personal surveillance of individuals (or especially of the public at large) using drones etc which would have a much bigger physical cost and much less commerical value. Who would pay for it, and why? What would be the return on the cost?

Corporations track shopping habits because they want to selll more of their product. HMRC tries to track financial transactions to get more tax. What would be the cash benefit of surveilling members of the public with drones??? I can't personally see what profit could be made from that which would outweigh the cost of doing it, which makes it broadly speaking unlikely (IMO).

And of all the things you've listed there that people *could* do, they are down to personal choice and most people wouldn't make the choices you suggest in order to avoid being trackable. I never said it *couldn't* be done (to an extent at least) - I said for most people, the convenience of using those things outweighs their perceived importance of avoiding being tracked, or the perceived negatives / dangers of not taking those steps. There's a world of difference between what people can do, and what they are prepared to do. Each to their own though.

 

[WhatsThisFor]

The Police do use drones for surveillance and tracking people’s movements.

I have several people following me on this very forum, I don’t think they are Chinese though.

 

[-Lummox-]

As I understand it, the blue badge register does not update automatically so you will need to register the new plate with TFL.

That's what I mean, the plate I have just applied to the vehicle is already registered, so not sure it will even let me register it again.

When I open my TFL Auto Pay account, the plate I've just applied is already there, as one of my registered vehicles (though it has no vehicle details next to it), unlike my Elgrand's original reg.

Under the personal reg, it says 100% discount (even though it isn't seemingly associated with a specific vehicle) and has the following text:
Charge details
Tunnels 100% discount This vehicle is currently registered for a 100% discount on the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels charge. To see when the discount expires, visit 'Manage discounts' in your account.
CC 100% discount This vehicle is currently registered for a 100% discount from this charge. Check when the discount expires in the 'Manage discounts' section of your account.
ULEZ Meets the standard This vehicle either meets the ULEZ emissions standards, is exempt or you don't have to pay the charge for it.

Guess I'll just have to keep an eye on it and see whether the Elgrand's details appear alongside the numberplate in the next week or two.

 

[-Lummox-]

The Police do use drones for surveillance and tracking people’s movements.

I have several people following me on this very forum, I don’t think they are Chinese though.

I don't contest that drones are used for surveillance of specific individuals e.g. by the Police when they are tracking suspects. What I was raising an eyebrow to metaphorically was the suggestion of drones tracking people when mentioned alongside biometric cameras in supermarkets. As if the two were comparable and drones were broadly being used to surveil large numbers of the public. That's when the idea starts to veer away from realistic, practical applications and into the realms of the paranoid.

 

[Cato Fong]

I used these guys;

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Based in Jersey, Channel Islands - their plates carry a postcode and BS number but you don't need to send documents - some form of loophole? I have been through two subsequent MOT's OK. They also did the rear plate so it fitted the aperture neatly.

Possibly not the cheapest and frankly poor aftersales service - no reply to email I sent on receipt asking if they had been supplied with peel off protective film - the yellow looked a bit matt.

 

[AdrianC]

thank guys all sorted now

 

[Mouse1]

I don't contest that drones are used for surveillance of specific individuals e.g. by the Police when they are tracking suspects. What I was raising an eyebrow to metaphorically was the suggestion of drones tracking people when mentioned alongside biometric cameras in supermarkets. As if the two were comparable and drones were broadly being used to surveil large numbers of the public. That's when the idea starts to veer away from realistic, practical applications and into the realms of the paranoid.

Have you not heard about councils sending staff on courses on how to fly drones? They will be fitted with biometric cameras. Not paranoid, just realistic.

Are you happy with biometric cameras everywhere ?

 

[-Lummox-]

Can't say I've heard anything about that from any reputable news sources, got any links?

I tried a quick Google on it but mainly turned up GBeebies content which is about as reliable as the Daily Sport used to be...

ETA: thought I might add the below search result from Grok (which is itself somewhat right-leaning by virtue of being Elon's own AI product) before anyone flames me for poking fun at GB News...

Is GB News reporting factually accurate?
GB News is a right-leaning UK television and radio news channel, often compared to Fox News in style, with a heavy emphasis on opinion-based programming alongside news segments. Assessments of its factual accuracy are mixed but generally critical from independent media watchdogs.

Bias and Reliability Ratings​

Media Bias/Fact Check rates GB News as strongly right-biased with mixed factual reporting, citing numerous failed fact checks (e.g., misleading claims on COVID-19 vaccines and immigration), promotion of conspiracy theories or pseudoscience, and lack of transparency in ownership/funding. It labels the outlet as "questionable" overall due to these issues.

Ground News aggregates ratings and assigns it lean right bias with mixed factuality, drawing from sources like MBFC and Ad Fontes Media (which does not appear to rate GB News highly or at all in public charts, focusing more on mainstream outlets).

Regulatory Issues​

Ofcom, the UK broadcasting regulator, has found GB News in breach of impartiality rules multiple times, including a £100,000 fine in 2024 for a programme featuring then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak without sufficient balance. However, GB News successfully challenged several Ofcom rulings in court (e.g., in 2025, a High Court decision quashed breaches related to programmes hosted by politicians like Jacob Rees-Mogg, ruling Ofcom had misapplied its code to current affairs shows).

Criticisms and Defenses​

Critics, including fact-checking sites and analysts, argue it prioritizes partisan narratives over accuracy, with examples of false or misleading claims. Supporters and the channel itself emphasize it provides an alternative voice to perceived left-leaning mainstream media (e.g., BBC), and that straight news bulletins are professionally presented, while opinion is clearly segmented. Some analyses note its news selection still shows right-wing slant.

In summary, while GB News produces some accurate reporting, particularly in straightforward news, it has a documented record of factual errors, misleading content, and strong editorial bias, leading most independent evaluators to view it as less reliable than established outlets like the BBC (rated mostly factual and least biased by similar sources). Viewers should cross-reference its claims with multiple sources for balance.

 

[Mouse1]

Can't say I've heard anything about that from any reputable news sources, got any links?

I tried a quick Google on it but mainly turned up GBeebies content which is about as reliable as the Daily Sport used to be...

ETA: thought I might add the below search result from Grok (which is itself somewhat right-leaning by virtue of being Elon's own AI product) before anyone flames me for poking fun at GB News...

Is GB News reporting factually accurate?
GB News is a right-leaning UK television and radio news channel, often compared to Fox News in style, with a heavy emphasis on opinion-based programming alongside news segments. Assessments of its factual accuracy are mixed but generally critical from independent media watchdogs.

Bias and Reliability Ratings​

Media Bias/Fact Check rates GB News as strongly right-biased with mixed factual reporting, citing numerous failed fact checks (e.g., misleading claims on COVID-19 vaccines and immigration), promotion of conspiracy theories or pseudoscience, and lack of transparency in ownership/funding. It labels the outlet as "questionable" overall due to these issues.

Ground News aggregates ratings and assigns it lean right bias with mixed factuality, drawing from sources like MBFC and Ad Fontes Media (which does not appear to rate GB News highly or at all in public charts, focusing more on mainstream outlets).

Regulatory Issues​

Ofcom, the UK broadcasting regulator, has found GB News in breach of impartiality rules multiple times, including a £100,000 fine in 2024 for a programme featuring then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak without sufficient balance. However, GB News successfully challenged several Ofcom rulings in court (e.g., in 2025, a High Court decision quashed breaches related to programmes hosted by politicians like Jacob Rees-Mogg, ruling Ofcom had misapplied its code to current affairs shows).

Criticisms and Defenses​

Critics, including fact-checking sites and analysts, argue it prioritizes partisan narratives over accuracy, with examples of false or misleading claims. Supporters and the channel itself emphasize it provides an alternative voice to perceived left-leaning mainstream media (e.g., BBC), and that straight news bulletins are professionally presented, while opinion is clearly segmented. Some analyses note its news selection still shows right-wing slant.

In summary, while GB News produces some accurate reporting, particularly in straightforward news, it has a documented record of factual errors, misleading content, and strong editorial bias, leading most independent evaluators to view it as less reliable than established outlets like the BBC (rated mostly factual and least biased by similar sources). Viewers should cross-reference its claims with multiple sources for balance.

Well if you are using Google, you won't find anything, much like most of the mainstream media (GB news is mainstream media).

You have to look outside the box.

 

[jboy72]

Thankfully although I live near London, I don't have to drive into it very often at all, so hopefully it will come out in the wash before I next need to.

I am curious as to whether or not I will need to re-register the car with TFL for blue badge purposes though, as the number plate that is now on it was already registered with them (my wife is disabled and has a blue badge, and you can apply a blue badge to 2 vehicles which we did, hers and mine - but the system is an absolute shambles when it comes to removing vehicles, so I was never able to remove the old car/reg when I sold it).

FWIW I did think ahead and printed the ULEZ and CAZ search results pages to PDF for the original reg of the vehicle, so that I can submit those as attachments to any later appeal if necessary.

Grrrrrr - I didn’t think ahead and had no idea this would even be an issue! I’ve just received a ULEZ penalty charge for driving a June 2006 e51 in the Ulez zone, a car that on its previous reg was compliant. I will get another notice for a couple of day ago! I will appeal - but how can I prove my car is ULEZ compliant when we know it is a bit of a grey area? Just rely on the registration date of June 2006? Can’t believe I’m here again, after fighting for my 54 plate e51 to he recognised as ULEZ compliant several years ago! And will the TfL database actually update at any point or will I just keep getting fines as it doesn’t recognise the dateless plate? Madness