Crazy world.

[sheerwater]

Hi,
Will somebody please explain why I have to provide loads of evidence as to who I am and which car a replacement numberplate is going to be fitted to....YET...my 16 year old daughter was allowed legally to buy a car without any proof of I.D. whatsoever!!!!!! Yes she can buy a car and could have driven it away from the forecourt without anything other than giving ANY name, address and paying the cash!!!! (No she didnt drive it, I did and she had to fill in an SORN to make things nice and legal) It was however taxed, MOT'd and if she had been so disposed and capable be driving a car illegally on the road whilst underage. If she had been stopped all she would have had to do was give a friends name who has a license and produce the MOT, her friends license (even a photo ID one as who checks faces) and the friends insurance (which nearly always state that they have 3rd party insurance to drive another vehicle. If she had had a crash all she need do is run as fast as she could. Crazy world.
Cheers Nige

[Clifford Pope]

You can buy stick-on black letters at ironmongers - they look just like the cheaper kind of stick-on letters that Halfords do.

Another crazy thing about the world is that there are no driver restrictions at all on commercial insurance. We wanted to add a driver to the company van, and were worried because he had an expired driving ban. The answer from the insurance company was that they were not interested in the driver's record. Anyone, with any kind of record, could drive, as long as he held a licence. No increase in premium.
He might have had a long record for drunken driving, death by dangerous driving, prison sentences, anything - they were not interested.

This is really two separate issues.

The need for ID etc. when buying number plates is to prevent "cloning" whereby a toerag scouts the streets for an identical colour/model to his own and gets a plate made up with the same number plate. He then proceeds to drive it around, parking where he likes, getting Gatso`d etc. etc. and the powers that be come after the original plate holder.

This used to be fairly common and I can think of at least one family member who has been hauled up for unpaid parking fines somewhere they have never been...

With regard to your daughter, there is no restriction on car OWNERSHIP as such - hence no need to prove who you are. My 9 year old could theoretically own a car (and drive it around on private roads!)- it`s only when it comes using/parking it on the public roads that the law takes an interest. The fact is that many people do drive without licences or while disqualified and the giving of false ID`s was one thing the photo licence was designed to address.

[Bob]

This is an EU directive, and the reasons have been listed above. It is now a pain for us as we have to appoint officials to examine the documents (originals not copies)required and then issue a certificate that this has been done, before our club plates manufacturer can make them. There are a couple of small manufacturers who specialise in old style metal plates who may suffer, as not too many would want to send their documents by post.

[niloc]

Bob, on the subject of club number plates, I know that you need all the documents before they can be issued, but can it not be done a different way? i.e. send out a club badged BLANK plate so the purchaser can have them made up locally instead. Just an idea.

[4 forty]

i agree in principle with this law, as its intended to deter the criminal fraternity, but, who is policeing this law?? you can buy plates on ebay at 4 different sellers, no questions asked.

[sheerwater]

Hi,
Agree with all that is said but the main point is who is policing the system. Cameras do not solve any crime except speeding (and some of the new ones tax discs etc) In all there are over 3500 different offences to do with cars and with local policing in Northampton most get away with everything until stopped. Then of course its a false name and hey presto they get away again. I cite the TV police chase programme where they chased 4 guys in a car , helicopter used etc. When finally stopped they were bailed to turn up in court and they failed to turn up. Same programme they see a stolen car, chase it, driver absconds, traceable items on back seat but again nothing is done. You are only accountable if you are a law abiding citizen. Those who wish to get away with it do so.
I have a court case currentlt running where this guy owes me £2500. On the last court hearing he was jailed for 7 days. Guess who has to trace him so police can arrest him. Yes ME. Why me as he was jailed for contempt of court and not the actual matter itself!!! Cheers Nige