75ZT Community

I was dealing with the sentencing of an organized gang of bilkers today.

One of the things which became apparent was that they, and other gangs like them, scour the car marque forums to find photos of genuine number plates which they can attach to similar cars so they don't attract the attention of the ANPR cars before they begin a campaign of bilking. Also useful to make sure that the genuine car is in a different part of the country.

This information matches up with several cases I've dealt with where the genuine owner of a car has had to prove that they and their car were elsewhere when offences have been committed. Not just bilking but also speeding, dangerous driving etc.

The differences between English and Scottish Law also make things difficult. English Law requires the maker of plates to have proof that the purchaser is entitled to those plates, such as V5 and driving licence. Scottish Law does not require this so you can legally order plates from Scotland for any registration number you want.

PaulT wrote:The differences between English and Scottish Law also make things difficult. English Law requires the maker of plates to have proof that the purchaser is entitled to those plates, such as V5 and driving licence. Scottish Law does not require this so you can legally order plates from Scotland for any registration number you want.

The English suppliers can get around it too. They are allowed to supply show plates, that aren't for road use. However they are allowed to make them exactly the same as road legal plates, and therefore there's no way of anyone knowing the difference.

Duncan wrote:

PaulT wrote:The differences between English and Scottish Law also make things difficult. English Law requires the maker of plates to have proof that the purchaser is entitled to those plates, such as V5 and driving licence. Scottish Law does not require this so you can legally order plates from Scotland for any registration number you want.

The English suppliers can get around it too. They are allowed to supply show plates, that aren't for road use. However they are allowed to make them exactly the same as road legal plates, and therefore there's no way of anyone knowing the difference.

Wonder how much it cost to bring the Law in with that fabulous loop hole.

It does seem that the current in thing is to have the plates made up in Germany with a 'D' on the plate.