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Original poster

Am I the only one that has just clocked this

254 replies

iwantavuvezela · 24/01/2022 21:08

that front numberplate on most cars are white, and the one at the back is yellow.
Just bought a car and thought perhaps the dealer had made a mistake until I noticed that all cars had this!
Am I the only one who has only just noticed this.

OP posts:
cheekychaplin · 25/01/2022 12:30

DH says it's to show if a vehicle is coming towards you or going away from you. That's fine if you know they were different colours to start with, which I didn't until I read this thread!

If you need a small coloured plate to recognise whether a huge metal object is coming towards you or not you really shouldn't be driving.

It's concerning that A: your DH thinks this and B: that you blindly believe him!

BillMasen · 25/01/2022 13:18

It’s not that it’s a vital piece of information you can’t truce well without, of course it’s not.

It’s indicative of a lack of observation skills. Not knowing this implies you’re a driver not paying attention to their surroundings, not aware of what’s around them. If you’re not observant enough to spot this (which is really clear and obvious) I’d say it’s also likely you’re not spotting lots of other clear and obvious things.

We all miss stuff and make errors, but not seeing this over a number of years driving is a bit scary

VanGoghsDog · 25/01/2022 13:18

*How many people know you can tell which week and year your tyres were made from the markings on them?"

Am I supposed to literally answer how many people can tell? Because I don't think anyone can answer that.

But I can see zero reason for knowing when my tyres were manufactured. Surely the key date is when they were fitted, which I do know because I keep the receipts.

If I did need to know when they were manufactured, I'd google to find out how. I usually keep a photo of my tyre side on the phone in case I ever have to order one so I have the size etc.

GrannytoaUnicorn · 25/01/2022 13:21

@Senga67

I've been driving for over 30 years and I have never noticed this.😲 I can't wait to go out in the morning to have a look at my car to check if it's true.
You really shouldn't be driving if you've never known this......
BorsetshireBanality · 25/01/2022 13:32

Had a "lovely" car driving behind me one evening last week with purple tinted headlights and yellow sidelights*. Tinted lights must be the new "must-have" car thing for twats, that help everyone else to easily spot them.

*In place until the next MOT I guess

BorsetshireBanality · 25/01/2022 13:36

...along with lights set into your driveway

Octomore · 25/01/2022 13:43

But I can see zero reason for knowing when my tyres were manufactured.

It's not just mileage that wears tyres out - rubber degrades over time. (Cracks in the rubber, the rubber becoming hard and reducing the amount of grip etc.)

The tyres should be fairly new when fitted, but if they have been sitting around, you might find that they become unsafe earlier than you expect.

Goawayangryman · 25/01/2022 13:54

This is such an odd thread. That some people haven't noticed this seems to horrify and outrage and yet it is of absolutely no relevance to driving safely, at all. In fact, I'd say that ability to screen out extraneous information is a plus when driving. Does it matter that a plate is yellow or white? No, it does not. Brain chooses not to notice. Literally nothing bad happens!

ImAGummyBear · 25/01/2022 14:21

@Goawayangryman

This is such an odd thread. That some people haven't noticed this seems to horrify and outrage and yet it is of absolutely no relevance to driving safely, at all. In fact, I'd say that ability to screen out extraneous information is a plus when driving. Does it matter that a plate is yellow or white? No, it does not. Brain chooses not to notice. Literally nothing bad happens!
💯 This!
BillMasen · 25/01/2022 14:23

@Goawayangryman

This is such an odd thread. That some people haven't noticed this seems to horrify and outrage and yet it is of absolutely no relevance to driving safely, at all. In fact, I'd say that ability to screen out extraneous information is a plus when driving. Does it matter that a plate is yellow or white? No, it does not. Brain chooses not to notice. Literally nothing bad happens!
Do you not agree that it shows a lack of observation generally?

Your brain chooses not to notice what’s not important but you spot the things that are?

I think it’s more likely these people are not observing many more things, some probably important

VanGoghsDog · 25/01/2022 14:38

@Octomore

But I can see zero reason for knowing when my tyres were manufactured.

It's not just mileage that wears tyres out - rubber degrades over time. (Cracks in the rubber, the rubber becoming hard and reducing the amount of grip etc.)

The tyres should be fairly new when fitted, but if they have been sitting around, you might find that they become unsafe earlier than you expect.

This is ridiculous. I check the tyres, as all dressed vets should be doing, There is no "earlier than I expect", I just keep an eye on them. I don't have a date in my head they might need to be replaced. So I have no need to know when they were manufactured.
User764832 · 25/01/2022 14:48

Tyres generally last 5 years and not normally recommended using after about 7 years, we change our caravan ones at about 5-6 years as they do not wear out but the rubber degrades. A spare tyre will last longer as it is not subject to the elements. I always check the date codes on my car tyres as I don't drive it much

Goawayangryman · 25/01/2022 14:55

@BillMasen I've been driving for 30 years without event, my family are all big into the IAM, I know how to maintain my car properly, assess tread depth, replace tyres before the wear, can drive on snow tyres and with chains on, have given accurate, helpful descriptions of RTAs to the police and emergency services and insurance companies. My job also calls for a very high level of attention to detail with potentially rather unfortunate consequences if that isn't adhered to. So no, I don't think the matter under discussion here is indicative of a general lack of observational skills.

VanGoghsDog · 25/01/2022 14:58

@User764832

Tyres generally last 5 years and not normally recommended using after about 7 years, we change our caravan ones at about 5-6 years as they do not wear out but the rubber degrades. A spare tyre will last longer as it is not subject to the elements. I always check the date codes on my car tyres as I don't drive it much
I hope you mean five years from the manufacture date!

My car is only five years old and all the tyres have been changed since I've had it.

BillMasen · 25/01/2022 15:06

[quote Goawayangryman]@BillMasen I've been driving for 30 years without event, my family are all big into the IAM, I know how to maintain my car properly, assess tread depth, replace tyres before the wear, can drive on snow tyres and with chains on, have given accurate, helpful descriptions of RTAs to the police and emergency services and insurance companies. My job also calls for a very high level of attention to detail with potentially rather unfortunate consequences if that isn't adhered to. So no, I don't think the matter under discussion here is indicative of a general lack of observational skills.[/quote]
Are you saying you never noticed the difference in colour?

Or you have noticed and you’re defending those who haven’t?

BillMasen · 25/01/2022 15:10

Ah just seen you did not notice. Sorry (ironic really on a thread about observation 😀)

I guess I’m genuinely amazed someone can drive around for 30 years with great observation skills in other areas but still not see something as obvious as that. Maybe you’re an anomaly

RaelImperialAerosolKid · 25/01/2022 15:15

In other exciting 'I've just realised' news - road numbers are given in zones - based around the motorway system.

Am I the only one that has just clocked this
Oldraver · 25/01/2022 15:15

We bought a car in 2016 and OH only realised a year or so later the difference in colour.... He was 55 at the time 😅

holidayfun22 · 25/01/2022 15:19

@iwantavuvezela

that front numberplate on most cars are white, and the one at the back is yellow. Just bought a car and thought perhaps the dealer had made a mistake until I noticed that all cars had this! Am I the only one who has only just noticed this.
You've educated me so it's not just you. My DH seemed to know already though.
Mandofan · 25/01/2022 15:41

So many grumps on this thread

GiantKitten · 25/01/2022 16:30

@RaelImperialAerosolKid

In other exciting 'I've just realised' news - road numbers are given in zones - based around the motorway system.
Not motorways, the old main A roads!

Those do pretty much match the motorway numbers of course, but the smaller road numbers predate the motorways by many years.

Omicrone · 25/01/2022 16:36

[quote Goawayangryman]@BillMasen I've been driving for 30 years without event, my family are all big into the IAM, I know how to maintain my car properly, assess tread depth, replace tyres before the wear, can drive on snow tyres and with chains on, have given accurate, helpful descriptions of RTAs to the police and emergency services and insurance companies. My job also calls for a very high level of attention to detail with potentially rather unfortunate consequences if that isn't adhered to. So no, I don't think the matter under discussion here is indicative of a general lack of observational skills.[/quote]
So what is it then? Confused

Goawayangryman · 25/01/2022 16:40

@Omicrone - dunno. Poor colour memory? Screening out things that really are of no consequence? Focusing on stuff that matters? Complete and utter lack of interest in the distinguishing physical characteristics of cars?

Omicrone · 25/01/2022 16:41

@Goawayangryman

This is such an odd thread. That some people haven't noticed this seems to horrify and outrage and yet it is of absolutely no relevance to driving safely, at all. In fact, I'd say that ability to screen out extraneous information is a plus when driving. Does it matter that a plate is yellow or white? No, it does not. Brain chooses not to notice. Literally nothing bad happens!
It's not really about noticing as you are driving though is it? You see it every time you walk out your front door, you see it close up every time you open your boot, when you clean your car,as you are walking everywhere. I have read a lot of the 'what stupid things have you only just realised' threads and eye rolled a bit at some of them, but I genuinely cannot get my head around this one.

Did people think both number plates were white or yellow?

BarbaraofSeville · 25/01/2022 16:46

It's not really about noticing as you are driving though is it? You see it every time you walk out your front door, you see it close up every time you open your boot, when you clean your car,as you are walking everywhere. I have read a lot of the 'what stupid things have you only just realised' threads and eye rolled a bit at some of them, but I genuinely cannot get my head around this one

Exactly. Unless you live on Sark, or never leave the house, most people probably see dozens, hundreds or even thousands of cars a day, even if they've never driven one.

Until this thread, I would have thought that, if you'd asked anyone from a young child to a pensioner 'do you know what colour car number plates are' they'd give you a confused look, trying to work out if you thought they were daft, or were asking a trick question.