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Original poster

Number plate emergency!

32 replies

goingmadinthecountry · 14/08/2017 15:27

Shameless post for traffic..

DD just phoned from other side of country - she's been parked at a festival for 5 days, stopped at services and they've realised front number plate is missing. Assume someone took it Hmm Is it legal to drive? Can they get an emergency one? Currently on hold to RAC.

OP posts:
Snap8TheCat · 14/08/2017 15:28

You need the v5 to get another one made and she'll need to report it to the police.

Snap8TheCat · 14/08/2017 15:29

What will the RAC do? Confused

eubyru · 14/08/2017 15:30

Maybe report to police so that if stopped they are aware or get advice from the police

Original poster
goingmadinthecountry · 14/08/2017 15:31

Didn't know if they could turn up with a temporary one like people put on trailers??

OP posts:
FannyWisdom · 14/08/2017 15:33

Write it on cardboard and display.
Get a new plate.
It's an offence to drive without displaying identity marks.

ChelleDawg2020 · 14/08/2017 15:33

Not legal to drive - £1000 fine. Call the police immediately and report it - there are plenty of automatic number plate recognition cameras, speed cameras, CCTV cameras out there. If someone has stolen the plate to fix upon another car, your daughter will be the one receiving fines and visits from the police if it is used to commit a crime. It will be useful to her defence if she reported the plates stolen before they are used in a crime. The police will also be able to advise what she should do now. But definitely don't drive without the plate.

Jessesbitch · 14/08/2017 15:33

Yes report to 101. People steal them for false plates for crime eg stealing petrol. Happened to DH. You are under duty to get a replacement asap.

ineedamoreadultieradult · 14/08/2017 15:33

They are best off just driving home, if they get stopped they can say they realised it was missing on the way home and they will fix it ASAP. You can't get a number plate now without your documents. Also report to police (non emergency) as someone is probably driving around with their number plate on, bit odd they didn't take the back one as well.

BarbaraofSevillle · 14/08/2017 15:35

I think I'd just make one with a bit of cardboard and a marker pen to get her home (tuck it under the rear wiper) and if she's stopped, explain what's happened. Without a number plate, she's breaking the law with no plate or a cardboard one, but at least she's making an effort.

Unless it's possible to get one where she is with ID and a place that has access to the DVLA computer to confirm her car details (I have no idea if this sort of thing exists).

FannyWisdom · 14/08/2017 15:36

You need the v5 to make a new plate these days.

Theworldisfullofidiots · 14/08/2017 15:37

I've had both front and back knicked whilst I was having lunch in a pub. Just ring the police and report. You can then drive and get replaced.

BarbaraofSevillle · 14/08/2017 15:37

Oh, just seen that it's the front one that's missing. In that case, i wouldn't bother with the cardboard one adn just go home, report and get a new one ASAP - if she gets caught on a camera, they've still got her and she's not evading anything.

loobyloo1234 · 14/08/2017 15:39

It's not illegal if you call 101 and let them know

Your daughter will need to take her documents to Halfords though and they can print up and fit a new number plate there and then

twofingerstoEverything · 14/08/2017 15:53

You need the v5 to make a new plate these days.

Not if you buy one from eBay!

Original poster
goingmadinthecountry · 14/08/2017 15:57

Thank you - she's phoning 101 now. It's my car she's borrowed (student without need for car term time) and like me she wasn't sure quite what to do so far away from home.

OP posts:
ILoveGrammar0 · 14/08/2017 16:00

twofingerstoEverything

To legally obtain a number plate, you need to show proof that you are entitled to have it.

BarbaraofSevillle · 14/08/2017 16:00

Interesting twofingers. I wonder how they get away with it? Or are they checking online somehow and they can only post them to the address that the car's registered to?

Or if they are hooky, often things like that come with a nonsense disclaimer about them being 'for novelty purposes only' and not to be actually used, as if they think that makes it OK but I can't see anything in the listing.

We're lucky enough to have a little motor factors place nearby that's much cheaper than Halfords - we need a caravan number plate and DPs always changing cars.

Kickhiminthenuts · 14/08/2017 16:03

twofingers they will be "showplates" without the legal markings.
I'd drive home without a front one, and get a Halfords or motor spares type place one asap.
What ball ache.

lozzylizzy · 14/08/2017 16:03

I remember when you used to be able to get them from Skegness market with little pictures etc on them.

I didn't know you needed the V5, DH is a mechanic so I would just ask him to make one up at work (so obviously never had to think about it)

Anyway I would report it in case your plate is used for something illegal.

SheSaidHeSaid · 14/08/2017 16:03

Glad she's reporting it to the police as there is a chance whoever stole it is going to use it in a crime... this is what happened to me but thankfully I'd immediately reported it as soon as I saw they were missing so they knew it wasn't me who burgled someone a week later and used my plates to get away. They can also be used to avoid speed cameras etc.

SheSaidHeSaid · 14/08/2017 16:05

Forgot to also mention, if she gets pulled over at a later date she shouldn't be alarmed, and she should almost expect it at some point, this is what happened to me because they wanted to check who was driving the car with the number plates on (because at that point the stolen plates had been used in a crime).

BarbaraofSevillle · 14/08/2017 16:05

Kickhiminthenuts The listings says that they are fully legal, and there are also other suppliers. It would be much easier to get one off ebay and it arrive at your door tomorrow than trek off to Halfords or a local place.

user7841794168 · 14/08/2017 16:09

Report it to the police. You are only able to drive the car to get a new licence plate so she needs to get the V5C ASAP and go straight to a place that do licence plates and show them.

Madcats · 14/08/2017 16:09

If it begins "YY18..." it is propped up against a wall down the road from my house (I guess it fell off a car transporter this morning).

Original poster
goingmadinthecountry · 14/08/2017 16:15

All reported now - thanks, all. Mumsnet to the rescue!

OP posts: