Number plate position law question

[Bikemad]

Howdy folks...........a while back someone here mentioned there had been a Court case where a biker challenged the ticket he recleved for having his plate in an upright position,as seen on most bobber type bikes,and won.
Can someone please direct me to info on this or confirm this is in fact correct.Has the precedent been set i guess is my question,and if so what was the blokes name
Cheers in advance

[Voltaire]

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/71/registration-plates.html


A motorcycle, moped, tractor or trailer plate must be fixed securely in an upright position on the rear of the vehicle and displayed so that all the characters (numbers and letters) are clearly visible at all times.

There ya go.

Clearly visible and vertical :laugh:

:Police: " Have you tried eating a donut with your head tilted?"

[nodrog]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/54716-Number-plate-mounting-is-this-quot-legal-quot

[RDJ]

My ex-US cruiser's plate came side-mounted (on the right as seen from behind). Got its compliance and first WOF no problem. A year+ later in suburbia got the whole lights-and-sirens "pull over!" and then a stern lecture about being not in compliance - as quoth the officer "I could not see your number plate if I was on your left." Yeah. Well, why not move over to the center then? But, logic does not apply. I was warned to go straight home and not get out and about again on this bike until the number plate had been relocated to the rear fender.

[mossy1200]

My ex-US cruiser's plate came side-mounted (on the right as seen from behind). Got its compliance and first WOF no problem. A year+ later in suburbia got the whole lights-and-sirens "pull over!" and then a stern lecture about being not in compliance - as quoth the officer "I could not see your number plate if I was on your left." Yeah. Well, why not move over to the center then? But, logic does not apply. I was warned to go straight home and not get out and about again on this bike until the number plate had been relocated to the rear fender.

I get pulled over a bit. Never had issues even though I have cut mine down also. YET

[RDJ]

Nice bare-bones trailer Mossy. I assume your bike plate being by-the-book means the Law will probably overlook the trailer side-mounted plate - as so many trailers have theirs offset.

[mossy1200]

Nice bare-bones trailer Mossy. I assume your bike plate being by-the-book means the Law will probably overlook the trailer side-mounted plate - as so many trailers have theirs offset.

Yeah I normally get pulled because they want to see if its legal at all. Biggest issue for me would be doing 90 with the 1 km tolerance at the moment. Its more likely ill get ticket for that than anything else. Sometimes I forget its on the bike.

[TheDemonLord]

I get pulled over a bit. Never had issues even though I have cut mine down also. YET

Completely not related to the thread - that is a Smexy Trailer - how does it handle when you ride?

[mossy1200]

Completely not related to the thread - that is a Smexy Trailer - how does it handle when you ride?

Is a bit awkward under 20kph. Stabilises bike nicely during theoretical wheelies:shit:

[AllanB]

From the website

Ordinary and personalised registration plates

A motorcycle, moped, tractor or trailer plate must be fixed securely in an upright position on the rear of the vehicle and displayed so that all the characters (numbers and letters) are clearly visible at all times.


Note - some new Harley models have vertical side mounted plates from the factory - they are all getting wofs etc.

[AllanB]

Of more concern - this shit. Farking nanny state.

Are your plates obscured by a bike rack or other object?

Supplementary plates

The registered person of a vehicle must ensure that the numbers and letters on the vehicle's registration plate are clearly visible.

If you have a bike rack fitted or some other attachment that temporarily obscures the front or the rear registration plate you can either:
obtain a supplementary plate and attach it to the object, or
attach the front or rear plate from your car to the object when it is in use. You must then return it to your vehicle when you aren't using the bike rack or other attachment.

Supplementary plates are a temporary solution if you use an object that obscures the vehicle's registration plates. If the object is permanently attached, you should remove the registration plates and securely attach them to the object in an upright position and ensure they are clearly visible.

To obtain supplementary plates you'll need to be the registered person of the vehicle and have a New Zealand driver licence or other suitable ID. Payment can be made via credit card or cheque. Please allow 7–10 days delivery time. To order supplementary plates contact LicenSys on 0800 REMAKE (736 253), fax 09 276 9829 or visit their website www.licensys.com.

[admenk]

Had my plate and rear light side mounted on my old Harley for a few years before I sold it recently. Used to pass the WOF at the local VTNZ with no problems:niceone:

[ruaphu]

must be fixed securely in an upright position

.

Probably the crux of the whole rule.

I read it as the plate is mounted so it is 'face on' to any behind vehicle behind NO matter if the letters/numbers run vertically or horizontally.

However the blue line may inter this rule the plate must be mounted so numbers/letters read horizontal only.

Would no doubt make for a robust roadside discussion.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[F!ddl3r]

I was stopped for speeding by a cop and he gave me stick about my tail tidy because the number plate was at an angle as you get on nearly all Tail tidies.

I looked at him like he was mad and asked how did it pass WOF a couple weeks back if it wasn't ok? I still got my fine.. I guess thats what you get for overtaking a police car.

[AllanB]

Probably the crux of the whole rule.

I read it as the plate is mounted so it is 'face on' to any behind vehicle behind NO matter if the letters/numbers run vertically or horizontally.

However the blue line may inter this rule the plate must be mounted so numbers/letters read horizontal only.

Would no doubt make for a robust roadside discussion.

Agree - all in the wording - I am sure the intent of the wording is the plate should be mounted horizontally so lettering can be read from left to right. However as written I do not believe the court would up hold a ticket for a vertically mounted plate.

KIWIBIKER

K
I
W
I
B
I
K
E
R

[spanner spinner]

I was stopped for speeding by a cop and he gave me stick about my tail tidy because the number plate was at an angle as you get on nearly all Tail tidies.

I looked at him like he was mad and asked how did it pass WOF a couple weeks back if it wasn't ok? I still got my fine.. I guess thats what you get for overtaking a police car.

Number plate fitment is not a WOF issue, you can't get failed for the fitment of your plate . So you can have a completely obscured number plate and still get a warrant, the only WOF issue in relation to number plates is that they must have a operating light that illuminates the face of the plate.

[BlackSheepLogic]

Agree - all in the wording - I am sure the intent of the wording is the plate should be mounted horizontally so lettering can be read from left to right. However as written I do not believe the court would up hold a ticket for a vertically mounted plate.

Perhaps not, but I don't want the hassle of being pulled over and having to test this.


Would no doubt make for a robust roadside discussion.

Once pulled over for a roadside discussion it's better to keep the conversation as short as possible IMHO. You just never know where a robust roadside discussion is going the lead....

[Conquiztador]

I am sure there is something about at what angle you must be able to see the number plate from both sides?? And if the plate is on one side of the rear wheel, then that is not possible.

[AllanB]

Upright position. Technically settling it at say 45 degrees is incorrect.


It's pretty simple really - the intent is for it to be clearly seen from the rear and either side from the rear from a angle. Stuffing it up under the tail or wrapping it around the rear wheel hugger obscures the plate. Ditto side mounting off the swingarm.

[Kiwi Graham]

I think police towards the end of each month will grab at anything they think will score them a tick on the quota sheet.

Last day of November I got pulled for incorrect registration claiming the letters were of "incorrect font" pulled the plates off there and then!!! Clearly a heinous crime that threatend the general publics safety for the last 6 years.

They had been on the car from new (I'm the second owner) passed any number of wof's, road side checks etc.

Also got a bike trailer that has its number plate vertically mounted on the off side mud guard and not been challenged (must remember not to use it on the last day of each month ;) ).

[roogazza]

I think police towards the end of each month will grab at anything they think will score them a tick on the quota sheet.

Last day of November I got pulled for incorrect registration claiming the letters were of "incorrect font" pulled the plates off there and then!!! Clearly a heinous crime that threatend the general publics safety for the last 6 years.

They had been on the car from new (I'm the second owner) passed any number of wof's, road side checks etc.

Also got a bike trailer that has its number plate vertically mounted on the off side mud guard and not been challenged (must remember not to use it on the last day of each month ;) ).

you fucking maniac, nice wheels.<_<

[Bikemad]

Perhaps not, but I don't want the hassle of being pulled over and having to test this.



Once pulled over for a roadside discussion it's better to keep the conversation as short as possible IMHO. You just never know where a robust roadside discussion is going the lead....

thats why i was keen on finding out the names of the people who have already challenged a ticket for this and won...........would be good to be able to quote names and dates to the orifficer at the time of said roadside discussion

[BlackSheepLogic]

Last day of November I got pulled for incorrect registration claiming the letters were of "incorrect font" pulled the plates off there and then!!! Clearly a heinous crime that threatend the general publics safety for the last 6 years.

Might have something to do with the plate recognition software used by automated tax collectors.

[Motu]

passed any number of wof's, .

As mentioned before, not part of a WoF - you don't even need a plate for a WoF. Anything to do with a plate is to do with the cops, if they don't like it, it's their call.

[Kiwi Graham]

you fucking maniac, nice wheels.<_<


Might have something to do with the plate recognition software used by automated tax collectors.


As mentioned before, not part of a WoF - you don't even need a plate for a WoF. Anything to do with a plate is to do with the cops, if they don't like it, it's their call.

I'm just glad it was spotted and removed before it did any lasting harm.........Safer Communities Together...... West Auckland is a safer place as a result :msn-wink:

[AllanB]

For decades I have see and know of one owner of E-type jags that have a legal rear plate and the front 'plate' is lettering on the nose.

Maybe they have a exemption for one legal plate due to age? Or is it E-types are just cooler than the rest of us.

[mossy1200]

On Tuesday I was on Porangahau Rd towing trailer. I came around a corner and 5 popo cars (one red unusual?) . They were pulling a car out of ditch with the tow truck guy and measuring skids and stuff with disco lights blazing and so forth. They stopped me while tow truck pulled car out and all looked at trailer. Not one mentioned plate mounted left hand side (its so near back its visible from angle) but vertical even though its cut down also.

Another day another popo maybe different outcome.

[FJRider]

For decades I have see and know of one owner of E-type jags that have a legal rear plate and the front 'plate' is letting on the nose.

Maybe they have a exemption for one legal plate due to age? Or is it E-types are just cooler than the rest of us.

Motorcycles aren't required to even HAVE front plates ... so .... we're much cooler ... :shifty:

[AllanB]

Motorcycles aren't required to even HAVE front plates ... so .... we're much cooler ... :shifty:

Shhhhhhh some Government arse will read this and spend the year trying to change it so we have to have one. Or that mutton-chops lemon car dude ......