Side-mounted number plate?

[Tank]

I have done some searching with no luck.

Im trying to find out if side mounted number plates are indeed legal.

I have found one thread where someone stated there had been a court-case and it was deemed legal - but I was looking for something more concrete before I go start hacking away at the back of my bike.

Can anyone help with this?

[Steam]

Side-mounted plates look incredibly goddamn cool, I will do mine as soon as I hear back on the legality too.

[Tank]

BUGGER - bad news sorry.

Phoned LTSA and they said that the numberplate must be upright, clearly visible from the rear with all letters and numbers clearly distinguishable.

So I guess its your definition of upright.

I wouldn't want to be the guy having to argue the fact in court.

Are there any officers here who would like to offer their interpretation?

[Steam]

Phoned LTSA and they said that the numberplate must be upright, clearly visible from the rear with all letters and numbers clearly distinguishable.

So I guess its your definition of upright.


I am going to ring them right now and ask where that is laid down in the law, so I can read more carefully.

Later: Cool, it's section 6-A and B of the Transport (Vehicle and Driver Registration and Licencing) Notice, 1995.
And yeah, it's just like Tank found out, sadly you can't have them tipped up on one side or diagonally.

I think I might put mine to one side though, might make it look more off-center and interesting.

I have seen a KB'er couple on here, maybe Mr and Ms Kendog, who have their number plates on their ends, so vertically. Looks cool but apparently illegal.

[Soul.Trader]

On the subject of number plates - I know it's illegal to use anything but "issued" plates, but how do cops normally look onto this? I'm interested in making a custom license plate, making it a little smaller than the issued one, but with the same reflective qualities. Anyone know if I'm likely to get a fine doing this?

[sefer]

On a bike I wouldn't. The question comes up quite often for those people who own sports cars with nowhere to mount the plate on the front. Some people get away with a custom front perhaps 50% of the time, and wear the cost the other 50% (remembering most of the time the cop will be behind someone initially when pulling them over, so perhaps don't even notice the front plate).

I can't see the same happening with a rear plate. Hell some people I know have had fines for slightly modifying their plates to fit the mount/holder.

[bmz2]

there is a whole lot of miss information regarding number plate mounts , there was a court case last year posted on KB , where a side mounted plate was said by the court to be legal , due to the a trailer [boat trailer has a side mounted plate] and ruling is side plates are legal. the police may still believe they are not. So you may get pulled up and ticketed for it. You will have to fight it in court using the argument that some boat trailers and low volume cert bikes , chopper style bikes are legal to carry a side mount due to the rear fender and tire are to close to place a rear mount plate . I have a side mount plate and the police never seem to be concerned about it. The choice is yours to make.

[Ixion]

I am going to ring them right now and ask where that is laid down in the law, so I can read more carefully.

Later: Cool, it's section 6-A and B of the Transport (Vehicle and Driver Registration and Licencing) Notice, 1995.
And yeah, it's just like Tank found out, sadly you can't have them tipped up on one side or diagonally.

I think I might put mine to one side though, might make it look more off-center and interesting.

I have seen a KB'er couple on here, maybe Mr and Ms Kendog, who have their number plates on their ends, so vertically. Looks cool but apparently illegal.

Or, maybe not.

This is what the Notice says


Affixing of registration plates (other than trade plates)

*

Registration plates issued for a motor vehicle shall be displayed as follows:

(a) In the case of a motor vehicle other than a motor vehicle of any of the kinds specified in paragraph (b) of this clause, one plate shall be displayed on the front of the vehicle and one plate shall be displayed on the rear of the vehicle, and both plates shall be in an upright position and so displayed that every letter, figure, and distinguishing mark on the plate is easily visible:
(b) in the case of any motor cycle, moped, tractor, or trailer, one plate shall be displayed on the rear of the vehicle in an upright position and so displayed that every letter, figure, and distinguishing mark on the plate is easily visible.


(b) is what concerns us. It must be at the rear. OK. It must be upright. Which I guess is where the argument starts. Upright MIGHT mean with the long side of the plate parallel to the ground, and at right angles to the axis of the bike. But, it might equally mean just that the plate must be upright - ie you can't have it lying flat, parallel to the ground, because then it could be read. After all I can stand a plate upright on its narrow edge, or on its long edge. Upright just means vertical, not sloping over.

And must be visible. OK

So, I think a very good case could be made (and there is precedent) that so long as the plate is at right angles to the ground, and easily visible etc, it doesn't matter if it is long edge down or narrow edge down. Must be vertical though, no slanting.

[Swoop]

"Upright" could be interpreted either way.
I noticed several vertical plates at the Westpac gathering.


I'm interested in making a custom license plate, making it a little smaller than the issued one, but with the same reflective qualities.
I do like the USA plate size for bikes. Certain states appear to produce a much smaller plate, that fits the rear of modern bikes much better.
Probably non-compliant here due to "minimum size" rules.

[nallac]

On the subject of number plates - I know it's illegal to use anything but "issued" plates, but how do cops normally look onto this? I'm interested in making a custom license plate, making it a little smaller than the issued one, but with the same reflective qualities. Anyone know if I'm likely to get a fine doing this?

Its all how the copper's feeling on the day
a mate got done for his "illegal" plate,custom proper reflective one as well.
The copper going the other way turned round and and pulled him up,
couldn't do him for anything else? so did him for his plate.

my bikes got one was on when i bought it, i might get done for it one day.

thems the risk ya take,same as if you wanna speed.

[kiwifruit]

BUGGER - bad news sorry.

Phoned LTSA and they said that the numberplate must be upright, clearly visible from the rear with all letters and numbers clearly distinguishable.

So I guess its your definition of upright.

I wouldn't want to be the guy having to argue the fact in court.

Are there any officers here who would like to offer their interpretation?

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=54716

(they won the case)

[AllanB]

If you are side mounting in NZ i'd expect it to be on the right not the left as is done in the USA. Easier visibility for us as we ride on the left.

[Motu]

Although it doesn't say so - because it doesn't need to,as it's a taken....I'd say angles of visibility will be the deciding factor.Tail lamps are 80deg each side,for compliance a number plate would most likely need to meet those standards too.So off the side by the rear axle USA style would be a no.Vertical to the side on a trailer is a little bit of blind eye rule bending - there are a lot of WoF rules for trailers that are not possible in certain applications.If no harm is done and it's not a safety issue,then it's not noticed.

What is meant by USA style plate? If you mean square,been there done that.We complained so much they brought back the rectangular plate.

[Swoop]

What is meant by USA style plate?
This is the sort of thing I was referring to.
I have noticed a few different states' that appear to issue these... or someone is making a nice counterfeit.

[xwhatsit]

What is meant by USA style plate? If you mean square,been there done that.We complained so much they brought back the rectangular plate.

I like the square plates. I'll be ordering one for my bike, sanding it back, and painting it black :)

[Swoop]

I like the square plates. I'll be ordering one for my bike, sanding it back, and painting it black :)
No you won't. You have only two choices now. Rectangular with letters and numbers OR rectangular with personalised letters and numbers, at a much greater price...:buggerd:

[Skyryder]

and distinguishing mark on the plate is easily visible. To me this is the crux of the matter. Easily visable. Taken literly this means that you could mount your plate upside down as both letters and numbers are as 'visable' either way. Now if the legislation said readable this would be another matter.

Anyone game to put this to the test. I wouldn't bet even money on this but if the odds were 'intersting' that might be another issue.

Skyryder

[homer]

Could you not in court say that if the bikes on the side stand in a car park angled to the curb that the plate is then more up right than not

does the law say what direction of upright the bike has to be

[Nzcyberstorm]

Hi guys... I have a boulevard with upright side mounted plates... And it has always passed with flying colours, no where does it state that the letters and numbers must be legible horizontally... They only have to be clearly legible... So no issue there... But all of a sudden, I failed a warrant because my rear fender is too short? Is that even a thing? It must cover the tread... OK... Got that right... Haven't changed a thing since my last wof... Now it is too short... About 30 percent of the rear wheel is covered... What the @$!?
Does anyone know the requirements for fenders?

[Ixion]

Hi guys... I have a boulevard with upright side mounted plates... And it has always passed with flying colours, no where does it state that the letters and numbers must be legible horizontally... They only have to be clearly legible... So no issue there... But all of a sudden, I failed a warrant because my rear fender is too short? Is that even a thing? It must cover the tread... OK... Got that right... Haven't changed a thing since my last wof... Now it is too short... About 30 percent of the rear wheel is covered... What the @$!?
Does anyone know the requirements for fenders?

See the VIRM Manual

http://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/motorcycles/tyres,-wheels-and-hubs/mudguards (http://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/motorcycles/tyres,-wheels-and-hubs/mudguards)



Mandatory equipment

1. A mudguard (Note 1) over a road wheel is missing where it is reasonable and practicable to fit a mudguard, unless the vehicle is:

a) in an unfinished condition legally used under the authority of trade plates, or

b) not capable of exceeding a speed of 30km/h.

2. A mudguard does not cover the full width of the tread of the tyre or tyres fitted to a road wheel (Figure 10-3-1 and Figure 10-3-2).



Figure 10-3-2 is the key. It shows you what is required.

[caseye]

There you go young fella, when in doubt ask Ixion.

[G Nine T]

I've been riding this fo two years (50,000 Ks) now and never been hastled on the road or at the wof station!