Silver on black square rego plate

[kiwi_nd]

I'm looking for some pointers as to where I might lay my hands on a silver on black (i.e. the older style) square rego plate.

For the past year and a bit I've had a regular rectangular plate on my black scooter which has provision for a square plate (no square rego plates when anywhere local when it was first registered). I'm keen to get a square plate, but given it's a black scooter, thought a silver on black plate would look pretty good on it.

My read of the legislation is that such a rego plate is legal, but I can't find anyone (including at the LTSA) who can tell me where I can get one. Many people asked have said they think the plate would not be legal, but can't tell me why.

Can anyone suggest a source, or tell me if my interpretation of the law is incorrect, in which case I'll just settle for a black on white square plate (though it won't look as good),

Cheers


(If you want to read the legislation it's sections 2(2) and 2(3)(a) of the Transport (Vehicle Registration and Licensing) Notice 1995 (SR 1995/136).)

[AllanB]

You want to make a plate?

Pop down to a sheet metal worker and get them to cut you the desired size plate in alloy, heck they could even roll the edges if you want it really spiffy!

Have it painted black and get a sign-writer to produce the letters/numbers in reflective silver.

Job done.

[kiwi_nd]

You want to make a plate?


Making a plate would be an option, but I wondered if they are generally available before I go down that route.

[Subike]

In chch there is a company who has the stamps for making reg plates.
Hammersly Engineering I think it was,
AllanB you may know the place I mean
When the first white/black reflector bike plates came out, they were those stupid big square thngs, very dangerous on most bikes.
( some LTSA dumb fuck thought they were a good design 0000 )
so this company could and did make replacement plates for bikes/trailers/tractors that were the small ones we use today.
They also can recreate the black/silver plates for you.

[yungatart]

it is my understanding that it is illegal to use anything other than Land Transport (or whatever name they go under this week) plates.
Black plates are really old, haven't had them for years....

[kiwi_nd]

In chch there is a company who has the stamps for making reg plates.
Hammersly Engineering I think it was,
...
They also can recreate the black/silver plates for you.

Great thanks - think I've tracked them down - I'll call them tomorrow!

Cheers

[kiwi_nd]

it is my understanding that it is illegal to use anything other than Land Transport (or whatever name they go under this week) plates.
Black plates are really old, haven't had them for years....

I can't see anything in the legislation that says they have to be made by the LTSA. Section 2 details their specification, including (listed first) the black plate with aluminium (silver) rego on it.

"2 The distinguishing marks on a registration plate shall be—
(a) Embossed, and coloured aluminium on a black background; or
(b) Embossed, and coloured black against a reflective background consisting of white retro-reflective sheeting,—
and the base material of a registration plate shall be aluminium."

It may be a long time since black plates were issued as standard, but I don't see anything that says they can't be used now on new vehicles.

[yungatart]

My hubby is a signie...he gets asked to make plates for sportscars and dog boxes occasionally. These "plates' are unapproved by the powers that be, and you can be ticketed for using them.
Just as long as you are aware that there may be a financial "cost" (over and above the purchase price), and you are happy to pay that, go for it.

[xwhatsit]

What somebody on here did a long while ago was get an ordinary square plate (about $10 from LTNZ if you say it fell off or whatever), sand it back (letters are bare metal), mask off the letters and digits, then get out with a gloss (or satin?) black spraycan and do a few coats.

Looked pretty much identical to a genuine item.

[UberRhys]

Making a plate would be an option, but I wondered if they are generally available before I go down that route.

No they aren't available anymore but if you google it there are companies round this great country of ours who make to order - but they do give a disclaimer... With regards to the shape (square Vs rectangular), it would depend upon where you got the plate from. I wanted a square plate a while back and went to 3 VTNZ testing stations, 4 Post Shops and the only ones they had were rectangular :(


What somebody on here did a long while ago was get an ordinary square plate (about $10 from LTNZ if you say it fell off or whatever), sand it back (letters are bare metal), mask off the letters and digits, then get out with a gloss (or satin?) black spraycan and do a few coats.

Looked pretty much identical to a genuine item.

Genius, that would be much cheaper :niceone:

[Hitcher]

There's a near new Yamaha R6 next to work with an LTNZ square rego plate. It's black on white, but definitely square.

I am wondering if this is a prototype of some sort in readiness for six-character plates for bikes once all the the five-character plates are used up in a few months time.

[xwhatsit]

There's a near new Yamaha R6 next to work with an LTNZ square rego plate. It's black on white, but definitely square.

I am wondering if this is a prototype of some sort in readiness for six-character plates for bikes once all the the five-character plates are used up in a few months time.
You mean it's a different shape to the existing square plates you can specify as an option instead of the long rectangular ones?

[Hitcher]

You mean it's a different shape to the existing square plates you can specify as an option instead of the long rectangular ones?

I did not know that such an option existed. On that basis I cannot answer your question.

[HungusMaximist]

I say go ahead bro, worst you could get is some shit from the cops, just tell me some shit like 'Can't you see the plate matches the colour to my vintage scooter officer! And plus I live in Ponsonby so I got an image to uphold and street cred to retain. This shit's legit as...'

Chur!

[xwhatsit]

I did not know that such an option existed. On that basis I cannot answer your question.
I'm not sure of the details, but certainly I've seen plenty of square-ish plates around, especially on scooters. New, too. Two digits on top, three letters underneath. Presumably you just specify which sort when you're buying your plate.

[kiwi_nd]

I'm not sure of the details, but certainly I've seen plenty of square-ish plates around, especially on scooters. New, too. Two digits on top, three letters underneath. Presumably you just specify which sort when you're buying your plate.

Some LTSA agents have the square plates, but not all. None near me had them when I got my scooter and it was first registered, so I've had a rectangular plate for over a year, but now want to get one that is the right shape for the scooter. And get it in black/silver to match the scooter.

[xwhatsit]

Ah, I'm quite keen on doing the same thing myself (hence my interest in the other guy who did the repaint), must find out who's got these square plates then.

Could always give them some bullshit story about a rectangular plate not fitting on the bike correctly or something!

[kiwi_nd]

Could always give them some bullshit story about a rectangular plate not fitting on the bike correctly or something!

No need for a bullshit story. Bend your rectangular plate, then go to an LTSA agent and say it's damaged, fill out the form, and ask for a square(-ish) plate as a replacement rather than another rectangular one. That's all there is to it. Provided you pay the smallish fee - I can't remember what it was - but I think less than $25.