$400 fine for no "L" plate

[knee_scraper]

I was breaking the law by not having a learner plate on my bike so, I deserve ever dollar of that fine. I've learned my lesson. But to be honest, I don't know how a cop has the heart to give a young guy who's a student on a part time job $400 for no "L" plate. I said to him, "I tried sticking it on with tap but it kept falling off". "Well screw it onto your number plate" he said. i felt like saying, "Is it just because it looks like a I have a fast bike?". To be honest, a fine like that makes me think twice about stopping next time. I know, its the wrong attitute etc, well i've learned my lesson but next time I might do a runner, especially being out in the country side like I was. Cops like that piss me off. Arogant. He said "what are you doing out here?" and I said "Just going for a ride and enjoying". Gosh. Anyway, maybe some of you more experienced riders might have something to say. Maybe just try and cool me down, I feel fired up =(

[skelstar]

Sounds like the cop was a wee bit harsh. Which part of the country?

[Jackrat]

I Hope your not studying anything that's going to affect me some where down the line.

[Sniper]

Bugger, well I guess you were breaking the law and he was offering ways of stopping you getting another fine. Strange what a small bit of yellow plastic can save.

[Toast]

You were breaking the law...and you knew that you may get done for it...but having said that, myself and many I know got caught without them and were let off...

Most cops are smart enough to realise that it's often mroe practical to do without them, as the sight of it generally leads to other road users acting like assholes around you.

[Devil]

Dumbass.

Did you consider that because you're a student you cant afford to be hit with fines that are so easy to avoid?

[k14]

don't see where you're coming from mate. you broke the law and you were fined for it, simple as that, take it like a man.

[magicfairy]

Don't give up. Write a letter to the address on the ticket, explain you had it on with tape and it fell off. Be courteous and beg for mercy.
Worth a try, worked for my son who got caught on his scooter with no L plate.
And it will buy you another 28 days to pay the ticket.

[SimJen]

proves a point, most cops are wankers.......
far too harsh, yet you get knocked off your bike by someone in a car and they'd get less of a fine if any.

[Devil]

proves a point, most cops are wankers.......
far too harsh.

Can you explain your logic?
Law says you get a fine for not displaying L plate.
No L plate was displayed, he got a fine.

How is that harsh?

Why dont people just do something about the law that says you have to have an L plate instead of giving the cops shit for doing their job.

[SimJen]

because to quote a million other posts on here cops use their "discretion" when giving tickets......so they often aren't fully complying with the law either.
How could you justify a $400 ticket for something so minor, yes its the law but come on. A missing L plate is not going to kill someone!!!!
unlike a speeding semitrailer with a full load. Their attentions need to be focused on the real issues.....not just revenue gathering excersises.

[knee_scraper]

Your right Devil. It's the law. If i'm frustrated then I obviously have a lesson to be learned. I could have prevented the fine by having an L plate but I didn't.
I was stopped heading up toward the Rimataka's.

Anyway, sorry to make such a post. I will take it like a man, end of story.

I guess its hard to enjoy my bike on my learners.

[Swoop]

A shame about that, it's the law though.
Main question: Were you doing anything that attracted his attention? Surely the nice policeman had better things to do with his day than simply stopping bikers for an "L plate check"....

[Ixion]

It must be said that the penalty for such a breach seems disproportionately severe when compared to, say, that for failing to stop at a red line, or failing to keep to one's own side of the road. The latter are really dangerous. I am not sure what real world detriment might incur from failing to display an L plate. It seems merely to be a bureaucratic omission. Yet it is more heavily amerced than the former.

[SimJen]

Nice words Ixion