Stick on plates - my bit ...

Archives of Posts to the NZ MX5 List back in 2003
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Ian Chapman

Stick on plates - my bit ...

Post by Ian Chapman » Fri Apr 11, 2003 8:37 am

We had a 'stick on' plate (reflective and about 80% official size) for a
couple of years. I got caught speeding and was told I would get a $400
fine for the illegal plate as well as the speeding. I said I had rung
LTSA prior to getting it made and told it was okay as long as it was
reflective and not too small. He said I had been told wrong and let me
off the plate fine as long as I put the original one on. Which we have
now done - in front of the 'stick on' pending a good outcome.

I understand one of the key issues with a stick on is, where is the
original plate? There is the chance that you could have two MX5's,
same colour and only one registered and warranted but both displaying an
original back plate and stick on front. We kept our other plate in the
boot after I got caught so we could prove that until we put it back on.

One possible angle of defence is you aren't allowed any potrusions that
can unneccesarily injure a pedestrian. Mini fans will remember the
mark II got a chrome bit added to the door to fill in the gap to the
forward facing door handle to avoid pedestrian injury. With the
rounded front of a 5 and avoiding putting the plate in the 'mouth' due
to overheating are we may be able to plead breach of this requirement.
If I 'had' to be hit by a car whilst walking I would pick an MX5 without
an official plate.

If you want a sympathetic MP to talk to - Harry Duynhoven MP for
Taranaki and deputy minister of Energy is a car nut (owns and club races
his 911) may be a good start. I think he may have also had a transport
portfolio a few years ago. He is quite intelligent and practical.

I know the Constructors Car club in Wellington are working on this.
It also affects MR2, Porsche, Jaguar E, and obviously the Tifosi clubs
and many others.

Has anyone been stopped just for the stick on plate? - I would hope
that the police are practical enough to only make an issue of it if you
are stopped for speeding.

One piece of advise - use respect and empathy when discussing
contentious issues with the law and asking them to prove legislation.
They do have an area of tolerance that reduces dramatically if you treat
them with disrespect and arrogance.

However, I do question their motives when they issued a $150 fine for
not having a jack in the car!! - subsequently over turned after he wrote
a letter.

Have a great day.

Ian

Gary Morrison
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Posts: 100
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2006 3:24 pm
Location: Wellington

Stick on plates - my bit ...

Post by Gary Morrison » Fri Apr 11, 2003 10:16 am

Well we have had a stick on plate for about 6 years here in Wellington, have driven the car all over the North Island, and daily around Wellington. My wife was pulled over once and the only concern expressed was regarding the whereabouts of the original front plate, which since has travelled in the boot.

A while ago I think I remember zorruno making some noises about a club approach to the law makers on this, in conjunction with the Jag owners Club I think. Never heard any more.

Perhaps its time for some motivated person to pick it up as a project, maybe put together a petition, and include all of the other car clubs similarly affected. It seems wasted energy to keep complaining about it.

Gary

PS Colin, if you are out there, you have some legal points on this I believe. Perhaps of use to someone who was prepared to make a project out of it?

Colin

Stick on plates - my bit ...

Post by Colin » Fri Apr 11, 2003 12:41 pm

Hi Gary

I do have some thoughts on this issue and some information.

There has been mention in this list of 'laws' 'rules' 'regulations'
I would keen to know what they are. It is my belief that there is a great
deal of misinformation.
My own experience tells me that meeting a policeman on the side of the road
will not turn out well if I begin in a confrontational way.
I have been a little slow to share my own defence to the 'plate' issue
because I believe that the law makers are reactionary and shoving it in
their face is a good way of making it worse.
I am happy to try and research the 'Laws' that have been mentioned if I can
be provided with the source.
Most of the policemen I deal with (in the course of my work) are excellent.
They are also not as well educated in some of the finer points as they could
be.

As far as I am aware the law is quite clear on what constitutes a 'plate'. I
have not yet found anything that specifies the material that the plate must
be made from. There are some requirements for its properties which disallow
some materials.

I am alittle concerned that the Minister may gazette changes to the
requirements at any time, and will do so if pushed.
So my thought is... The best chance you have of getting off a ticket is
before it is written. So why would you want to annoy the officer?
Start with a smile...you will be amazed at how more power that has.

Cheers

Colin

lou Girardin

Stick on plates - my bit ...

Post by lou Girardin » Fri Apr 11, 2003 1:12 pm

You are right to a point Colin, but what happens when Mr Plod hasn't written
his 6 tickets for the day and his sergeant has told him he's heading back to
general duties if he doesn't shape up?
Do you think being nice to him will avoid a ticket?

Chris Tankard

Stick on plates - my bit ...

Post by Chris Tankard » Fri Apr 11, 2003 1:48 pm

OK - Here are some specifics:

The plate is covered by the Transport (Vehicle and Driver Registration and
Licensing) Act 1986 section 14.

It reads:

14. Form of registration plates and licences---(1) The Minister may
from time to time, by notice in the Gazette,---
(a) Prescribe the form and colour of registration plates and licences,
the size, shape, and character of the letters, numbers, or
distinguishing marks to be shown on them, and the means to be
adopted to make the plates and licences easily visible:
(b) Prescribe the number of registration plates to be displayed and
the position or positions in which registration plates and
licences are to be displayed.

How can they give you a ticket is covered by Section 17 of the same act:

It reads:

17. Unauthorised, deceptive, or obscured registration plates or
unauthorised licence---Every person commits an offence and is liable on
summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $500 who---
(a) Uses any motor vehicle on which the appropriate registration plate
or plates or licence is not displayed in the manner prescribed
by the Minister under section 14 of this Act; or
(b) Uses any vehicle on which is displayed any object or design that
is intended to cause, or reasonably likely to cause, any person
to believe that there is displayed on the vehicle the
appropriate registration plate or plates or licence prescribed
by the Minister under section 14 of this Act; or

(d) Uses any motor vehicle while any registration plate or licence
affixed to the motor vehicle in accordance with this Part of
this Act is in any way obscured, or is rendered or allowed to
become not easily distinguishable, whether by night or by day;
or

(Some subsections deleted as they are not relevant to this topic)

I guess the most important point is in section 14 - where the specifications
are noted in the Gazette. The LTSA are looking for this information for me,
and I will hopefully get an answer this afternoon.


C

Colin

Stick on plates - my bit ...

Post by Colin » Sat Apr 12, 2003 2:23 pm

Has a better chance than confrontation and sarcasm.
So probably ...Yes.

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