Front Plate - Do people care?

[mynamesnotbob]

So this may be a stupid question, but is it really not an issue running without a front plate in the UK if you're in an Atom?

Most of my driving is in Cheshire and North Wales, two of the most pedantic forces for traffic offences - I've always run with a front plate, and so does everyone else I know. Frankly its just not worth the hassle of not round here.

But apart from the ugly bracket there isn't a way to have a plate on an Atom that is legal, so does the lack of plate or a sticky plate just get ignored by police in the real world? I get you can get through an MOT, but I'm talking real world driving

[John Scherrer]

At the end of the day, it’s your decision of course.

Just because the legal plate mounting option is ugly in your eyes doesn’t mean it’s ok to not have it.

On my car, I went for the stick on plate on the bonnet. It’s not strictly legal but at least it’s half way to meeting the requirement of a front plate. It would be nice to think that most officers would appreciate that it’s not easy to mount a vertical plate and accept that you’ve made an effort.

With no front plate at all, that’s probably enough to annoy those other officers that think you’re trying to be a smart one and so want to take a closer look at anything else they might believe is illegal.

A search on here will show that there are many who have never been pulled for no front plate with quite a few that have.

“Are you feeling lucky?”

[mynamesnotbob]

Thanks John - well I guess the answer is I don't feel lucky, or I'd rather save my luck for something more important!

I'm just surprised that its not more of an issue, I've even had police waiting at the gates of Oulton for a Lotus On Track day to try and nab those that were on track without plates and didn't put the front one on

Personally I'd rather avoid the hassle of worrying each time I'm out and about, a couple of the lotus mob have been done for the stick ons round these parts so its pretty rare to see them on anything these days

[Spikey_head]

I got pulled in Cheshire for a stick on front plate. £100 fine and no points, plus an hour at the roadside whilst the most pedantic copper I've ever met did pedantic things.

[mapes]

I've also been pulled in Cheshire (some years ago) for a stick on plate. However I challenged it (politely) with a letter and a photo of the car and the fine was quashed...

[Preseh]

From my experience, I've had police come over and ask about the car and even ask to sit in it but have never mentioned the lack of front plate or questionably spaced rear. All it takes is one pedantic officer though but if they're pedantic enough then you'll get told off for the stick on plate too.

[AlanP]

14 years of Atom ownership, 6 months of the 720 without a front plate, never a problem. Plenty of police have looked at the Ariel, they were much more rare back then, never said a word.
A

[IanG]

Only got stopped once in North Wales with [mention]jpswift[/mention] his was miss spaced
mine was to small
Just get it to a mot Center to be checked
All other times it just just a friendly chat

[mynamesnotbob]

Thanks guys - appreciate the input - will probably get the number plate bracket, then see how much appetite for risk I have in the new year.

The rarity of the car helps I guess - but one day the luck runs out. Just making sure I hadn't missed some weird loophole!