Men Standing At At Service Stations & Major Roads

[jamesmwhelan]

I'd love to know what they are waiting for - you know the men who you see at motorway service stations and at junctions on major roads, holding some kind of number plate? What are they waiting for?

[mikewith]

They are commercial drivers - especially those who deliver new vans, trucks or cars from one place to another. Because the new vehicles are unregistered, they use temporary licence plates, and then use those plates to identify themselves as they hitchhike home... the theory being that other commercial drivers will be more minded to pick them up.

[rinkytink]

I believe also that they are paid for their return travel but that they hitch hike to save that money. I think also that by holding their plates people will know that they are not some phsyco or suchlike.

[strozzi]

They are vehicle delivery drivers, referred to as 'trade platers'. The number plates they are carrying, white plates with red numbers/ letters and a red border are commonly called trade plates. These are officially known as trade licences and are issued to motor traders including vehicle delivery companies to allow them to move vehicles for a variety of reasons under prescribed conditions.The trade licence (tax disc or road fund licence) is affixed to the front number plate.
All reputable employers will pay drivers expenses from where the driver delivered his last vehicle to where he has to go to collect his next vehicle. The drivers may hitch hike for a number of reasons. The major ones are firstly because it is often quicker than using public transport; secondly, there may be no public transport covering the journey the driver has to undertake and thirdly to save money.
It is also worthy of note that a vehicle being driven under a trade licence is forbidden by law from carrying passengers (except in extremely limited cases) so trade platers cannot themselves pick up hitch hikers.

[sddsddean]

As an HGV driver, platers are the only people I will pick up. All the ones I have given a lift to are decent men and women trying to earn a living. If you see one by a motorway junction, give them a lift even if its only for a couple of miles; they will always appreciate it.

[answerbok]

So, what's to stop scallies and psychos getting themselves a set of trade plates? Actually, probably your local conman has trade plates, clipboard, peaked hat, stethoscope, white stick etc. already in his travelbag.. :-)

[sft42]

I can only agree and echo everything that has been said so far as i have done this in the past......and in Ireland the public transport system is so poor that it's the only way to get about.....look closer the next time you see one of the guys holding a trade plate and you'll see it's red writing on a white background and has a small triangle for the road tax above....then stop and give him a lift!!!