Driving Without A Number Plate

[cookster001]

Is it totally illegal to drive a car just displaying the chassis number in front and back windows, even if it is insured on the chassis number? I am waiting for the registration documents to come through from the DVLA and want to drive the car home or do i simply have to wait until i get the documents through and get a number plate cut.

[gouldc]

Do you actually know the registration?

Not sure about the legality behind this, but if you do, why don't you write it on two pieces of cardboard and display it in the front and rear windows?

Someone like buenchico or newjudge will probably be able to advise you a little better on this.

This is the problem with the new rules regarding the manufacture of number plates - and I can't even say that it solves anything given the number of claims I see through where the car is a clone or ringer - DVLA are a bunch of muppets

[cookster001]

To answer your question no i don't know the registration number yet. The car is an import so have sent off the documents for it to be registered in the UK but they won't come through till next tuesday or wednesday and was hoping to pick it up b4 then.

[chas2008]

should have a reg number displayed , thats one of the reasons dealers are required to use trade plates.

Not worth the risk , is it to far to ask someone to trailer it ? i imported a vehicle a few years back and paid a recovey company to collect from the docks and deliver to my house

(you have not mentioned road tax / MOT , you need this to drive on the road and you cant get that without reg number/documents)

[gouldc]

Ah right - well Chas does have it pretty much spot on there.

However, you can still get insurance without the reg - you;d need to go via an import specialist (like Adrian Flux). The previous insurer I worked for had a lot of work off them - we had quite a few people in your position.

Obvously the policyholder's couldn't drive their cars, but had trailored them home and obviously wanted the cars insured then - they usually allow the insurance on the VIN until you get the reg dox from the DVLA.

Same actually applies to the MOT (If I remember correctly - someone will set me straight), you don't need the reg to get it MOT'd, but again once the reg is known, I think you;d have to get a duplicate MOT with the reg on it.

But as for driving it, it's a no-no

[chas2008]

just one thing to remember, imports are not the same spec as UK vehicles..rear fogs are a common issue, speedos in KPH , radio problems and headlamp dip direction if from europe/usa.
Out of interest what vehicle have you imported ??

[cookster001]

It's a Toyota Starlet GT turbo from Japan. Have insured it on the VIN, was considering using the plates and tax disc from my mates car which is the same model of car. Either way im sure it's illegal, just have to wait a few more days b4 the docs come through i guess. MOT and everything is sorted already btw.

[chas2008]

wait !! to impatient, really not worth all the hassle if you get stopped with wrong plates etc.

[cookster001]

Ok I have arranged some trade plates to use when driving back, is that legal?