Best number plate / plate holder style

[Corey_R]

As I said, we've had this put to us before from a customer who's dealer said the same thing. We couldn't find anything on the VICROADS site to support or deny this. On the NSW site we specifically found information to deny it. It literally didn't indicate any methods of securement, only valid placement details.

Further to this, The Vicplates site has acrylic signature plates which have no method of attaching directly to the vehicle and are attached via the plate holders. Neither the VicRoads or Vicplates site mentions anything about attachment methods, only that it they need to be displayed (unless driving a car home from auction)

So yeah - put it back on the dealer to provide the source of this information, else, stop being difficult.


Edit:
Two things. 1) It's not reasonable to expect the dealer to do the double sided taping. Tell them not to secure the plates and that you'll do that prior to arrival. You purchase the tape and secure it yourself.

Else, if they still won't budge on the topic, I found that the last person to have this issue was mr fox.
In this post he expressed that after having the very same argument you're having now (which you can see a few pages back), the dealer agreed to fit the Lakin Plates Holders prior to delivery (removing the stock front holder) free of charge. So basically, if they're not willing to let you fit the plates yourself, then advise them that they will need to do this.

Otherwise advise them that you will not accept delivery of the car if they have damaged the car by putting holes in it to fit the plates.

[alexp]

According to

Victorian Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2009 S.R. No. 118/2009 Version as at 9 November 2009 page 55, section 48

Affixing number plate

(1) The registered operator of a vehicle must ensure each number plate issued by the Corporation for the vehicle
is permanently affixed to the vehicle so that, when the vehicle is on level ground— goes on to section a,b,c,d

the key word is "permanently". One could see a lawyer arguing that adhesive tape is not a "permanent" method of securing a number plate on a vehicle.

[alexp]

there is a section on trade plates

146
Use of unregistered vehicles with trade plates

If a trade plate is attached to the rear of an unregistered vehicle in accordance with regulation 48(1) as if it were issued under regulation 45 and the vehicle were a registered vehicle, the vehicle may be used on a highway in accordance with this Division.

but regulation 48 is the one quoted above which states "permanently affixed", so technically one could argue a dealers trade plate is more illegal than one applied with tape.

[Corey_R]

Is there a link to that somewhere, so I can see what the section a,b,c,d refer to?

One could argue, that since it takes longer to remove a numberplate secured by 3M Doublesided tape than it does to remove a numberplate secured via a screw driver, that all plates using screws are illegal, and that only tape and/or superglue is legal

In fact, if you want any chance of removing your numberplates without destroying them, you have to make sure that you only put the double sided tape in "square" portions in the 4 corners, and a the top and bottom centre (for 520mm wide euro plates only).

In any case, if that is all you can find, the only things that would actually suggest that tape is not suitable is what's in sections a,b,c,d. If this is a link online, that could be your proof to the dealership that they do not know what they're talking about.

[Corey_R]

Here you go, using the information your provided, I'll answer my own questions.

From source:

-- - SECT 48

Affixing number plate

48. Affixing number plate



(1) The registered operator of a vehicle must ensure each number plate issued
by the Corporation for the vehicle is permanently affixed to the vehicle so
that, when the vehicle is on level ground-

(a) the number plate is at all times in an upright position parallel to
the vehicle's axles; and

(b) the number plate is at all times not more than 1×3 metres above ground
level; and

(c) for a motor cycle, the centre of the number plate is at all times at
least 30 centimetres above ground level; and

(d) the number or letters, or both, on the number plate are clearly
visible from a distance of 20 metres from the number plate at any
point within the space produced by a horizontal arc of 90 degrees and
a vertical arc of 45 degrees, as indicated by the shaded areas in
figures 5 and 6; and

(e) any cover on the number plate-

(i) is clear, clean, untinted and flat over its entire surface; and

(ii) has no reflective or other characteristics that would prevent the
successful operation of a device approved for use under a law relating
to the detection of traffic offences; and

(f) for a motor vehicle other than a motor cycle, one number plate is
affixed to the front of the vehicle and another to its rear; and

(g) for a motor cycle or trailer, the number plate is affixed to the rear
of the motor cycle or trailer.

(2) The requirements in subregulations (1)(a) to (d) do not apply to a number
plate for a vehicle if-

(a) due to the construction of the vehicle it is not practicable to comply
with the requirements; and

(b) the number plate is affixed in a way that complies as far as
practicable with the requirements.



(3) If a vehicle is fitted with a bicycle carrier, the number plate required
under subregulation (1)(f) to be fitted to the rear of the vehicle may instead
be securely affixed to the bicycle carrier.

I've pasted the above in full, without editing out anything.

So there you go. There is documented written legacy proof, that the dealer is pulling your leg. As per the NSW regulations, VIC does NOT specify via what method a plate must be "permanently" affixed, only in that it must be displayed in within the regulations as listed above.

Let your sales guy know. If necessary, call the dealer principle and talk to them in person about it.

[dave_r]

LOL mine are still stuck there with double sided tape. The sales guy even gave me a hand as I was in such a hurry to get on the road that I was fumbling with the tape hehe!

[Corey_R]

The sales guy even gave me a hand as I was in such a hurry to get on the road that I was fumbling with the tape hehe!

lol yeah... my sales guy had to do the same! I couldn't get the damn backing off the double sided tape

[Glennb]

My sales guys put the plates on with tape for me as i asked for it when supplying my own plates.
Took them off last weekend and put the Lakin plate holders and covers on (Vic Euro) and very happy with the results.

[lakeman]

My sales guys put the plates on with tape for me as i asked for it when supplying my own plates.
Took them off last weekend and put the Lakin plate holders and covers on (Vic Euro) and very happy with the results.

Glad to hear you are happy.
Did you go with or without the backing plate +/- the original vw plate holder?
any chance of a photo?
I just got my full size euro plates and used the cheapish kingpin holder which looks ordinary.

[Mi16 Man]

Due to the ACT Govt not giving us an option for Euro plates, I removed the big black piece of plastic from the front bumper. Works well on a dark coloured Golf....not sure how those 2x plastic plugs would look on a white/silver Golf...

Step 1-remove number plate
Step 2-press in the centre of the x4 plastic plugs.
Step 3-pry out 4x plastic plugs and remove Euro plate holder
Step 4-clean and polish were the holder was sitting directly on the front bumper bar
Step 5-remount the front number plate in (possibly) existing holes.
Step 6-depending on the size of your number plate, refit the necessary plastic plugs to cover up the holes left behind. Faux parking sensors? Oh well....

Cheers
Stu