.. a keen caravan owner, he had towed his Crusader model around Australia and was on the way home when he was pulled over by Highway Patrol and given a ticket.
And what was his offence?
A rear licence plate sitting 30cm higher than regulations allow.
(http://s.squixa.net/www.mynrma.com.au/635460145043670000/media/xcrusader480.jpg.pagespeed.ic.WLoIoyc1aD.jpg)
“It’s one of those things – when I got the fine, I thought I’d just pay it and shut up,” he said.
”And then when I got home and found there were three demerit points involved I thought, ‘that’s a bit harsh’.”
http://www.mynrma.com.au/get-involved/advocacy/news/4caravan-owner-taken-for-a-ride-by-the-law.htm (http://www.mynrma.com.au/get-involved/advocacy/news/4caravan-owner-taken-for-a-ride-by-the-law.htm)
FFS...
murderous offence... did the traffic cop not get a blowy the night before or something...
Just checked Qld regs & it's 1.3m as well but just states "to number plate" not Top, Centre or Bottom so I'm assuming it would be to the bottom of the plate as in ground clearance. Yes/No?If it dosn't state top or bottom you could argue it in court and win
Steve
If I got a ticket for that, i'd also get one for offensive language as well..... I guarantee it.x2
If it dosn't state top or bottom you could argue it in court and winCustom 10mtr tape measure that has 1300mm stamped beyond
| [Search] [Search this Act] [Notes] [Noteup] [Previous] [Next] [Download] [Help] TRANSPORT OPERATIONS (ROAD USE MANAGEMENT—VEHICLE REGISTRATION) REGULATION 2010 - SECT 30 30 Position, visibility and legibility of number plate (1) The registered operator of a vehicle must ensure that each number plate issued for a vehicle is permanently attached to the vehicle so that, if the vehicle is on level ground— (a) the number plate is— (i) in an upright position parallel to the vehicle's axles; and (ii) not more than 1.3m above ground level; and (b) unless an accessory plate is attached to the vehicle in the way required under section 37—the characters on the number plate are visible from 20m away at any point within an arc of 45&#deg; from the surface of the number plate above or to either side of the vehicle, in the way shown in figures 1 and 2 at the end of this section; and (c) 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— (A) the successful operation of a photographic detection device; or (B) the number plate from being legible; and (d) the number plate is in a clearly legible condition, including being clearly legible from any position from which it is required to be visible. Maximum penalty—40 penalty units. (2) A load on the vehicle is taken to make the characters not visible contrary to subsection (1)(b) if the load— (a) makes the characters not visible or only partly visible; or (b) obscures the characters. (3) The registered operator must also ensure that— (a) if the vehicle has been issued with 2 number plates—1 number plate is attached to the front of the vehicle and the other to its rear; or (b) if the vehicle has been issued with only 1 number plate—the number plate is attached to its rear. Maximum penalty—12 penalty units. (4) The registered operator does not contravene subsection (1)(a) or (b) if— (a) it is not practicable to attach a number plate to the vehicle in the way required under subsection (1)(a) or (b) because of the vehicle's construction; and (b) the registered operator attaches the number plate to the vehicle as nearly as practicable in the way required under subsection (1)(a) or (b). (5) The registered operator does not contravene subsection (1)(b) if the position for the rear number plate of the vehicle (the towing vehicle) is obscured by another vehicle (the towed vehicle) being towed by the towing vehicle and any of the following applies— (a) the towed vehicle is registered under this regulation or a corresponding law to this regulation, and displays its rear number plate in the way required under subsection (1) or under the corresponding law; (b) the towing vehicle is a tow truck, the towed vehicle is not registered under this regulation or a corresponding law to this regulation, and the towed vehicle— (i) displays the towing vehicle's rear number plate in a way consistent with the requirements of subsection (1); or (ii) displays an accessory plate for the towing vehicle in the way required under section 38(5); (c) the towing vehicle is not a tow truck, the towed vehicle is an exempt vehicle under section 4(a), (b) or (l) when being towed by the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle displays the towing vehicle's rear number plate in a way consistent with the requirements of subsection (1) or under a corresponding law to this regulation. (6) If a vehicle's number plates are removed and confiscated under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, section 74H, the vehicle's registered operator does not contravene subsection (1) or (3) while the number plates are confiscated. (7) In this section— number plate does not include an accessory plate issued under section 37. photographic detection device see section 113 of the Act. [Index]
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Just checked Qld regs & it's 1.3m as well but just states "to number plate" not Top, Centre or Bottom so I'm assuming it would be to the bottom of the plate as in ground clearance. Yes/No?After reading the rules again I'm thinking it would be to the top of the plate as if it was to the bottom then the plate is, in fact, over the 1.3m.
Steve
Looking at the rear of a few vans over the past days and reckon that the only place to mount the number plate so that the vision of it is not obscured by spare wheels etc is perhaps a bit above the regulatory maximum height... however I wonder if the police member in question was grasping at straws for something to 'book' our driver for. The number plate offence may have been the cheapest option amongst a myriad of possibilities .... I recall having issued tickets for a legitimately (committed) offence when the original main reason for being intercepted had a hefty fine attached but the driver/s (being polite, understandable reason etc etc etc) didn't deserve to be hit so hard in the hip pocket.....Know where you're coming from & good on you but a $415 fine would be hefty to my pocket!
On the back of my camper - well last time I checked!:cup:
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I reckon the person who received the fine was probably stopped for something else and got lippy.that was my first thought also
I reckon the person who received the fine was probably stopped for something else and got lippy.
Question still is, even though its registered and legal in WA, could it be a offence in another state?
Yes, pretty sure as long as it meets the regs in the state in which it is registered.yea that's an oldy.. thus why the issue with rear wheel carriers....
Being in NSW I had a helluva time sorting out my numberplate after transferring from QLD. QLD = nice and small trailer number plate. NSW = big fat numberplate that stuck out 150mm over the side of edge of the trailer. RMS wouldn't give me a small one.
So I had to move the plate and mount it on the rear tire carrier and re-wire, but take into account this little pearler:
"the numbers on the number-plate are clearly visible from a distance of 20 metres at any point within an arc of 45 degrees from the surface of the number-plate above or to either side of the vehicle"
yea that's an oldy.. thus why the issue with rear wheel carriers....
Seems manufacturers aren't aware or don't care.
If they have a van with a spare wheel on the back ( or the option of one ) then they have no choice but to break the law..
Looking at that original pic, I can't see anywhere they could have put it and still have that spare wheel mounted there..
If they have a van with a spare wheel on the back ( or the option of one ) then they have no choice but to break the law..
Looking at that original pic, I can't see anywhere they could have put it and still have that spare wheel mounted there..
My father received a fine for under 10km over the limit and did just that and had the fine (and demerit point) rescinded and an official warning issued instead.
I would think the registration authority would not be able to check the height of the number plate, as at the time it would not be registered so there would be no number plate
When he registered it, the registration authority don't go over it with a fine tooth comb. That is the purpose of the compliance plate. They normally do a few basic checks.
There is an exemption for vehicles that can't comply, but that is to cater for things like backhoes, tractors, rear load garbage trucks[/list]
Maybe its to do with making sure it stays within the field of view for speed camera's or police ANPR systems?[/list]Yeh, there might be a few spots they can mount it , but if there is an exemption for vehicles that can't comply, maybe the van maker ( if they could be bothered ) could apply for one ?
It really is a trivial thing, and I'm surprised a cop would even care as long as the plate is clearly visible..and unless they have seen this post, I'm not sure they would all even know that rule ??
A lot of grey nomads have their call sign right at the top of the van, and that is definitely clearly visible !!
It would be easier for a van to comply when compared to a car, given that generally they are wider, flatter and more upright and often dont have provision for towbars.
Prados, Rav4, etc all have spare wheels on the back and comply
That's the silly bit. How does a Landrover Defender comply with the NSW regs that "the numbers on the number-plate are clearly visible from a distance of 20 metres at any point within an arc of 45 degrees from the surface of the number-plate above or to either side of the vehicle"?you could say that with 90% of 4wds...