Where is your camper # plate?

[#jonesy]

The fine automatically carries demerit points, so too the fine amount is predetermined. The police officer doesn't pick and choose what parts of the fine to impose.

The article implies it became law in 2009 in Vic. The current regulations first appeared in 1999, the same time most states started to move toward a uniform sets of road rules. The current regulations are from 2009 as they only last for a max of 10 years and have to be rewritten.

A few things to think about. It was 300mm too high. If he shouldn't be booked, then how high should it be before he is?
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.

[Snow]

VSB 1, 9.1 states 1300mm to the top of the plate. This is backed up in law by ADR 61/02, 9.1.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb1/vsb_01_a.aspx#anc_9

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2005L03994

The manufacturers should be adhering to the reg, no question.

[fuji]

I'll leave you alone as long as it is displayed and is clearly legible. (And registered)
Wayne

[Garfish]

In the qld regs if the design of the vehicle makes it impractical then the 1.3m rule does not apply. Of course wouldn't like to try and argue this




Sent from my fingers via my brain

[alnjan]

I reckon the person who received the fine was probably stopped for something else and got lippy.

Agreed you attitude will affect what you do or don't get, but there is also a growing breed out there that regardless will just insist on being the bad apple and have to write one ticket for each vehicle they stop.

[sparksy]

Nrma have put out a combined sheet showing the relavant legislation in each state. Good to see us over in the west dont have any such regs about height.

http://www.mynrma.com.au/images/About-Education/Numberplate_mount_legislation(1).docx

Question still is,  even though its registered and legal in WA, could it be a offence in another state?

[gronk]

Looking at that original pic, I can't see anywhere they could have put it and still have that spare wheel mounted there !

Now, surely there must be heaps of vans that are "illegal", but I'll give it to the cop for knowing an obscure rule like that !!

But, knowing the rule, and seeing that the person couldn't comply, is only being facetious and really shows how unreasonable he was..

[tk421]

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.

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"

[Bird]

Yes, pretty sure as long as it meets the regs in the state in which it is registered.

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....

[tk421]

yea that's an oldy.. thus why the issue with rear wheel carriers....

Thought about mounting it on the spare tire holder itself, but decided against it for various reasons. The 45 degree lines were marked out on the floor - should be good, and no worse than a Landrover Defender 

[sparksy]

There's a poll on Caravaners forum that shows 44% of respondents have plates over 1.3m
http://caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=58242
Seems manufacturers aren't aware or don't care.

[gronk]

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..

Maybe a law meant for cars that crossed over to vans without anyone looking at the different scenarios, but a law that needs to be altered to suit vans...not that it would be high up the list of any of the bureaucrats !! ( had to google that word !! )

[#jonesy]

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..

A few spots that would likley comply in the photo

• Under the tail lights.
  Along the bottom of the black area.
  just below the black strip
  either end of the rear bar
  on the outer edges of the van
  offset the spare tyre to allow even more room[/

  
  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..
  

  
  looking at the photo a few spots spring to mind
  - below the tail lights
  - along the botto of the black area
  - just below the black area
  - anywhere on the spare wheel
  - either end of the rear bar
  - on the outer edge of the van
  - offset spare wheel and give yourself even more room
  - or do what MDC and the other chinese front folds do and have a bar to the rear of the tyre
  
  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
  
  There is an exemption for vehicles that can't comply, but that is to cater for things like backhoes, tractors, rear load garbage trucks

[bergersau]

Hi Bird,
If you've an otherwise clean diving record for the the last 2 years (no points on your licence).
A polite letter to the issuing authority, stating that the plate was clearly visible and that it has now been moved to a compliant location and requesting the fine be amended to an official warning might do the trick.

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.

[gronk]

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.

Have got off many times with this.....if you have a clean record for 10 yrs and it's under 10 ( or 15 ? ) over the limit ( but not in a school zone ) you can even do it over the net and receive a warning only..

[fishfinder]

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.

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

[gronk]

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]

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 !!

[tk421]

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 !!

Maybe its to do with making sure it stays within the field of view for speed camera's  or police ANPR systems?[/list]

[tk421]

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"?

[Bird]

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...

[Hotdognz]

I drive up and down the Bruce hwy daily at least twice a week for work, I get to follow a lot of the caravans on the hwy and can say 90% of them are breaking this law and the owners wouldnt have a clue that they were, I can cop a fine, but adding 3 demerit points to this regulation seems very harsh and a bit over the top by our lawmakers, demerit point can soon add up and as most of us use our cars for work and plenty of other stuff, laws like this could put us in a very bad situation with demerit points added to what should really be just a fine.

Thank god Ultimate Campers were on to it and posted out to all their owners on their database about this, they even offered us all 3 options to rectify it and one was free fix which I used, now I'm legal again.

Cheers Stephen