Reflecting on plates
Page 32

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THE OTHER day while driving along in my 1943 DUKW amphibious lorry having just had a pleasant half hour playing in the Thames, I was stopped by a motorcycle police officer who informed me that my vehicle, which in fact is a P-registration because it came out of the Army in 1976 and was only civilian registered in that year, should be displaying reflective number plates.
I then pointed to a brand new W-registration London Transport Bus which came past bearing an old black and white number plate and asked him why that vehicle did not have reflective plates. He admitted he wasn't really sure, but until that moment had been convinced that any vehicle first registered after January 1, 1973, should have reflective number plates.
I have since asked various members of the All Wheel Drive Club what their reactions are, and two told me that they have been stopped in their restored military vehicles bearing post Lregistrations for the same reason.
Can you please enlighten me as to the law on this, and whether it applies to commercial vehicles and psvs?
RICHARD MUIR BEDDALL Chairman All Wheel Drive Club Hayes, Middx Reflective number plates must be fitted to vehicles first registered on or after January 1, 1973, except vehicles over three tons unladen, which are fitted with reflective rear markings, stage carriages, pedestrian controlled vehicles, work trucks, agricultural machines and trailers. Ed.