Show plates

[Noggin]

Anyone got a recommended place to get a numberplate from that doesn't require a V5 etc?

I mean, I do have the V5 but with a UK address. So probably easier to get a show plate?

Can't get a UK number plate here and it'll be a while (with a handful of sunny days) before I can get the French registration. The bit of paper on the back won't pass a gendarme stop (well, maybe once, but after that they'll not have much patience!!)

Help!

[weeksy]

Obvious answer is eBay.

Loads and loads on there, just pick the size and away you go.

[636mick]

Google show plates, loads there.
Mick

[MrLongbeard]

Always used; https://impactshowplates.co.uk/

[Noggin]

I know it's simple to head to Ebay or google, but I need it sent to France so was looking for a place that people had used so that I could ask.

I'll give the one Mr Longbeard mentioned a try then head to winging it!! LOL

[MrLongbeard]

If impact won't post out to you give me a nod and we'll sort something out.

[Count Steer]

I'm a bit behind the curve here but why hasn't Myrtle got a reg plate and won't you be needing a French one?

[Tomcat]

I've used www.flexiplates.co.uk before now and been pleased with the price and results. Check the website for their introductory offer discount.

[DefTrap]

I'm a bit behind the curve here but why hasn't Myrtle got a reg plate and won't you be needing a French one?

The French re-reg process is a long and winding road. How long and how winding seems limitlessly variable.

I've done import paperwork for 6 vehicles (not all of them were mine) and without exception each of them has followed a different path when it came to ease of CT; changing parts (like headlights); getting the COC; getting the tax documentation; the final rereg paperwork.
The current one I'm doing (and I'm not doing any more!) is even more of a pain as it's the first post brexit and Renault are a complete pain in the arse.

[Count Steer]

I'm a bit behind the curve here but why hasn't Myrtle got a reg plate and won't you be needing a French one?

The French re-reg process is a long and winding road. How long and how winding seems limitlessly variable.

I've done import paperwork for 6 vehicles (not all of them were mine) and without exception each of them has followed a different path when it came to ease of CT; changing parts (like headlights); getting the COC; getting the tax documentation; the final rereg paperwork.
The current one I'm doing (and I'm not doing any more!) is even more of a pain as it's the first post brexit and Renault are a complete pain in the arse.

Ah. I thought you had to do it after a certain length of time.

[DefTrap]

Ah. I thought you had to do it after a certain length of time.

If you've just arrived then you have 3 months I believe, to exercise the import process. And you can crack on with existing UK reg and insurance while that carries on

If you're already a resident it's a bit of a grey area. Legally a French -resident- can't run about in a forrin plated vehicle. You might persuade a (French) insurer to give you a few months on a forrin plated vehicle, but no more, and I wouldn't like to test making a claim.

If it takes longer than 3 months (I'm 5 months in with my b-i-l's van, so far, this time the COC is the problem) then it becomes problematical.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Amazon or ebay

[Noggin]

Ah. I thought you had to do it after a certain length of time.

If you've just arrived then you have 3 months I believe, to exercise the import process. And you can crack on with existing UK reg and insurance while that carries on

If you're already a resident it's a bit of a grey area. Legally a French -resident- can't run about in a forrin plated vehicle. You might persuade a (French) insurer to give you a few months on a forrin plated vehicle, but no more, and I wouldn't like to test making a claim.

If it takes longer than 3 months (I'm 5 months in with my b-i-l's van, so far, this time the COC is the problem) then it becomes problematical.

It's very grey, hence preferring to get a 'show' plate rather than the bit of paper I'm currently using!! (Still not 'right' but way better than something home printed!!)

I'm guessing that the plate was broken or might not have been on there.

I 'should' have started the process ages ago, but I didn't (rehab, brain melt, etc etc).

Once I started earlier this year I've really struggled to get paperwork to enable me to process it without importing (can't prove it was here before end of December 2020 as it came in the back of my Transit) and so will have to pay import tax. Also need to try and track down a Certificate of Conformity from Ducati (who have a reputation of being spectacularly unhelpful!!). And will still then have to go to the equivalent of VOSA to get it checked as it's too old to get a full CoC


The insurance I have has, very surprisingly, given me 12 months to register it here. But I'm hoping to get the paperwork in place before the winter and get the actual registration done whilst it's off the road for snow!!


Was a bit surprised to get it before the winter (but VERY VERY HAPPY!) so, after losing my brain for about 3 months, I'm a bit behind on the process!!!

[Count Steer]

I think I'd be sticking it in the back of a van, shipping it back here and ebaying it! Then buying a French bike. What a palaver.
I heard about BHP limits - which was probably why the mechanic that serviced my K1200 disappeared for a 'test ride' for about 20mins after servicing it, when I had it serviced over there. (He did come back with a big grin on his face). This business with COCs etc just seems perverse - what are they trying to stop?

[Noggin]

I think I'd be sticking it in the back of a van, shipping it back here and ebaying it! Then buying a French bike. What a palaver.
I heard about BHP limits - which was probably why the mechanic that serviced my K1200 disappeared for a 'test ride' for about 20mins after servicing it, when I had it serviced over there. (He did come back with a big grin on his face). This business with COCs etc just seems perverse - what are they trying to stop?

I paid 200£ for it as a non runner and bought it to race as a class B bike in DesmoDue

And, having ridden it, it works with my shoulder - so it's worth keeping. Even once I've paid the import tax, it will still be a cheap bike.


With the CoC, I think it's just following the car process - to confirm it's standard. I get the impression that with cars you can't mess about with them too much due to the annual CT/MOT. Currently bikes don't have an MOT so there's a good chance a lot are derestricted if they had been restricted. Also, the power thing only applies to bikes without ABS, so old bikes. I couldn't import a TLs or a Blackbird without restricting them, so making it pointless (although there could be an argument that the BB has linked brakes so could be accepted, but I doubt it based on my limited knowledge of French systems!)

Sadly, with older vehicles, you can't get a full CoC, just a partial, hence the need for the check at DREAL - and another reason the Transit ended up living in the UK (apart from the welding needed to pass the MOT being too expensive out here!)

[Count Steer]

Ah. That explains why I've seen lots of French bikes that clearly weren't factory spec. I'm surprised by the no annual MOT equivalent test.

Does all this malarkey apply if you bring in a bike from eg Spain or Belgium to France?

Anyone know if there are similar hurdles for imports into the UK? I know they have to pass an MOT but is there anything else?

Sorry...questions, questions!

[Noggin]

The no MOT is a bit scary. The first bike I rode out here was a friend's. He lent it to me for a couple of weeks whilst on holiday. When he came back I suggested he had the head bearing checked as something wasn't right. Like, really notchy to steer. Not sure why he hadn't noticed but I guess if you ride something regularly, you don't notice the progressive change? A CT/MOT would have seen it way earlier!

I 'think' there is due to be an annual CT brought in in the next couple of years -LOTS of demonstrations by French bikers who are seriously p'd off about that. But maybe it's more due to the modifications on the bikes rather than the actual CT. Guess it depends how strict they are about modifications


Interestingly, cars out here can only be sold if the CT/MOT is less than 3 months old (might be 6, I can't remember!!). So if you don't have a current CT, you can't sell (because on the online system to change ownership it needs to have a current/less than 3 month old CT to be able to make the transfer to the new owner). That's kinda cool really I guess. I have read recently that there is a way to bypass this, but why would you, as a buyer??!!


I reckon it will be the same coming from any other country - but I do know that some car manufacturers sell the cars with the CoC in the log book - so that makes things a bit easier. Also, some CoC's for uk vehicles are dismissed because there's a phrase in them about right hand drive (or something ). That means an automatic trip to DREAL as it make the CoC only a partial

But if the vehicle is old, then the issue will be the same, as many/most manufacturers don't have full CoCs for older vehicles

Biggest thing that's changed for UK vehicles is the import tax which wasn't there before 31.12.20


No idea going the other way!!

[Mr Moofo]

Just stick a Red and White Belgian style plate on it - nobody will dare come near you ....

[Noggin]

Just stick a Red and White Belgian style plate on it - nobody will dare come near you ....

Bloody good idea!!


TBF, if they knew it was me riding, they'd give me more room, but it's too soon, they don't know its' me

[Count Steer]

Just stick a Red and White Belgian style plate on it - nobody will dare come near you ....

I had one of those (on my Belgian car) when I was too-ing and fro-ing. It was like a red flag to the customs guys at the French end of the Eurotunnel. The number of times I got pulled in for a car search I was on first name bloody terms with the customs people,

One of our guys got his Belgian pool car pulled apart, bumpers off, the works.