Morris Minor Owners Club

Can anyone tell me when the aluminium number plates with raised lettering, where first used please? Would they be right on a 1956 Moggy? My car has white plastic original numerals but they have broken up with ageing. I do prefer the look of the aluminium personally.

I don't think there was a specific date. We have a'56 with the raised white ones like yours, but also had a '66 with white ones.

I think it was either peronal choice or what the garage put on the car when it was first registered.

I think pressed aluminium plates are the "modern" desirable types much as reflective ones were when they came out.
My dads 30s taxis had separate numerals.

Many thanks.

Hi, my son tells me that under the, Road Traffic Act Construction and use Regulations. sub text Display of Vehicle Registration Marks. Vehicles used on and up to 1st April 1968 can use either silver/white on black number plates or the white/yellow plates. BUT vehicles first used after 1st April 1968 must display the black on white/yellow reflectoplate. Under the same act above the use of metal registration plates started to faised out sometime in 1975 as a pedestrian safty issue.

My son also tells me that in some cases people using modern cars displaying the old type black plate have had there insurance revoked at the time of an incident. (non insured 6 points £100 fine). For displaying the wrong type of plate for the year of vehile. ( 3 Points £60 fine) Pressed Aluminium plates are used in favour of the old steel plates with the raised clip on digits these days mainly for cost.

Regards Alan

Thanks Alan . . . most informative.

They are for sale on ebay some vendors list the rules on the listing

I read from a DVLA web site that vehichles rgistered AFTER 1 Jan 1973 HAD to have reflective white or yellow plates with black letters these were an option from 1968 thats why some pre 1973 vehicles have reflective modern types and some have the old black pressed plates with either white or silver letters

So car registered after 1 Jan 1973 must have the white/yellow reflective plates, vehicles pre 1973 can have black ones.