DVLA and actual everyday practice.
Also illegal number plate letter spacing, 3 poi take and up to £1000 fine.
But hay it looked good
Many years ago despite what the DVLA warn about illegal spacing the Police were issued with guidance by DVLA not to prosecute misspacing - probably because it cases of hit & run etc it makes them easier to remember this was a good 30 years ago when Police still prosecuted VEL offences - now left pretty much to the DVLA enforcement teams.
Interestingly I was involved in a case before I retired where one of the shift members stopped a Mercedes SL500 displaying a VRM where the prefix letter had been left off the number plate to show the drivers initials and some numbers. The VEL disc back then showed the full VRM so it was easy to spot the lack of complete VRM.
The driver claimed ignorance but on searching the boot the full number plates were found. The driver was reported for failing to display a registration mark and was twice cautioned. On the third stop by the same officer the driver made a complaint of harassment against the officer.
Only as a result of the complaint (that was not upheld) they finally took the owner to court. Can't remember the fine but it was a fixed penalty equivalent amount due to guilty plea, the prosecution costs awarded were more but not substantially so.
Fast forward to a few years after I retired and was working for Mercedes Benz in Derby and I collected a vehicle for a service & some warranty work. Same VRM in full on a newer SL500. I did smile to myself as the owner could not place me but was sure we had met before!
I was quite surprised to be collecting the SL that was around £85k new from an old semi-detached council house! The whole household were a weird bunch, when I returned the vehicle I had to hand the keys to a young girl. Naturally I rang work to get them to contact the owner that it was okay to hand the keys for such a valuable vehicle to a minor. Thereafter when I collected & returned the vehicle it was via a youngster acting as a go-between.
