MOT Requirements

[big al]

Hi beddowsm.
If you got lights thet must work
if indicators were not fitted to the bike as standard then they can't be tested .
But you will need a horn /standard number plate

[lancashirelad]

It's a constant source of amusement to me how all the bikes in the Scottish Six Day Trial get away with it every year most numberplates couldn't be read from 6ft away :whistle:

[big al]

Hi johnnyboxer, your right there is no requirement for a standard size number plate But the letters and spacing must be of the required standard, and therfore the numberplates that you see now are the correct size to accommodate the size of letters and the spacing.
Al

[big al]

Number plate sizing isn't but the size of the letters and correct spacing is
character hight must be 64mm
character width 44mm
and space between character 10mm this is the legal requirement

[big al]

No I dont measures the specific font with a ruler , but through many years of experience I know whether a numbe plate
Or font is of the correct size (thumbs) l

[johnnyboxer]

But you will need a standard number plate

I thought the number plate isn't part of the mot

What is a 'standard number plate'

There is no specific plate diameter (it could be 3 foot x 3 foot) just a specific font type, letter size & spacing requirement

[Old Git Ray]

Link to the official DVLA info:-

Dvla Official data sheet

As it pertains to bikes:-

The characters on the number plate must be set out over two lines and must be displayed on all motorcycles registered on or after 1 January 1973
The rules for motorcycles shown below.

1) Characters must be 64mm tall
2) Characters (except the number 1 or letter I) must be 44mm wide
3) The character stroke (the thickness of the black print) must be 10mm
4) The space between characters must be 10mm
5) The space between the age identifier and the random letters must be 30mm
6) The margins at the top, bottom and side of the plate must be at least 11mm
7) Vertical space between the age identifier and the random numbers must be 13mm

Others above have stated that the size is not specified and althouth this is strictly true, the size is technically dictated by item 6, the 11mm margins around the figures.

Oddly enough, it states that a bike plate must be on two lines and it also states that the gap between the age identifier and random letters should be 30mm.
This will give a plate that looks something like this:-

..AB
66 XYZ

as opposed to:-

AB 66
.XYZ

Mad innit ?

[johnnyboxer]

Hi johnnyboxer, your right there is no requirement for a standard size number plate But the letters and spacing must be of the required standard, and therfore the numberplates that you see now are the correct size to accommodate the size of letters and the spacing.
Al

Ok but the number plate sizing or legality isn't a specific part of the mot test - that falls into construction & use law on a public highway

None of my bikes ever has the number plate legality checked or commented on (in an advisory on mot) at mot time

[johnnyboxer]

All bikes need a chain guard .

What constitutes a chain guard ??

[johnnyboxer]

Number plate sizing isn't but the size of the letters and correct spacing is
character hight must be 64mm
character width 44mm
and space between character 10mm this is the legal requirement

As a specific part of a mot test?

Do you measure the font & letter spacing & sizing with a ruler ?