Stopped by Gardai for 4D number plates

I had to look up what 4D plates were. Did they comply with the legal requirements for size, font etc? If they did I'd leave them on the car, if not I'd remove them.

Can anyone tell me what 3D number plates would look like if these are considered 4D?

Unless of course the 4th dimension is "confusion", in which case, carry on.

Think the reason they’re illegal is because speed vans can’t recognise them.

The reason they’re illegal (assuming the dimensions of the letters and numbers are correct, which is rare…) is that there is a requirement that the letters/numbers not be fixed to the front of the plate, and they must not be removable.

These guys say they are legal in Ireland.

Bear in mind though that they have skin in the game.

Are those plates legal or for 'track use' only?

...and they seem unable to spell 'Border' 😋

I noticed that.

That's what happens when you do your own proofreading.

They do seem pretty sure about the legality of the plates though.

Non-standard plates are an immediate NCT fail, which basically ends the debate around legality. Obviously some people keep a set of basic plates just to pass the NCT, but the Guards can and will prosecute for them too, but not generally if a warning will suffice for a first offence and so on.

So, yes, illegal and also a sin.

This is a link to the regs.

Just scroll down the page.

It is quite detailed.

Interested to hear comments.

Yup, the ones that look like the old metal plates, ie: barely raised from the background, would most likely be grand. But on that link, where it says click here if you're interested, the plate that it showed me would instantly call the guards over (if they're that type of Garda). One thing the Garda could say in court is that due to the high raise of the letters, at an angle they could merge and not be picked up by the ANPR.

When I was a Garda, I wouldn't pull someone in just for those plates, or the gammy yellow Irish ones (why? just why?!). But usually someone with those plates does something to elicit being pulled over. If that was the case, I'd mention it, but I don't think I ever followed up on it. Tbh, I usually just told them that a different Garda could do them, and they look horrible so change them.

It's one of the most specific pieces of legislation in Ireland. Why can't people just use the normal ones and not have to be different?

Re: Square plates on jap imports, I think they're exempt due to not having the long depression for the standard plates. Not 100%, but as long as they contain the 6 elements above, I don't think any Garda would say anything. German plates are illegal though, and just because you haven't been pulled doesn't mean you'll never be pulled.