legality of CD sticker on licence plate

PCPhoto · 03-02-2011 12:23PM #1

This might be one for legal discussions but I think the people of Motors might have some insight into it.

Spotted a car this morning on my way to work with a "CD" sticker on Licence plate - For those who don't know "CD" on a car registration plate means the car has diplomatic immunity and therefore not touched by Gardai/clampers....and as such sometimes abuse/break the law in respect of rules of the road.

my main question is ...my understanding is that the "CD" should be part of the actual licence plate - the guy I saw this morning was driving a car with a sticker which said "CD" .... and I'm questioning if its legal to put a sticker on saying "CD" when the licence plate should be registered with the "CD" marking and the sticker would indicate that its not registered and possibly a vehicle falsely claiming to have diplomatic immunity in order to avoid parking fees/clamping/driving fines.

Is there any punishment for someone with a "CD" sticker on or near their licence plate ?

What happens to proper diplomatic cars - are they re-registered and sold ?
(all/most diplomatic vehicles are upgraded annually/bi-annually)

mikedragon32 · 03-02-2011 01:02PM

Cars don't have diplomatic immunity... The drivers generally do. But to dispel a myth, diplomatic cars are still subject to local parking regulations, so if they're clamped or towed they have to pay like the rest of us. With regard to traffic violations, bus lane infringements or what not, Gardaí will sometimes stop cars with CD stickers and check that the driver is indeed someone who is immune to prosecution, as it may be that while the passenger might be the Ambassador, the driver may be hired help! The Japanese embassy usually hires Irish drivers for example and they wouldn't enjoy the benefits of a diplomat.

By virtue of the fact that some diplomats are immune to prosecution, then surely there can be no punishment for them putting a sticker on their reg plate?

When an embassy car is sold, usually there are new plates put on that don't have CD on them, or, if it's a sticker, it's just removed. My Brother-in-law owns a former French Embassy car. Fantastic spec, even has the little flagpoles which can be removed and put in a little compartment!

whippet · 03-02-2011 01:11PM

my take on the immunity is that they can be charged with a crime but can offer Diplomatic Immunity as a defense.

So, in theory they are subject to all laws of the land, but if they are charged with an offence they can offer the DI defense.

I would imagine once they offer that defence the Department of Foreign Affairs would then choose to 'expell' the diplomat, depending on the seriousness of the crime.

Zubeneschamali · 03-02-2011 01:16PM

I believe CD plates or stickers have no legal meaning here.

Anan1 · 03-02-2011 01:23PM

whippet wrote: »

my take on the immunity is that they can be charged with a crime but can offer Diplomatic Immunity as a defense.

So, in theory they are subject to all laws of the land, but if they are charged with an offence they can offer the DI defense.

I would imagine once they offer that defence the Department of Foreign Affairs would then choose to 'expell' the diplomat, depending on the seriousness of the crime.

My understanding was that they couldn't be arrested or detained? The idea behind DI is to prevent states from harassing diplomats of foreign states.

whippet · 03-02-2011 01:32PM

Anan1 wrote: »

My understanding was that they couldn't be arrested or detained? The idea behind DI is to prevent states from harassing diplomats of foreign states.

could be, i'm not an expert.

I have looked at Wikipedia and its a complex matter actually !!! there is differing levels of DI.

PCPhoto · 03-02-2011 01:47PM

This is an example of what I'm talking about:

the car may not have a driver who has diplomatic immunity and could just be someone throwing a sticker on and never getting a fine (or possibly hoping that the powers that be think its a diplomatic vehicle).

Does anyone know if there is any punishment for having a sticker like this on a car - I doubt there is and would mean that people with expensive cars could (in theory) just throw a sticker on and hope they don't get stopped/questioned..... I'm sure the gardai could claim they driver was "impersonating a diplomat" or some trumped up charge but the long and short of it is that its simply a sticker put on the car.

corktina · 03-02-2011 01:53PM

i thought diplomatic cars were nowadays numbered in a xxx X xxx series...or is that just the UK?

PCPhoto · 14-02-2011 01:07PM

sorry for bringing up this thread - but its a similar issue....spotted this on the way home after the Ireland v France game yesterday(Sun)

Personally I don't think many diplomatic consulates would be purchasing an ASTRA !! ...they are normally high end mercs.

and I find it strange that there is two "CD" on the plate.

anyone else think this is someone trying to avoid paying tolls etc....I mean what is the punishment for putting a "CD" sticker on your licence plate ?

useless · 14-02-2011 01:25PM

Yep, not always the case. Greek embassy often has an old LHD Punto and some small Hyundai (think its an Atoz, not sure) on CD plates sitting outside it.

neilthefunkeone · 14-02-2011 01:27PM

Yeah i saw a car with CD stickers on the reg the other day... I remember thinking it was a piece of crap!! cant remember what the model was!

But it could have been a family member or employee of an embassy?? Would they be covered under it?

PCPhoto · 02-03-2011 01:18PM

Diplomatic plates are specifically for those with diplomatic immunity - those employed by embassy's (I think) ...and from my understanding ...the driver MUST have a specific licence.

Spotted this the other day - I'm beginning to think either embassy's are abusing the diplomatic plate system or some people are just adding stickers to avoid paying tolls/fees.

quad_red · 02-03-2011 01:46PM

PCPhoto wrote: »

Diplomatic plates are specifically for those with diplomatic immunity - those employed by embassy's (I think) ...and from my understanding ...the driver MUST have a specific licence.

Incorrect. Diplomats in this country have CD plates but so do embassy vehicles. So Irish citizens working for embassies may be driving CD work vehicles for work purposes (but *not* as 'company cars' and they cannot have CD plates personally).

Also, fyi, Gardai *do* stop CD plated cars to check details/random breathalyser.

And CD plated cars can and do have to pay tolls, can/do get clamped, can get speeding tickets etc. :rolleyes:

PCPhoto · 02-03-2011 01:51PM

I apologise - I stand corrected .... my understanding was that those with diplomatic immunity/plates were immune from being prosecuted in the courts and also immune from fines etc.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/diplomat-charged-with-drink-driving-2405084.html

A diplomat has been charged with drink driving after he was allegedly spotted by gardai driving through the centre of Dublin in a car with only two tyres.

But gardai may now be forced to withdraw the charge if the man's claim of diplomatic immunity is officially confirmed. The official, who is attached to the Ukrainian embassy in Ballsbridge, is due to appear in Dublin District Court later this month.

He was charged with drink driving after he was arrested by gardai on Sunday night and taken to Store Street garda station.

Sparks

The diplomat was detained when gardai investigated a report that a Toyota Yaris car was being driven on Ellis Quay with sparks emerging from the wheels on the passenger's side of the vehicle.

The man told gardai in the station that he was seeking diplomatic immunity and declined to undertake a breath test.

Gardai were unable to confirm his claim because it was late at night and he was charged with the offence.

However, inquiries subsequently indicate that the man works at the embassy and if his diplomatic status is officially confirmed by the Ukranians and the Department of Foreign Affairs it is likely that the charge will be withdrawn when the case is called in the court.

Gardai will also have to consult with the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions before any decision can be reached.

Diplomatic status for officials representing foreign governments is recognised in most countries and has been invoked here in the past.

- Tom Brady Security Editor

-Corkie- · 02-03-2011 03:14PM

Thats intresting!!. I never even knew such a thing existed..:o

sdanseo · 02-03-2011 07:58PM

I can't speak for the system here, but years ago we lived in Belgium as my Dad was a civil servant and was posted to the Irish GOvernment offices in Brussels. We had CD plates on both his car and my Mam's so I'd say diplomatic cover extends to family here, too.

Brussels being the eurocentric city that it is, parking was always a breeze lol, there were special CD spaces marked on the street near every public building.

legality of CD sticker on licence plate

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