63Affixing and maintaining number plates

63 Affixing and maintaining number plates (1) The registered operator of a vehicle must ensure each number plate issued by the Secretary for the vehicle is permanently affixed to the vehicle and maintained in accordance with this regulation. (2) The registered operator of a vehicle must ensure that each number plate is affixed to the vehicle so that, when the vehicle is on level ground— (a) the number plate is at all times in an upright position parallel to the vehicle's axles; and (b) the number plate is at all times not more than 1⋅3 metres above ground level; and (c) in the case of a motor cycle, the centre of the number plate is at all times at least 30 centimetres above ground level; and (d) any numbers or letters on the number plate are clearly visible from a distance of 20 metres from the number plate at any point within the space produced by a horizontal arc of 90 degrees and a vertical arc of 45 degrees, as indicated by the shaded areas in Figure 8. (3) The registered operator of a vehicle must ensure that— (a) in the case of a vehicle other than a motor cycle, trailer or agricultural machine, one number plate is affixed to the front of the vehicle and another to its rear; or (b) in the case of a motor cycle or trailer, the number plate is affixed to the rear of the motor cycle or trailer; or (c) in the case of an agricultural machine— (i) one number plate is affixed to the rear of the vehicle; and (ii) one number plate is affixed to the front of the vehicle, if practicable. (4) The requirements in subregulation (2) do not apply to a number plate for a vehicle if— (a) due to the construction of the vehicle it is not practicable to comply with the requirements; and (b) the number plate is affixed in a way that complies as far as practicable with the requirements. (5) The registered operator of a vehicle must ensure that any cover on a number plate— (a) is clear, clean, untinted and flat over its entire surface; and (b) has no reflective or other characteristics that would prevent the successful operation of a device approved for use under a law relating to the detection of traffic offences; and (c) does not prevent the number plate from being legible. (6) The registered operator of a vehicle must ensure that no substance or object is applied or fixed to a number plate of the vehicle if the substance or object would prevent the production of a clear photograph of the number plate by a photographic or electronic detection device. (7) If a vehicle is fitted with a bicycle carrier, any number plate required to be affixed to the rear of the vehicle may instead be securely affixed to the bicycle carrier. Figure 8: Number plates must be clearly visible from 20 metres at all points within the shaded arcs marked "A".