sec.118

sec.118 Position, visibility and legibility of number plates

The registered operator of a vehicle must ensure— if 2 number plates are given for the vehicle and the registered operator does not hold an approval under section 142A — 1 of the number plates is attached to the front of the vehicle; and the other number plate is attached to the rear of the vehicle; or if 2 number plates are given for the vehicle and the registered operator holds an approval under section 142A —1 of the number plates is attached to the rear of the vehicle; or if only 1 number plate is given for the vehicle—the number plate is attached to the rear of the vehicle. Maximum penalty—12 penalty units. The registered operator must ensure each number plate is securely attached to the vehicle so that if the vehicle is on level ground— the number plate is— in an upright position parallel to the vehicle’s axles; and not more than 1.3m above ground level; and unless an accessory plate is also attached to the vehicle under section 140 —the characters on the number plate are visible from 20m away at any point within an arc of 45º from the surface of the number plate above or to either side of the vehicle, as shown in— for a vehicle in relation to which subsection (1) (a) applies—figure 1 at the end of this paragraph; or for a vehicle in relation to which subsection (1) (b) applies—figure 2 at the end of this paragraph; and any cover on the number plate— is clear, clean, untinted and flat over its entire surface; and has no reflective or other characteristics that would prevent— the successful operation of a photographic detection device; or the number plate from being legible; and the number plate is in a clearly legible condition, including being clearly legible from any position from which it is required to be visible under paragraph (b) . Maximum penalty—40 penalty units. Characters on a number plate are taken not to be visible under subsection (2) (b) if a load on the vehicle obscures any part of the characters. In this section— number plate — means a number plate or special plate; but does not include an accessory plate given under section 139 or 141 . s 118 amd 2023 SL No. 83 s 15 (sec.118-ssec.1) The registered operator of a vehicle must ensure— if 2 number plates are given for the vehicle and the registered operator does not hold an approval under section 142A — 1 of the number plates is attached to the front of the vehicle; and the other number plate is attached to the rear of the vehicle; or if 2 number plates are given for the vehicle and the registered operator holds an approval under section 142A —1 of the number plates is attached to the rear of the vehicle; or if only 1 number plate is given for the vehicle—the number plate is attached to the rear of the vehicle. Maximum penalty—12 penalty units. (sec.118-ssec.2) The registered operator must ensure each number plate is securely attached to the vehicle so that if the vehicle is on level ground— the number plate is— in an upright position parallel to the vehicle’s axles; and not more than 1.3m above ground level; and unless an accessory plate is also attached to the vehicle under section 140 —the characters on the number plate are visible from 20m away at any point within an arc of 45º from the surface of the number plate above or to either side of the vehicle, as shown in— for a vehicle in relation to which subsection (1) (a) applies—figure 1 at the end of this paragraph; or for a vehicle in relation to which subsection (1) (b) applies—figure 2 at the end of this paragraph; and any cover on the number plate— is clear, clean, untinted and flat over its entire surface; and has no reflective or other characteristics that would prevent— the successful operation of a photographic detection device; or the number plate from being legible; and the number plate is in a clearly legible condition, including being clearly legible from any position from which it is required to be visible under paragraph (b) . Maximum penalty—40 penalty units. (sec.118-ssec.3) Characters on a number plate are taken not to be visible under subsection (2) (b) if a load on the vehicle obscures any part of the characters. (sec.118-ssec.4) In this section— number plate — means a number plate or special plate; but does not include an accessory plate given under section 139 or 141 .

• (a) if 2 number plates are given for the vehicle and the registered operator does not hold an approval under section 142A — (i) 1 of the number plates is attached to the front of the vehicle; and (ii) the other number plate is attached to the rear of the vehicle; or
• (i) 1 of the number plates is attached to the front of the vehicle; and
• (ii) the other number plate is attached to the rear of the vehicle; or
• (b) if 2 number plates are given for the vehicle and the registered operator holds an approval under section 142A —1 of the number plates is attached to the rear of the vehicle; or
• (c) if only 1 number plate is given for the vehicle—the number plate is attached to the rear of the vehicle.
• (i) 1 of the number plates is attached to the front of the vehicle; and
• (ii) the other number plate is attached to the rear of the vehicle; or
• (a) the number plate is— (i) in an upright position parallel to the vehicle’s axles; and (ii) not more than 1.3m above ground level; and
• (i) in an upright position parallel to the vehicle’s axles; and
• (ii) not more than 1.3m above ground level; and
• (b) unless an accessory plate is also attached to the vehicle under section 140 —the characters on the number plate are visible from 20m away at any point within an arc of 45º from the surface of the number plate above or to either side of the vehicle, as shown in— (i) for a vehicle in relation to which subsection (1) (a) applies—figure 1 at the end of this paragraph; or (ii) for a vehicle in relation to which subsection (1) (b) applies—figure 2 at the end of this paragraph; and Figure 1—vehicle to which subsection (1) (a) applies Figure 2—vehicle to which subsection (1) (b) applies
• (i) for a vehicle in relation to which subsection (1) (a) applies—figure 1 at the end of this paragraph; or
• (ii) for a vehicle in relation to which subsection (1) (b) applies—figure 2 at the end of this paragraph; and
• (c) any cover on the number plate— (i) is clear, clean, untinted and flat over its entire surface; and (ii) has no reflective or other characteristics that would prevent— (A) the successful operation of a photographic detection device; or (B) the number plate from being legible; and
• (i) is clear, clean, untinted and flat over its entire surface; and
• (ii) has no reflective or other characteristics that would prevent— (A) the successful operation of a photographic detection device; or (B) the number plate from being legible; and
• (A) the successful operation of a photographic detection device; or
• (B) the number plate from being legible; and
• (d) the number plate is in a clearly legible condition, including being clearly legible from any position from which it is required to be visible under paragraph (b) .
• (i) in an upright position parallel to the vehicle’s axles; and