Re front number plates on an M3W in the UK.
I used to run without one , then was pulled up at MOT time as the car is a MOT class 4 ( exceeds the weight for class 3 by quite a margin ) so needs a front plate.
So my understanding is it is a legal requirement to display one at the front ?
That used to be the case but the regulations were updated last year. The M3W and Super3 are subject to EU44/2014 Annex XIV paragraph 1.3.1 which says:
"Front registration plates are deemed unsuitable for vehicles of categories L1e, L2e, L3e, L4e, L5e, which shall therefore not be equipped with such spaces"Your V5 registration document may show your car as class L5 or L5e. In EU44/2014 Chapter II Article 4 paragraph 3 it states that:
"References to vehicle categories L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6 and L7 in the UNECE regulations shall be understood as references to vehicle categories L1e, L2e, L3e, L4e, L5e, L6e and L7e respectively under this Regulation, including any subcategories."So the requirements for L5e apply to our cars.
The EU document is available at
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2014:025:0001:0102:EN:PDF
Chapter II Article 4 para 3 is on page 8
Annex XIV paragraph 1.3.1 is on page 86.
Re the weight, Table Ap1-1 on page 64 shows the weight limit for L5e is now up to 1,000kg
These changes may take some time to filter down to our MOT test stations so I'd suggest you either fit a front plate for the test or ask the tester before the test if they are aware a front plate is not required.
