Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 What size of number plates are you using ?

I would have thought that the DVLA needs to make it clear. The MTW is homologated as a car in the UK because it is too heavy to be homologated as a trike however in other countries it is homologated as a trike (Italy) or as a motorcycle (USA).

The DVLA regs in the article do not really seem to make any reference to a trike that is not derived from either a motorcycle or from a 4 wheeled vehicle. The MTW has been designed as a trike and is not derived from anything else. I suspect they would take the view that, as it is homologated as a car in the UK, it must comply with the rules for cars.

This document seems to be more of a guide to users rather than the actual regulations. Reading the actual regulations may reveal a ruling specifically for trikes.

One could always request a ruling from the DVLA but perhaps it is best to let sleeping dogs lie.

Please! We are currently protesting the recent rule change for driving licences and the omission of the front plate 'because it is a motorcycle' does not sit well with the argument that it isn't a bike, and a bike test is an irrelevance and one should be able to drive it with a car test pass at 17. Not two bike tests and experience and be a minimum of 21.

My MP has put the question to Minister of Transport, but I've not yet had an answer from there, or Greg Knight MP who is the chairman of the All Party Historic Vehicle Group. I have suggested that DVLA redefine car bodied three wheelers as cars to get over this. A front numberplate is a very small cost.

I for one would hate for some bureaucrat to rule that it is a bike and therefore where is your compulsory crash helmet?

AFAIK crash helmets are not compulsory in a sidecar...

I'm not fitting my M3W with a sidecar!

Hi Graham.

Maybe not in the UK,but in the rest of Europe it is mandatory to have an approved crash helmet on in the sidecar.

Rudolf (200.000 sidecar km's with BMW K1100RS/ EML speed2000)

The DVLA are only concerned with licencing so I wouldn't think they'd have an interest. How they classify the M3W will define who can drive one and how much the tax is but won't have anything to do with front number plates.

Homologation is the realm of the Vehicle Certification Agency and Construction and Use is the Department for Transport. As I pointed out earlier, these agencies all have their own definitions of what constitutes a "trike" and they are all different.

~iw

Not denied, the Morgan is in all sorts of categories depending on whether one is driving one, homologating a new one, MOTing one, competing in one and that is without considering export markets with their own rules.

It's treated by most bikers though as an honorary bike and I've even been treated to a jammed North Circular making a lane for me like a police car!

I admit to a fair amount of ignorance on the workings of the UK system, but the document in the link is published by the DVLA here

My only dealings with them are for my driver's licence, but that is another story.

I'm sure you are correct Ian but there does seem to be some overlap in departmental responsibilities.

I've got a motorcycle plate on the front of mine and so far no issues with the BiB!