Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Front number plate - a warning !

Went for the mogs annual MOT today and got an MOT warning ( i.e. fix it for next time ) off the tester that it should really have a front number plate as its a class 4.
In class 4 number plates are mandatory.
It cant be a class 3 where front plates are exempt because its too heavy - i.e. over 500KG.

Now genuinely thought it was a class three, so I fished out the V5 doc which I happened to have with me showing this.
The V5 also shows its operational weight at 550, so class 4.

Now I know this is old ground discussed long ago. I only raise it as I removed the front number plate early on as I think it looks better without, and have had three previous pass tests, at the same test station, all without the plate.
The only difference this time was there was a new tester, a youngish chap ( clearly keen), while the old hand was on holiday.

So my take is it is down to the inspector's discretion how to interpret this.
He did say while he expected it to be on next year, it's up to the owner what they do with the car once it's driven off(obviously).
My interpretation is I take it next year, with some tie wraps and see what happens!

"Three-wheeled vehicles that do not have a body type which is characteristic of the body of a four-wheeled vehicle do not require a front number plate. All other vehicles, including quadricycles, must be fitted with front and rear registration plates, which must both be checked to ensure the registration number displayed is the same."


I quote the above from the testers manual for class 4 vehicles - which is correct for the Morgan 3 wheeler. Writing as an MOT tester and centre manager I'd conclude that in fact you do not need a front plate on your Morgan 3 wheeler. Nippymog is correct about it being how the tester interprets this. To me its clear - not required, I'd not want to suggest that the tester reads the manual as it may offend, but clearly it would be a good idea! Biggest mistake all testers make - young and old - is to assume they know what the manual says.

As per Andymot, it all depends on the tester on the day.

Mine thankfully has years of experience and lots of common sense.

During my M3W ownership I checked up when this subject was last under discussion. This is an excerpt from DVLA V796 concerning vehicle registration plates.

There are separate provisions for motorcycles and tricycles. Basically motorcycles registered after 1.9.2001 must only display a number plate at the rear of the vehicle. Motorcycles registered before 1.9.2001 can display a number plate at the front but are not required to. Tricycles derived from four wheeled bodies i.e. saloon cars must meet the normal requirements above whereas tricycles derived from motorcycles must meet the requirements for motorcycles.

Whilst the wording is clumsy I've seen reference elsewhere the definition refers to tricycles with enclosed bodywork and steering wheel.

While that is true and still current, unfortunately, it doesn't cross-reference to the MOT class system, so in the mind of the MOT tester doubt will still exist.
I think a link between the two would solve this.

This is a link to the current V796 document, which includes your quote :
https://assets.publishing.service.g...ion-numbers-and_number-plates-inf104.pdf

I had a Piaggio MP3 scooter with 2 close coupled front wheels, in the V5 it said bicycle but an MOT bike tester refused as he said they did not test tricyles. Took it elsewhere, so interpretation of the rules can vary. Piaggio produced a version with wider track & a foot operated brake so it could be ridden on a car licence.

Perhaps the interpretation of "derived from four-wheeled bodies" means that if you sit IN it rather than ON it the requirement is that you sport a front numberplate..?

However, the M3W is derived from a 1930's design Three Wheeler.

I run without a front number plate but do put one on for the MOT just to avoid any issues.

+1 same for me though thinking about it, the number plate was in my garage, about 100 miles from the car during its last MOT!
Two screws for the mounting plate then Velcro to hold the number plate itself on.