Talk Morgan

Posted to Flickr – photo taken by Mick Travis.

The hi-res image is located at this link.

nice pic! Interesting....to front plate or not to front plate!! I saw the ones that went to the Isle of Man didn't have front plates. I know its a three wheeler and falls into the category of motorcycle (in some countries) but just what is the requirement?

I recall reading somewhere that, in the UK as it is a 'trike' to be road legal it does not require a front number plate, however to pass it MOT it does

From MOT Testing Manuals and Guides

"A motor tricycle is a three wheeled vehicle on which none of the wheeled elements is recognisable as a side car. These vehicles are in Class III or IV, depending on their weight."

So in other words, for MOT purposes a 3-wheeler is not classed as a motorcycle.

6.3 Registration Plates and Vehicle Identification Number

"A three-wheeled vehicle, which has a motorcycle derived front end, does not require a front number plate."

Not sure you'd have much luck convincing an MOT inspector that the Morgan has a motorcycle derived front end.

[Edit]: Googling around UK Trike law, it appears that any trike up to 510kg can be ridden on a motorcycle licence and the type approval for trikes up to 1000kg is the same as for motorcycles.

So in summary, I believe A110GE is correct. You don't need a front plate on the road but you'll have to stick one on at MOT time.

Don't you love UK law

I doubt anyone but the most anal traffic cops would pull you though as they probably wouldn't be 100% sure of the law. Given how low it is you could legitimately say it kept being ripped off, as opposed to high-riding Ferrari owners who like the "put it in the dash and pretend they haven't heard that line before" approach.

How difficult can that be with a bike derived engine sitting out front? I might find out in 3 years and a few months.

When I used to have my Mustang, I kept a print out of the law, in particular a section which covers vehicles not suited to having front plates, in the glovebox. It was provided by a Mustang owner who also happened to be a Crown Prosecutor. His reasoning was that even if the traffic officer wanted to give you a warning for the lack of front plate, the document would baffle them enough to dissuade them of doing so. If MMC do not make an obvious mount for the plate, this document may have a similar effect (as long as the law hasn't been changed). Although, being a UK produced vehicle, it may not carry as much weight as when used in conduction with a LHD import.

Well, it'll be handy for those pesky forward facing speed cameras!