12 June 2009

Euro Style number plates in the ACT

| jase!
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I realise compared to the almost daily problems with cyclists in the ACT this is a pretty minor issue but i thought i would write a post about it anyway.

I recently bought a VW and figured that i would try and get euro style plates for it because it looks a bit odd with the regular plate in the Euro sized cut out. I then found out that the ACT and NT are the only states/territories where these plates are not available. I wrote to rus@act.gov.au and was informed that my name had been added to a list of people who had completed a survey to say there were interested in these plates. This seems like ACT government “consultation” at its best because I hadn’t seen anything about a survey in the time I have been here.

If there are other people out there interested in these size plates it might be worth dropping an email to the rus@act.gov.au email account and see what happens. For those who don’t know what these plates look like you can take a look here http://www.vicnumberplates.com.au/ShowCategoryPlates.aspx?CategoryId=82

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Holden Caulfield10:03 am 21 Apr 11

Pointless to dig up this thread really, given the inaction from Road User Services, but anyway, following discussion HERE, I thought it would be worth a bump…

…I’m still interested in Euro plates!

georgesgenitals8:35 pm 19 Aug 09

ACT Resident – what you’re doing is not right. Why would you hassle a public servant because you don’t like your number plate options?

Please grow up.

monomania said :

ACTResident said :

I’m not threatening anyone… Just saying what I will do if the ACT government won’t get with the time. One of the advantages of having a NSW residential address as an option. 🙂

Boo Hoo. Give me the sort of numberplate I want. And if ypu won’t I will take my rego elsewhere. That’ll teach you.

Stop behaving like a child having a tantrum. It may not be right but is just a car numberplate. Keep things in perspective. Realise that what you are doing is threatening to freeload on the rest us. If you feel that strongly about it move to NSW.

I agree – lay off the threatening bahaviour, it’s really inappropriate.

Some of the Japanese cars don’t even fit the standard issue plate – you have to bend the sides in, or pay for one of the other options. Be thankful that yours just “looks a little odd”!

What is the difference between a slim line plate and a european plate?

ACTResident said :

I’m not threatening anyone… Just saying what I will do if the ACT government won’t get with the time. One of the advantages of having a NSW residential address as an option. 🙂

Boo Hoo. Give me the sort of numberplate I want. And if ypu won’t I will take my rego elsewhere. That’ll teach you.

Stop behaving like a child having a tantrum. It may not be right but is just a car numberplate. Keep things in perspective. Realise that what you are doing is threatening to freeload on the rest us. If you feel that strongly about it move to NSW.

I’m not threatening anyone… Just saying what I will do if the ACT government won’t get with the time. One of the advantages of having a NSW residential address as an option. 🙂

Here’s the reply:

From: Davidson, Geoffrey [mailto:]
Sent: Friday, 14 August 2009 15:30
To: ACT Resident
Cc: Road User Services; Clark, Rebecca; Balshaw, Greg
Subject: RE: Follow Up: Euro Number Plates for the ACT REF:B20

Dear ACT Resident

Thank you for your email of 14 August 2009 regarding European style numberplates.

The ACT does not offer European style numberplates as there has not been a high demand for them. To introduce European style numberplates the would require enhancements to the Road Transport Authority’s computer system, rego.act. Given the number of enhancements already prioritised for 2009 and 2010, there are no plans for the introduction of European style numberplates in the immediate future.

The ACT already has a wide range of non-standard numberplates available including numeric, personalised, name, unique, vehicle make and slimline plates.

In relation to your comment about the registration of your vehicle, I can advise that under section 8 of the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1999, a vehicle may be registered in the ACT only if the vehicle is garaged at an address in the ACT. Further, an applicant for registration is required to provide evidence of the vehicle’s ACT garaging address. This is consistent with the requirements of all other jurisdictions in Australia.

Thank you for your email. I regret that I cannot be of more assistance.

Yours sincerely

Geoffrey Davidson
Manager Business Support & Training
Road User Services
Transport and Infrastructure Services
Department of Territory and Municipal Services

Telephone: (02) 620 77195
Fax: (02) 620 76941

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy12:54 pm 14 Aug 09

ACTResident said :

If no timeframe is available, I will change the registration of all three of my vehicles into NSW. If Road User Services can’t provide basic options available to almost the entire population of Australia outside the borders of the ACT (which ACT residents would happily PAY EXTRA FOR), then Road User Services will not get my $2500 a year for vehicle registration.

Threats will get you everywhere…

From: ACTResident
Sent: Friday, 14 August 2009 11:24
To: rus@act.gov.au
Subject: Follow Up: Euro Number Plates for the ACT

Hello there,

Earlier in the year when I purchased a European car I was shocked to discover that out of all t he states and territories in Australia, only the ACT and the NT do not have Euro style numberplates available. So I contacted Road User Services via telephone and was advised that Euro style plates would be made available for ACT registered vehicles “soon”. As there was no timeframe specified, I thought I would write to find out.

This is not an expression of interest – I’m already more than interested. This is a query as to when I can expect to be able to purchase Euro style number plates in the ACT. If no timeframe is available, I will change the registration of all three of my vehicles into NSW. If Road User Services can’t provide basic options available to almost the entire population of Australia outside the borders of the ACT (which ACT residents would happily PAY EXTRA FOR), then Road User Services will not get my $2500 a year for vehicle registration.

Kind Regards,
ACT Resident

the legislative assembly logo? lol I’m sure you could find something better than that.

The ACT Government only consult on things that might get them kicked out of government..

Holden Caulfield10:50 pm 12 Jun 09

Here’s a proposed Euro plate design I knocked up about three years ago now.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh177/Holden-Caulfield/ACT_Euro_plate.gif

Anyone get the feeling this is falling on deaf ears?

Hardly surprising that RUS is still living in the early 90s with their numberplates, their selection hasn’t changed for 10+ years, other than adding the Brumbies plates and the rediculous 2013 centenary plates. Even rear slimline plates has always been too hard for them, with some BS excuse as to why they can’t do it. The current range is hideous, until then the standard plates stay on the car.

Holden Caulfield3:09 pm 12 Jun 09

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy said :

The company comes from Germany. Only a few of their models would actually be manufactured their now.

All manufacturing for the new Golf has moved back to Germany, so that will bump up the numbers of German VWs for Australia, at least.

A full list here: http://www.volkswagenag.com/vwag/vwcorp/content/en/the_group/production_plants.html

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy2:59 pm 12 Jun 09

Bike rack… Bloody cyclists…

James-T-Kirk2:18 pm 12 Jun 09

“Last time I asked RUS about “a friend” who wanted to do something like that I was informed that my buddy could expect a hefty fine for using an unapproved plate. Can’t quite remember the exact total of the fine, but $1200 sticks in my memory.”

Is $1200 the cost for purchasing a plate? If so – then it is easy swap!!

I wonder how much they bill you for making a plate out of cardboard, and mounting it on your bike rack?

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy2:04 pm 12 Jun 09

The company comes from Germany. Only a few of their models would actually be manufactured their now.

Holden Caulfield2:04 pm 12 Jun 09

Last time I asked RUS about “a friend” who wanted to do something like that I was informed that my buddy could expect a hefty fine for using an unapproved plate. Can’t quite remember the exact total of the fine, but $1200 sticks in my memory.

(You’d reckon that must be a bit out of whack, so I may have that wrong.)

Just get one made with your number plate letters in whatever format you want from one of the millions of places world wide the manufacture them (must be some in Europe that can do the shape you want).

In the very unlikely event that anyone ever notices they are non standard, just say they were on the car when you bought it, and the RUS didn’t say anything at the inspection.

Holden Caulfield1:52 pm 12 Jun 09

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy said :

But Volkswagen comes from Germany.

Well, that depends on the model of car jase bought. It could well have come from Germany, but it could also have come from South Africa, Mexico or Spain (plus a few others to boot).

Holden Caulfield1:50 pm 12 Jun 09

jase! said :

they already have someone making plastic plates for them, hell I could find someone to design the plate for them in their spare time, it isn’t rocket surgery.

I have a mock up of an ACT Euro plate at home. I’ll dig it up later tonight.

Maybe the French farmers came from the Alsace/Elsass.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy1:42 pm 12 Jun 09

But Volkswagen comes from Germany.

This is getting really odd.

Probably France, during the infamous orange farmers blockade.

where the hell did fluro orange come from?

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy12:59 pm 12 Jun 09

Because you can hassle them over breaching the Privacy Principles, and use this as leverage to get your silly flouro orange number plate.

why would I have fun with that? all I am after is some plates that fit the front of the car properly

and world peace

James-T-Kirk12:50 pm 12 Jun 09

” I wrote to rus@act.gov.au and was informed that my name had been added to a list of people who had completed a survey to say there were interested in these plates”

Hmmm – A couple of questions that come to mind:

1. Were you INFORMED that you would be participating in a survey prior to receiving an email from them indicating that you HAD participated in the survey?

2. Were you INFORMED that your personal information would be used in this way?

From the construct of this sentence (if this is what happened), then it looks like these turkeys have operated contrary to the privacy principles.

Have fun with that!

a new business opportunity for the Hume Hilton ?

they already have someone making plastic plates for them, hell I could find someone to design the plate for them in their spare time, it isn’t rocket surgery.

in the words of top gear. how hard can it be.

thanks for the petition HC

You’ll be sure to be paying a hefty premium for them if they ever do come to Canberra mind you…

If you take a look at the NSW RTA site it appears there’s a fair few restrictions on the characters you can use with them. Dunno why – might be the same if they turn up here.

Holden Caulfield11:48 am 12 Jun 09

jase I’ve been at them about this for a few years now. I’ve written to RUS (a few times) and Hargreaves. The usual responses are “we’re looking at it”, or “it’s under consideration”, or “we’re due to consider it again next year”.

Good luck!

“I realise compared to the almost daily problems with cyclists in the ACT this is a pretty minor issue but i thought i would write a post about it anyway.”

But surely somehow it’s the cyclists fault? Everything else is, so this must be!

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