www.thesun.co.uk – 8th January 2021
DRIVING in snow and ice can be treacherous – and it can also be dangerous for your wallet. It’s not just your windscreen and roof that needs clearing after a dump of snow – leaving your number plate obscured can land you in hot water.
Britain is set to be hit with six inches of snow today, before the nation is blanketed by the white stuff again tomorrow.
Snow causes chaos for millions of drivers battling to get to work in tough conditions.
And in the rush they could be opening themselves up to hefty penalties by not clearing their cars windscreens properly.
Brits can pick up a £1,000 fine if they leave their number plate obscured by any ice or snow.
Most of us will routinely shift all the snow and ice from the windscreen and roof, but it can get also plastered to your number plate.
If you take off without clearing it, you aren’t displaying your plates according to the law.
It’s illegal as it blocks you from being picked up by speed cameras and obscures it from view of police who use your reg to check if you’re taxed, insured and have valid MOT.
The rules apply to both the front and rear plates – and the same rule means if it’s too dirty you can also be hit with a fine.
So if it’s getting covered in grit and other winter road muck make sure you give it a wipe to avoid being caught out.
The law states: “Number plates (also known as licence plates) should show your vehicle registration number correctly.
“You can’t rearrange letters or numbers, or alter them so that they’re hard to read.”
An incorrectly displayed plate is also enough to see your car fail its MOT.
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