Right then...plates...

[WireWalker]

The law isn't actually retroactive as such, however if you read the wording carefully you will notice it applies to plates fitted since 2001. The way they know it's been fitted since then is that it should apply to current regulations and have correctly sized lettering and the makers name and postcode or a suitable BS number. Plates older than 2001 actually need larger letters than a post 2001 item.

I'm in the process of changing all mine over as there is currently an active effort by many forces to remove dodgy plates from the road as they believe many crimes are going undetected by way of disguised vehicles, also they lose a bit of revenue from scameras. If you think about it they're investing a fortune in ANPR and it's all a bit pointless if the real criminals are just whacking on a set of naff plates. Now that they've licensed number plate makers they'll weed out the show plate people with threats of prosecution for operating without the aforementioned licence, currently show plate people are quasi legal as they should claim these are "signs" they are selling.