Theft of personalised plates

balthazarr · 28-10-2008, 01:28 AM

I've ordered a set of personalised plates for my new car, and was wondering what the story is if the plates are stolen?

Obviously, if you have standard-issue plates, they can withdraw them and issue a different set. If your personalised plates are stolen, does that mean you lose the rights to your plates?

Becker_11 · 28-10-2008, 03:22 AM

Bloody good question there Balthazarr I'm interested in the answer as well ...

dusty86 · 28-10-2008, 08:50 AM

I think someone on here got theirs stolen and yes you can't use them again, they can supposedly reissue them but whenever they get seen by the police they will come up as a stolen plate

WindsorXR · 28-10-2008, 10:56 AM

We had a guy at work who got his plates stolen and he reported it to police.
When he was re-issueing his plates, they asked him if he wanted different plates made up or if he wanted the same ones. He ended up getting the same ones, but they are the choices your given. When he put the new plates on he fitted them up on a bit of checkered plate, so i guess if they see the same type of car doing something wrong he could argue that it isn't him maybe.

This is the reason i have fitted up those one way security screws. They could prob still be taken off, but there is less chance of that happening now.

balthazarr · 28-10-2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSSXR8

... When he put the new plates on he fitted them up on a bit of checkered plate, so i guess if they see the same type of car doing something wrong he could argue that it isn't him maybe.

Good idea. I don't know how that would work with Citylink/Eastlink & 'safety' cameras though... I could see it becoming a huge hassle, having to keep ringing up/writing in trying to prove it wasn't you but some dick that stole your plates.

Quote:

This is the reason i have fitted up those one way security screws. They could prob still be taken off, but there is less chance of that happening now.

Yep. I've bought some one-ways. Not sure what the go is when removing them though. If (when) I get rid of my car, I'll want to take the plates with me.

WindsorXR · 28-10-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by balthazarr

.....Yep. I've bought some one-ways. Not sure what the go is when removing them though. If (when) I get rid of my car, I'll want to take the plates with me.

It said on my packet that mechanic shops have special tools for them, but i reckon that you could have a bit of a play with a few different tools. And if you have a welder, just a tiny tack to a bit of metal should do the trick quite nicely.

NYTEYZ · 28-10-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSSXR8

This is the reason i have fitted up those one way security screws. They could prob still be taken off, but there is less chance of that happening now.

Where do you get these from?

balthazarr · 28-10-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYTEYZ

Where do you get these from?

Got mine from Bunnings. They come in a pack with various sized screws and nuts/bolts to fit most vehicles.

WindsorXR · 28-10-2008, 12:54 PM

Yeah, i got mine from Autobarn. Pretty much any auto shop or hardware store should have some. I think you can also get some from Vicroads.

schnoods · 28-10-2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSSXR8

It said on my packet that mechanic shops have special tools for them, but i reckon that you could have a bit of a play with a few different tools. And if you have a welder, just a tiny tack to a bit of metal should do the trick quite nicely.

The tool can be had for under $5 from bunnings. when i used to lock myself out of the flat, i could get one from bunnings and get in via a security screen.

But the chances of someone having a torx bit is alot more remote than a screwdriver. Tamper Proof Screws are common with security screens nowadays too.

balthazarr · 28-10-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schnoods

The tool can be had for under $5 from bunnings. when i used to lock myself out of the flat, i could get one from bunnings and get in via a security screen.

But the chances of someone having a torx bit is alot more remote than a screwdriver. Tamper Proof Screws are common with security screens nowadays too.

The ones I bought are not torx... the screw head is modified so that a standard screwdriver can tighten the screw, but the opposite ends of the screw head are cut away so there is nothing for the screwdriver to push against when trying to loosen it - something like the attached pic.

BeStRaFe · 28-10-2008, 01:14 PM

i got my security screws for 3$ for 6 from bunnings,
and i have numberplate covers on also

schnoods · 28-10-2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by balthazarr

The ones I bought are not torx... the screw head is modified so that a standard screwdriver can tighten the screw, but the opposite ends of the screw head are cut away so there is nothing for the screwdriver to push against when trying to loosen it - something like the attached pic.

Oh i see the type. Now thats a ripper idea.

Definately the best bet, unless someone has a hammer and chisel on them.

balthazarr · 28-10-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schnoods

Oh i see the type. Now thats a ripper idea.

Definately the best bet, unless someone has a hammer and chisel on them.

He heh.. well, hopefully that's where the alarm shock sensor comes in.

geckoGT · 28-10-2008, 01:36 PM

I imgaine some security torx screws would work just as well. I think if some one was going to steal plates to do something illegal they would choose standard plates, less conspicuous. I bet somone that steals personalised plates is more interested in bed room wall decoration.

I wonder if the cost of the plates is covered by insurance, I suppose it is.

XR6WGN · 28-10-2008, 01:39 PM

Those one way screws might work ok on a sedan but on my wagon, if you need to remove the plastic panel that the plate attaches to you need to first remove the number plate to get to one bolt - I like the idea of torx head bolts though.

blackers10 · 28-10-2008, 01:40 PM

you can just pull/fold a numberplate UPWARDS which will promptly tear the tin metal away and allow you to run off with said numberplate...
i saw a police man do it to an unrego'd car once...just pulled it and it bend and tore the hole big enough for the screw to slip out

security screws are available from any fastener shop (coventry fasteners had them when i worked there)
another better option is a break off screw/bolt... it uses an hourglass shape that once done up you can snap the end off so its completely smooth

**Full Noise** · 28-10-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by balthazarr

I've ordered a set of personalised plates for my new car, and was wondering what the story is if the plates are stolen?

Obviously, if you have standard-issue plates, they can withdraw them and issue a different set. If your personalised plates are stolen, does that mean you lose the rights to your plates?

What type of car are they going on? If it has plastic bumpers, cut a small piece of steel plate and locate it behind the inside of the bumper and rivet the things on.

I doubt that an opportunistic thief would carry a cordless drill around with him.