I was intrigued by somebodys post on another caravan forum and thought I would ask the brains trust here:-
The OP posted a photo of their bike rack on the back of their caravan. The photo showed that they had removed the NSW number plate from their caravan and attached it to the bike rack. Discussion then commenced as to whether such practice is legal. It was suggested that the owner should apply for a NSW auxiliary number plate and leave the original plate on the van. The owner replied that NSW auxiliary number plates are not available for trailers and caravans. I have google that and found it correct.
my curiosity is because I have followed many a caravan with the number plate obscured by bicycles and wondered what number plate should be hung off the back of the bike rack. Is a NSW auxillary number plate for the towing vehicle acceptable? Is repositioning the caravan number plate to the bike rack acceptable? If so you then have legal issues with lighting, even in daylight. Do you reposition the number plate on the caravan so it can be seeN? But there are issues (NSW) about the height of and position of the number plate. There are also issues with brake lights etc, but that is another story.....or do you just leave the bikes at home?
Mamil said
07:53 PM Oct 28, 2021
Interesting question, but I can only offer an insight on what the situation is in WA, not NSW.
Here in WA you can get an auxiliary rego plate for a trailer (including caravan) and so the rules are exactly the same as for the tow vehicle, ie the original rego plate must stay PERMANENTLY attached to the vehicle in question, and if it is obscured by something on the rear, then that object must have an auxiliary plate.
You'll notice I also have another set of lights on the bike rack because the bike also obscures the originals, but as you say that's another story...
.
-- Edited by Mamil on Thursday 28th of October 2021 07:57:41 PM
Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2017 [NSW], Clause 22: . . . (4) An auxiliary number-plate must not be displayed unless the rear number-plate of the motor vehicle for which it is issued is obscured by
(a) an apparatus attached to the motor vehicle for use in transporting a bicycle, personal mobility device or motor bike, or
(b) a trailer or caravan being towed by the motor vehicle, but only if the number-plate of the trailer or caravan is obstructed by an apparatus attached to the trailer or caravan for use in transporting a bicycle or personal mobility device,
Ken
-- Edited by kgarnett on Thursday 28th of October 2021 08:53:40 PM
PeterInSa said
09:20 PM Oct 28, 2021
SA has smaller Rego plates for Bike racks about 1/3 the size, you also need a number plate light.
ConsumerMan said
09:24 PM Oct 28, 2021
OK, that seems to be quite clear. If the caravan number plate is obscured by the bike rack you attach an auxiliary plate for the tow vehicle. Cheers, thanks.
dabbler said
10:10 PM Oct 28, 2021
Each state is different in how an obscured number plate should be handled. Check your own state.
peatop said
04:53 AM Oct 29, 2021
I often carry my kayak on the roof racks and to get it on them I use a T loader this obscures the number plate somewhat, so when I went to northern NSW I removed the number plate from the car and attached it to the T loader, over the 6 weeks in NSW I never had any issues.
Wizardofoz said
07:49 AM Oct 29, 2021
peatop wrote:
I often carry my kayak on the roof racks and to get it on them I use a T loader this obscures the number plate somewhat, so when I went to northern NSW I removed the number plate from the car and attached it to the T loader, over the 6 weeks in NSW I never had any issues.
That's not to say it was legal or otherwise, it's just a case of nobody questioning it?
Possum3 said
08:41 AM Oct 29, 2021
In NSW, If driving with a bike rack on your vehicle that obscures your number plate, an auxiliary plate is needed.
It is commonly thought that displaying a handwritten number plate is enough, however this is illegal. A clearly displayed handwritten number plate can still incur a fine and a loss of demerit points. Number plates and tail lights need to be clearly visible. Therefore, a light board may be needed as well.
I often carry my kayak on the roof racks and to get it on them I use a T loader this obscures the number plate somewhat, so when I went to northern NSW I removed the number plate from the car and attached it to the T loader, over the 6 weeks in NSW I never had any issues.
I guess it depends on what mood the copper is in that is following you.
I was intrigued by somebodys post on another caravan forum and thought I would ask the brains trust here:-
The OP posted a photo of their bike rack on the back of their caravan. The photo showed that they had removed the NSW number plate from their caravan and attached it to the bike rack. Discussion then commenced as to whether such practice is legal. It was suggested that the owner should apply for a NSW auxiliary number plate and leave the original plate on the van. The owner replied that NSW auxiliary number plates are not available for trailers and caravans. I have google that and found it correct.
my curiosity is because I have followed many a caravan with the number plate obscured by bicycles and wondered what number plate should be hung off the back of the bike rack. Is a NSW auxillary number plate for the towing vehicle acceptable? Is repositioning the caravan number plate to the bike rack acceptable? If so you then have legal issues with lighting, even in daylight. Do you reposition the number plate on the caravan so it can be seeN? But there are issues (NSW) about the height of and position of the number plate. There are also issues with brake lights etc, but that is another story.....or do you just leave the bikes at home?
Interesting question, but I can only offer an insight on what the situation is in WA, not NSW.
Here in WA you can get an auxiliary rego plate for a trailer (including caravan) and so the rules are exactly the same as for the tow vehicle, ie the original rego plate must stay PERMANENTLY attached to the vehicle in question, and if it is obscured by something on the rear, then that object must have an auxiliary plate.
You'll notice I also have another set of lights on the bike rack because the bike also obscures the originals, but as you say that's another story...
-- Edited by Mamil on Thursday 28th of October 2021 07:57:41 PM
Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2017 [NSW], Clause 22:
.
.
.
(4) An auxiliary number-plate must not be displayed unless the rear number-plate of the motor vehicle for which it is issued is obscured by
(a) an apparatus attached to the motor vehicle for use in transporting a bicycle, personal mobility device or motor bike, or
(b) a trailer or caravan being towed by the motor vehicle, but only if the number-plate of the trailer or caravan is obstructed by an apparatus attached to the trailer or caravan for use in
transporting a bicycle or personal mobility device,
Ken
-- Edited by kgarnett on Thursday 28th of October 2021 08:53:40 PM
I often carry my kayak on the roof racks and to get it on them I use a T loader this obscures the number plate somewhat, so when I went to northern NSW I removed the number plate from the car and attached it to the T loader, over the 6 weeks in NSW I never had any issues.
That's not to say it was legal or otherwise, it's just a case of nobody questioning it?
It is commonly thought that displaying a handwritten number plate is enough, however this is illegal. A clearly displayed handwritten number plate can still incur a fine and a loss of demerit points. Number plates and tail lights need to be clearly visible. Therefore, a light board may be needed as well.
www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/order-auxiliary-plates
bicyclensw.org.au/auxiliary-plates/
I guess it depends on what mood the copper is in that is following you.