Where do you stick your Ps?

The worst thing about being a P plate driver is the P plates. Every day, I start my morning with two P plates securely fixed to my car beside my number plates, though most days I’m lucky if one of them makes it home in the same place and unbroken. 

I’m not sure why they disappear so often but what I do know is that I am regularly making trips to my local Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) outlet to pick up more. 

There are different ways to legally and securely display your P plates, though some of the more common options can cause damage to the paint on your car or aren’t even possible with the shape or materials of some vehicles. 

The magnetic option – which can be like rubbing two squares of your paint with sandpaper if it is dirty – was previously my choice until I purchased a new car with a plastic bumper where I was unable to attach them beside the number plate. 

And with the shape of some cars and more modern number plates, it can be difficult to attach a bracket holder without it chipping away at your paint with every bump. This might explain why some provisional drivers place their Ps in somewhat obscure positions.

RMS regulations state: “For Red P signs on cars, Clause 21 of the regulation states P plates must be clearly visible and not obscured when viewed from ahead of or behind the vehicle.  Signs must be on the exterior of the vehicle in a visible position at the front and the rear of the vehicle.”

We sent RMS images and received the following advice:

Tucked: “Illegal as all the P plate is not on display.”

Bonnet: “This sign is okay as it clearly displays the P sign on the front of the vehicle.”

Bracket: “All the P plate isn't displaying. The guidelines say the sign must be a red P on a white sign.”

Spoiler: “P sign could possibly be placed further down.”

Magnetic in bracket: "Ideal."

Obscured: "This P sign is not displayed clearly and does not comply with clause 21 of the Road Transport Driver Licencing regulations 2008.”

The fine itself is $320 and two demerit points and with even a low-level speeding fine, this could result in a loss of licence. 

It’s a big price to pay for being careless about P plate placement.