Number plates are an important part of every vehicle on UK roads. They help identify your vehicle and make sure it’s legal to drive. While number plates might seem simple, there are actually a lot of rules and regulations around them.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about number plates in the UK. We’ll talk about the different styles of plates, the rules for motorcycles and trailers, and what happens if you don’t follow the regulations.
Whether you’re a new driver or have been on the road for years, it’s important to understand the rules around number plates. By the end of this guide, you’ll be an expert on everything from plate sizes to personalisation options.
Number Plate Basics
If you drive a vehicle in the UK, it’s important to know the basic rules about number plates. These are the black and white (front) or black and yellow (rear) plates that display your vehicle’s unique registration number.
Here are the key things every driver should know:
- Display front and rear plates: Most vehicles must have number plates on both the front and back. There are some exceptions for motorcycles and motor tricycles, which we’ll cover later.
- Keep plates clean and visible: Always make sure your number plates are easy to read and not covered by dirt or anything else.
- Use the right colours: On the front plate, the background must be white with black letters and numbers. On the rear plate, it’s a yellow background with black text.
- Stick to the standard: Number plates must meet the official British Standard. This means using the correct size, font, and spacing for the letters and numbers.
- Show who supplied the plate: By law, number plates must show the name and postcode of the company that made them. Suppliers have to register with DVLA.
- Show the British Standard: Number plates must show the name of the company who made the components next to the British Standard.
- No fancy backgrounds: Number plates can’t have patterns or images on the background.
- Avoid removable or reflective characters: The letters and numbers on your plate must be permanently fixed – no removable or reflective characters allowed.
Remember, if your number plates don’t follow these basic rules, you could face a fine. So, it’s important to make sure your plates are legal and in good condition at all times. If you’re ever unsure, check with a professional or consult the official government guidelines.
Understanding Plate Formats
UK number plates come in different formats. The format tells you the age of the vehicle. The most common format is the current style.
The current style starts with two letters, followed by two numbers, and then three more letters. For example, “AB12 CDE” is a current style plate. These plates have been issued since 2001.
Prefix style plates were used from 1983 to 2001. They have a single letter at the start, followed by up to three numbers, and then three letters. An example would be “A123 BCD”. The letter at the start tells you the year the vehicle was registered.
Suffix style plates came before prefix plates, from 1963 to 1983. They have the letters at the end, after the numbers. For instance, “ABC 123D” is a suffix plate. The letter at the end shows the year of registration.
Even older plates are called dateless plates. These have multiple formats like “ABC 123” or “A1 BCD”. They were issued before 1963 and don’t have a year identifier.
Size and Spacing
Number plates have specific rules about size, spacing, and margins to ensure they are easily readable. These rules are slightly different for motorcycles and tricycles compared to other vehicles.
For most vehicles, the height of the characters must be 79 mm. The width of each character is 50 mm, except for the number “1” or letter “I” which are 14 mm.
On a motorcycle or tricycle plate, characters are a bit smaller. They must be 64 mm tall and 44 mm wide, except for the number “1” or letter “I” which are 10 mm.
The stroke width (the thickness of each line making up a character) also matters. On car plates, the stroke should be 14 mm thick, while on motorcycle plates, it should be 10 mm.
Spacing between characters is also key. For cars, there should be 11 mm between characters in the same group and 33 mm between different groups. On motorcycles, these spaces are a bit smaller at 10 mm within a group and a vertical space of 13 mm between groups.
Margins (the space between characters and the edge of the plate) must be at least 11 mm on all sides for cars and motorcycles to ensure clear visibility. The plate itself can be any size at all.
The exact size and spacing rules are set by the regulations and the British Standard (BS AU 145e). It’s crucial to get plates from a registered supplier who follows these standards. Plates that don’t meet these specifications could result in fines, so it’s important to ensure your vehicle’s plates comply with all the regulations.
Illumination Rules
For number plates to be easily seen at night and on infrared cameras, they need to be properly lit. This is where illumination rules come in. This light should be strong enough to make the plate readable from a distance of 18 metres at night.
The light must shine directly on the plate, not at an angle. It should evenly illuminate the whole plate, without any dark spots or shadows. The goal is to make the plate just as easy to read at night as it is during the day.
Properly illuminated number plates are essential for Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems, which are used by law enforcement and other agencies to scan and read number plates. For more information on how ANPR systems work, check out our article on what ANPR systems are and how they scan your number plates.
The front plate doesn’t need its own light, but it still must be made of a reflective material. This means that when headlights shine on it, the plate will reflect the light and be clearly visible.
The plate itself should not have any kind of covering or coating that could affect the light and make the characters harder to distinguish.
If a vehicle’s number plate lights don’t work properly, or if the plate is obscured by dirt or reflections, the driver could face penalties. It’s a good idea to regularly check that your vehicle’s plate lights are clean and functioning correctly. This simple step helps ensure that your plates are always readable, day and night.
Materials and Construction
Number plates must be made from specific materials to ensure they are durable and reflective. The rules for materials and construction help make sure plates are clear and easy to read.
Plates need to be made from a retro-reflective material. This means they bounce light back to the light source, making them more visible, especially at night. The material should meet the British Standard for number plates (BS AU 145e).
The background of the plate must be white at the front and yellow at the back. The letters and numbers have to be black. These colours provide the best contrast, making the characters stand out.
The plate should have a smooth surface, without any patterns or decorations in the background. It needs to be flat or almost flat. This ensures the plate can be read from different angles.
Some plates, known as 4D number plates, have raised characters that give a unique 3D effect. For more information on 4D number plates, visit our page on 4D number plates.
The plate must be marked with the name and postcode of the supplier, along with the British Standard number (BS AU 145e). This shows that the plate meets all the legal requirements.
The letters and numbers on the plate must be permanent. They can’t be removable or reflective. This prevents people from changing or obscuring the plate.
It’s important that plates are securely attached to the vehicle. They shouldn’t swing or hang loose. Plates that are damaged, hard to read, or in the wrong place could result in penalties for the driver.
When getting new plates, always use a registered supplier. They will make sure your plates are made from the right materials and meet all the construction standards. This way, you can be confident your vehicle is legal and roadworthy.
Personalisation Options
You can add a personal touch to your number plate by displaying a flag or identifier on the left side. However, you must follow some rules to keep your plate legal.
If you want to show a flag, you can choose from the Union Jack, Cross of St. George, St. Andrew’s Saltire (Cross of St. Andrew), or the Red Dragon of Wales. The flag must not be wider than 50 mm.
The country identifier can be displayed in various formats, as shown in the table below:
| Country | Identifier Options |
|---|---|
| England | ENG, Eng, ENGLAND, England |
| Wales | CYMRU, Cymru, CYM, Cym, WALES, Wales |
| Scotland | SCO, Sco, SCOTLAND, Scotland |
| United Kingdom | UK, UNITED KINGDOM, United Kingdom |
| Great Britain | GB, GREAT BRITAIN, Great Britain |
You can combine any flag with a country identifier from the “United Kingdom” or “Great Britain” categories. For example, you can display the Scottish flag (St. Andrew’s Saltire) with “UK”, “UNITED KINGDOM”, “GB”, or “GREAT BRITAIN” underneath it.
There is no distinct flag or country code for Northern Ireland.
You can add a border to your number plate as well. A border has to be no wider than 5 mm, and it must be displayed in a single, solid colour. It cannot be reflective or be made of a pattern.
By following these simple rules, you can personalise your plate while keeping it legal.
Rules for Older Vehicles
If you own an older vehicle, you might have different rules for your number plates. These rules depend on when your vehicle was first registered.
For vehicles registered before 1st January 1973, you have more options. You can use the old-style plates that were allowed at the time. These include plates with white, silver, or grey characters on a black background. You can also use newer styles of plates if you prefer.
No matter what style of plate you use, it’s important to make sure it’s in good condition and easy to read. If your plate is damaged, faded, or hard to see, you could face penalties.
Older vehicles have more flexibility when it comes to number plate designs. By keeping your plates in good shape and using the correct style, you can enjoy your classic car while staying legal on the road.
Motorcycle Requirements
Motorcycles have slightly different rules when it comes to number plates.
First, if your motorcycle was first registered on or after 1st September 2001, you only need to display a number plate at the rear of the vehicle. You don’t need a front plate. If your motorcycle was registered before this date, you can choose to have a front plate, but it’s not required.
When it comes to the size of motorcycle plates, they can be a bit smaller than car plates. The characters must be 64 mm tall and 44 mm wide, with a stroke width of 10 mm. The space between characters should be 10 mm, and the margins around the edges of the plate should be at least 11 mm.
Another key difference for motorcycle plates is the format. The characters can be displayed on two lines, rather than the single line used for car plates. This helps the plate fit better on the back of the motorcycle.
Just like with car plates, motorcycle plates need to be made from a reflective material and display black characters on a white background (for front plates) or black characters on a yellow background (for rear plates). The plates must be clearly visible and easy to read at all times.
Towing and Trailers
When you tow a trailer, you need to make sure it has a number plate. The rules are simple and easy to follow.
The trailer must show the same number plate as the vehicle that’s towing it. This helps identify which vehicle the trailer belongs to. If you’re towing more than one trailer, the plate goes on the trailer at the very back.
Make sure the number plate is clearly visible at the back of the trailer.
Some trailers need to be registered separately, especially if you’re taking them abroad. In this case, you’ll have a separate number plate for the trailer. Display this plate at the back of the trailer, in addition to the plate that matches your vehicle.
Breaking the Rules
If you don’t follow the rules for number plates, you could get in trouble. It’s important to make sure your plates are legal and in good condition.
One common mistake is having a dirty or hard-to-read plate. If your plate is covered in mud or the characters are faded, it might be hard for cameras to read it. This could lead to a fine, so keep your plates clean and clear.
Another issue is using the wrong size, font, or spacing on your plate. The rules are very specific about these details. If your plate doesn’t meet the requirements, it could be illegal. Always get your plates from a registered supplier to avoid this problem.
Some people might be tempted to change their number plate to make it look more interesting or personal. However, this is against the law. You can’t change the font, add icons or logos, or make the characters hard to read. Stick to the standard format to stay legal.
If your number plate is damaged, faded, or hard to read, you should replace it as soon as possible. For more information on getting replacement plates, visit our page on replacement number plates.
Finally, if your number plate light isn’t working, you could get pulled over. It’s your responsibility to make sure the plate is clearly lit at night. Check your lights regularly and replace any broken bulbs right away.
By following the rules and keeping your number plates in good shape, you can avoid penalties and stay safe on the road. If you’re ever unsure about the rules, just remember to keep it simple, clear, and easy to read.
In Summary
In this guide, we’ve covered all the key things you need to know about UK number plate rules and regulations. We’ve looked at the different styles of plates, the specific requirements for motorcycles and trailers, and the consequences of breaking the rules.
To sum it up, remember these key points:
- Make sure your number plates are the right size, font, and colour for your vehicle type and registration date.
- Keep your plates clean, clear, and easy to read at all times.
- If you’re towing a trailer, make sure it displays the same number plate as your vehicle (or its own registered plate if required).
- Motorcycles registered after September 2001 only need a rear plate.
- You can personalise your plate with a flag & national identifier and a border, but follow the size and positioning rules carefully.
- Older vehicles have different plate style options.
- Breaking the rules can lead to fines and penalties, so always make sure your plates are fully legal.
By following these simple guidelines, you can ensure your vehicle is properly registered, easily identifiable, and safe to drive on UK roads. Remember, if you’re ever unsure about the rules, refer back to this guide or check with an official source.
Number plates might seem like a small detail, but they play a big role in keeping our roads safe and organised. By taking the time to understand and follow the regulations, you’re doing your part to contribute to a better driving experience for everyone.
