Registration: YOUR REG
Front Plate: Standard Oblong (20.4" X 4.3")
Rear Plate: Standard Oblong (20.4" X 4.3")
Flag: No flag
Border: No Border
Border Style: Markings Inside Border
Border Colour: Black
Character Type: Printed
4D number plates are the latest innovation in the number plate industry, offering a unique, affordable, and stylish way to display your vehicle's registration number. Unlike traditional printed plates, 4D plates feature raised characters, which gives them a distinctive three-dimensional appearance. They are made from high-quality acrylic and are not only visually appealing, but also durable and resistant to weather conditions. We have a detailed article introducing the 4D style here.
One common question about 4D plates is whether they are road legal. 4D number plates are 100% road legal and compliant to DVLA regulations. This includes the correct font size, colour, and character spacing requirements. At SurePlates, all our 4D plates are made in accordance with the rules and regulations, ensuring you stay on the right side of the law.
The creation of 4D reg plates involves a precise and meticulous process. A reflective backing film is first applied to a blank acrylic plate. Then the characters are laser cut from acrylic sheets to within an accuracy of one-tenth of a millimetre and are bonded to the number plate using a very precise jig to position them with proper alignment and spacing. This ensures long-lasting and durable plates that comply with the rules, giving a true “4D” raised effect.
At SurePlates, we offer a variety of 4D number plates to suit your style. Whether you prefer the classic 3mm 4D design or want to go a little thicker with 5mm 4D, we've got you covered. 4D digits can be combined with gel to make 4D gel number plates as well. You can also choose from a variety of other customisations including various border and flag options for a truly unique plate.
While 4D plates are a premium product, that doesn't mean they have to break the bank. At SurePlates, we believe in offering high-quality 4D plates at fair and affordable prices. We achieve this by manufacturing our own digits and plates in-house, cutting out the middlemen and passing the savings on to you. We manufacture our own characters and acrylic plates so you can enjoy the luxury of 4D plates without the hefty price tag. So, if you're thinking of buying some 4D plates, consider buying from SurePlates.
Customisation is at the heart of what we do at SurePlates. We offer a wide range of options and configurations to make your 4D plates truly your own. Choose from different font styles, border colours, flags, and various options to match your vehicle and personal style. Our easy-to-use plate builder allows you to design your plates exactly how you want them, while guaranteeing to stay within the limits of the rules, giving you a unique and personalised product. Checkout our infographic for a more visual guide to 4D reg plates.
Both 4D and 3D plates offer a raised effect, but there are some key differences. 4D plates use laser-cut acrylic for the characters, giving a sharp and more defined look. On the other hand, the term “3D plates” has traditionally been used to refer to 3D gel plates, which are made of gel doming resin (like gel stickers or badges). Both styles are modern and sleek, but 4D plates offer a more premium and distinctive look. We have a detailed guide on the differences between 3D, 4D, Gel, and 4D gel styles here.
It is important to also note that both 4D and 3D plates are compliant to the British standard (BS AU 145e) and the laws in place for number plates.
Gel number plates are available if that's what you're looking for. Alternatively, if you just need some replacement number plates, we've got you covered there too.
After you've installed your 4D license plates, ensuring proper maintenance is essential. Due to the high-quality materials we use, they are highly resistant to most weathering such as very hot or very cold spells, and even rapid changes from hot and cold. However, to keep them looking their best, regularly caring for your plates with warm soapy water is recommended. You can pressure wash them as well just don't hold a high-powered pressure washer on your 4D digits for too long. A quick blast will do!
Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that could scratch or damage the acrylic, such as isopropyl alcohol which is damaging to acrylic.
The popularity of 4D plates is on the rise still, and we expect the trend to continue. As more people look to personalise their vehicles and stand out a little, 4D plates can offer a unique and stylish solution to that problem. With advancements in our manufacturing techniques, we expect to be able to reduce prices in the future. We also plan to implement a 4D show plate builder that will support many more personalisations and customisations as name plates and signs don't need to follow any rules.
Choosing 4D plates for your vehicle is a statement of style and individuality. They offer a premium and modern look that sets your vehicle apart. Beyond just the aesthetics, 4D plates are highly durable, easy to maintain, and fully compliant with DVLA regulations. At SurePlates, we offer high-quality, affordable 4D plates with a wide range of customisation options, making us the perfect choice for your 4D plate needs.
Build your 4D plates online now. Use our plate builder above to create a unique and personalised plate suited to your style and car.
If you'd like any help using our plate builder, we have a detailed guide on how to use our 4D plate builder here.
Orders placed before 3 pm are despatched the same day (Mon-Fri). Delivery depends on which shipping method you use on checkout. Delivery is typically 1-2 working days by Royal Mail.
There is a document check in-line with regulations. Proof of registration and identity are required with your purchase.
Number plates are regulated so customisation is limited. Our builder will allow you to customise all the available options as much as they can be customised and personalised.
In-line with regulations, the spacing or your registration number must comply with the legal requirements. We will automatically space your registration to road legal requirements.
Tinted plates are not road legal as they reduce luminance and reflectivity, so are not available.
We currently offer the standard UK oblong, 4x4 square, and oversized oblong.
These can be combined with gel to make 4D gel plates
Number plates are regulated by The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001.
This statutory instrument isn’t very long, and the regulations for the characters aren’t very detailed either. The rules simply say the characters must be black.
Where the registration mark is displayed on the front of the vehicle, it must have black characters on a white background.
Where the registration mark is displayed on the back of the vehicle, it must have black characters on a yellow background.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2001/561/schedule/2/made
In the above regulations, compliance with the current British standard is required. The British standard is a specification for the technical requirements of a number plate. Things like how reflective they should be, luminance levels for characters, resistance to bending/heat/cold, etc. Mostly boring stuff.
However, the wording of the standard is equally simple when it comes to characters. Section 5.2 Characters says:
The complete surface of each registration character shall be one shade of black
BS AU 145e:2018 5.2 Characters, 5.2.2
There are some other requirements for characters. These include the following:
Provided a typical set of 4D plates complies with these other rules, the answer seems straight forward.
4D plates meet the regulations, and are therefore road legal.
Yes, ANPR cameras can read 4D number plates. ANPR means Automatic Number Plate Recognition. An ANPR system combines a camera with software to ‘automatically’ read your number plate and do something with the data.
Any camera can become an ANPR camera, and ANPR systems are not standardised.
Most cameras used in public ANPR systems (such as speed cameras or bus lane cameras) have both daytime and night time (infrared) modes for 24/7 monitoring.
Companies & organisations are free to implement their own ANPR systems or use readily available ones, so it’s difficult to get a clear understanding of why some may not be reading 4D digits.
Car park cameras are sometimes mounted at severe angles, which could in theory make it more difficult to read a number if the software is calibrated for printed digits.
We have conducted our own extensive testing using off-the-shelf ANPR software with standard, basic cameras and found 4D number plates to be as readable as standard printed plates. We’re going to publish these results soon.
Applicable for all plate styles - printed, 4D, gel, and 4D gel.
