Number Plates

Where it all started for us so we like to think we are pretty knowledgeable in the area. So what is a Number Plate?

Obviously they are the things strapped to the front and rear of a vehicle but actually they are very important and have some very specific rules.

White and Yellow, Modern cars are required to have a White Front and Yellow Rear, Quite simply to distinguish between the front and rear of a car. It allows anyone to know what way the vehicle is facing.

The White and Yellow backing has to be reflective. The Black Characters are actually blocking the reflection so when you read a plate at night with a light shining on them you are actually seeing the plate and the characters are a "void' of light or a hole, making it stand out. It is for this reason that legally, the characters can not be reflective, they have to absorb light and must be all Black in colour and solid lettering.

Plate size is important but shape actually isn't. The Law requires at least 11mm of reflective backing between the edge of the plate and the edge of the character. Its to make sure that 'Void" has a border. So size of the plate as a minimum is actually set by the Registration length, Legal Font Style and Size and Legal lay out of the registration with the space in the right place. The Space is needs to be 33mm.

The Font and Font Size is set, cant be changed, doctored or amended. For those who find it interesting the Font is called 'Charles Wright' and with the exception of the number 1, All characters must be 50mm wide and 79mm high. There are some exceptions to these sizes, Namely Motorcycle Number Plates which are smaller over all.

There is no law or rules in regards to the depth/height off the plate of the Characters

and this is why 3D and 4D Plates are 100% Legal as long as they are the correct Font, Font Size, Colour and Non reflective.

Other Legal requirements are that the producer of the Number Plate must be stated, Their DVLA registered name and Post Code must be printed on the plate to allow traceability. Finally the Regulatory code must be printed in the bottom right corner, This is the current BSAU number and relates to the regulations the plate confirms too. The current regulation is BSAU 145e.

If the Plate doesn't comply to the above it will make it illegal with potential fines and should fail an MOT.

Added in there are some elements that can be added legally to a number plate. For Example the Left hand side can have a

• Green Flash for EV (owners preference and not a legal requirement but is illegal to put it on a non EV)

• GB and Flag

• UK and Flag

• Border ( as long as the 11mm spacing rule around the Characters is not broken).

Many people get this wrong but since Brexit the GB is actually not used for travel abroad and any new plate made will have to show UK for it to be used overseas.

The Term Show Plate refers to a Number Plate which doesn't conform to the laws and is intended to put on cars for display purpose.

It it also worth stressing for a Road Legal Plate to be produced the maker needs to record a form of ID and Proof of registration. Just to stop those individuals who want plates for naughty reasons.

So thats it in a nut shell, there are of course a few more rules but the best thing to do is to ask the question, If you want some more info just get in touch.

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