AFTER 1
SEPTEMBER 2001
Number plates fitted after 1
September 2001 must display characters that meet the dimensions
shown below.
|
Characters |
|
|
Height |
79mm
|
|
Width
(except the figure 1 or letter l) |
50mm
|
|
Stroke |
14mm |
|
Space
between characters |
11mm
|
|
Space
between groups |
33mm
|
|
Top,
bottom and side margins (minimum) |
11mm
|
|
Space
between vertical lines |
19mm
|
|
|
|
Number
plates fitted before 1 September 2001 must display
characters that meet the dimensions shown in one of the two
groups below
|
Characters |
Group 1 |
Group 2 |
|
Height
|
89mm
|
79mm
|
|
Width
(except the figure 1or letter l) |
64mm
|
57mm
|
|
Stroke |
16mm
|
14mm
|
|
Space
between characters |
13mm
|
11mm
|
|
Space
between groups |
38mm
|
33mm
|
|
Side
margins (minimum) |
13mm
|
11mm
|
|
Space
between vertical lines |
19mm
|
19mm
|
|
|
MANDATORY
CHARACTER FONT
From 1 September 2001 all new number plates
must display the new mandatory font. Combined with the new
format registration mark, number plates will become clearer and
easier to remember.
Number plates fitted before 1 September 2001
need not be changed provided the character font used is
substantially the same as the one shown above.
Number plates must be replaced if they have
been customised with:
Stylised letters and/or figures such as
italics Number plate fixing bolts that alter the appearance of
the letters and/or numbers
|
|
|
Do I have to change my
number plate if it is cracked or broken?
If the number plate is damaged in such a way that it makes the
registration mark difficult to read it does need to be replaced
|
|
|
MOTORCYCLES AND TRICYCLES
All motorcycles and tricycles
must display a number plate at the rear of the vehicle.
Motorcycles and tricycles registered before 1.9.2001 can
display a number plate at the front of the vehicle but are not
required to. If you have a two or three wheeled motor cycle or
tricycle that has a body type of a four-wheeled vehicle, you
MUST display a number plate at the front and back of the
vehicle. The characters may be smaller e.g.
|
Character Height |
64mm
|
|
Character Width |
44mm
|
|
Character Stroke |
10mm
|
|
Space
between characters |
10mm
|
|
Space
between groups |
30mm
|
|
Top,
side & bottom margin |
11mm
|
|
Space
between vertical lines |
13mm |
|
|
|
The British
Standard sets out the physical characteristics on the number
plate. This includes:
Visibility
Strength Reflectivity
The British
Standard also requires that a number plate must be marked with
the following information: The British Standard Number
(currently BS AU 145d) The name, trade mark, or other means of
identification of the manufacturer or component supplier. (The
company who actually make the number plate.) The name and
postcode of the supplying outlet. (The 'supplying outlet' is
taken to mean a company whose business consists wholly or
partly of selling number plates.) A non-reflective border and
the Euro-symbol with the national identification letters are
optional additions. There shall be no other markings or
material contained on the number plate.
|
|
click on text above to got
the DVLA web site
|
Are 3D characters allowed?
Registration numbers and letters must be black and non -
reflectable. 3D characters are allowed provided the
number plate complies with the British Standard specification (BS AU
145d). |
|
Is a honeycombed
or other background pattern permitted?
No, overprinting including honeycomb or other background designs
are not allowed.
Are stick-on number plates legal?
No, number plates must meet the British Standard requirements
and we are not aware of any self-adhesive number plates that are
able to meet these requirements.
|
|
|
TRADITIONAL NUMBER PLATES
Vehicles constructed before 1.1.73 may
display traditional style "black and white" plates i.e. white,
silver or grey characters on a black plate. Lettering must be
of a set size. It must conform to one of the two groups below.
|
Characters |
Group 1 |
Group 2 |
|
Height
|
89mm
|
79mm
|
|
Width
(except the number 1) |
64mm
|
57mm |
|
Stroke |
16mm
|
14mm
|
|
Side
margin |
25mm
|
11mm
|
|
Top &
bottom margin |
13mm
|
11mm
|
|
Space
between characters |
13mm
|
11mm
|
|
Space
between groups |
38mm
|
33mm
|
|
Display of Vehicle Registration Marks on Imported Vehicles
(which have a restricted space for a standard sized number
plate)
Certain imported vehicles may
be permitted to display number plates with smaller characters
if:
The vehicle does not have
European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval
and The vehicle's construction/design cannot accommodate standard
size number plates
Specifications for smaller sized plates
(for
certain imported vehicles)
|
Character
Height |
64mm
|
|
Character
Width |
44mm
|
|
Character
Stroke |
10mm
|
|
Space
between characters |
10mm
|
|
|
|
THE EURO PLATE
Since 1st September 2001
there has been an optional provision for the display of a
Euro-plate for vehicles registered in the UK. The Euro-plate
is a number plate that incorporates the symbol of the European
Union (a circle of 12 stars on a blue background) with the
national identification letters of the member states below.
This symbol is located on the far left-hand side of the number
plate.
Vehicles displaying this
symbol no longer have to use the traditional oval shaped
national identifier (GB) sticker when travelling within the
European Union.
All vehicles registered in
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have, by
international convention, the distinguishing sign GB.
The Government announced on
28 December 2001 the intention to permit the display of
national flags and national identifiers on vehicle number
plates. The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks)
Regulations 2001 are in the process of being amended. They
will provide for the voluntary display of the Union flag,
Scottish Saltire, Cross of St George and Red Dragon.
Football team crests etc are not allowed. |
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