ROAD LEGAL NUMBER PLATE LEGISLATION
 

The current legislation for number plates came into law on September 1st 2001. The British Standard Mark BS AU 145d was introduced, this ensures that the components of a number plate meet high standards of quality. The new legislation also requires that the name and postcode of the number plate maker is displayed in the bottom centre of the number plates along with the new British Standard Mark in the bottom right of the number plates.

legal number plate



DVLA Legislation


DVLA legislation states that all motor vehicles (except motorcycles) display a number plate to the front & rear of the vehicle. The number plates must be clear to read, not obscured and must display the British Standard Mark. The number plates should have a reflective background,  the digits should be non reflective and must meet the following size restrictions :-

Height -                                       79mm

Width  -                                        50mm

Gap between Characters - 11mm

Gap between Groups -         33mm

For motorcycles legislation states a rear number plate must be displayed, if you have a three wheeled motorcycle with a body of a four wheeled vehicle or have a quad bike then you must also display a front number plate. The digits should meet the following size restrictions :-

Height -                                       66mm

Width  -                                        44mm

Gap between Characters - 10mm

Gap between Groups -         30mm

Motorcycles registered on or after 1st September 2001 must display a 2-line number plate, motorcycles registered before this date may display a 3-line number plate. PLEASE NOTE 1 LINE NUMBER PLATES ARE ILLEGAL FOR MOTORCYCLES IRRESPECTIVE OF DATE OF REGISTRATION.

 

THE LAW

The Law states that you MUST not alter, rearrange or misrepresent the characters on the number plate. This includes placing number plate fixings e.g. screws to change the look of a character.

In order for number plates to be made a customer must provide proof of entitlement of the required number plate along with proof of identity and  address.

One document from both categories must be provided :-

Proof of Identity

  • A valid driving licence (preferred)
  • Bank or Building Society statement
  • Current utility bill
  • Credit/Debit card
  • Current passport
  • Police warrant card
  • Foreign national identity card
  • Armed forces identity card

Proof of Entitlement

  • Registration Document - V5C (preferred)
  • Certificate of Entitlement to a Mark - V750
  • Cherished Transfer Retention Certificate - V778
  • Vehicle Licence Renewal - V11
  • Stamped Authorisation Certificate from DVLA -  V948
  • Certificate of Vehicle Registration - V379
  • A letter of Authority from fleet operators (including lease/hire company) on headed company note paper with contact details stating that the company holds the V5 quoting the document reference or VIN

ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE ORIGINALS - COPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED