UK Display Requirements for Number Plates
Cars registered before January 1973
Example (uncommon font):
Cars first registered before this point may have white on black or black on white, the so-called traditional number plates.
These plates are generally made by pressed metal or plastic digits attached to a metal plate.
These cars may also use the current style of number plates, if desired.
Character size rules (group 1): 89mm width by 64mm height, stroke 16mm, char space 13mm, group space 38mm, side margins (min) 13mm
Character size rules (group 2): 79mm width by 57mm height, stroke 14mm, char space 11mm, group space 33mm, side margins (min) 11mm
Both groups: Space between lines 19mm
Number plates fitted between 1973 until September 2001
Example (using 2001 font):
No specific font but styling of characters is not permitted.
Plates can be square or rectangular.
Front plate must be white background, rear plate must be yellow background. Both plates must be relective.
Cars of this age aquiring new number plates will now have to use the post 2001 style.
Number plates fitted after September 2001
Example:
New Character size rules: 79mm by 50mm, stroke of 14mm. Gap is 11mm and the space between sections is 33mm.
Top and bottom margins must be 11mm and the space between vertical lines must be 19mm.
The font used must be the Charles Wright font.
Using a regional flag (the Union flag, Scottish Saltire, Cross of St George or Red Dragon) or the GB symbol with the EU emblem is
optional on post-September 2001 number plates. It is for this reason that the character width was reduced to a standard 50mm.
If using the GB symbol, the old oval GB sticker is no longer required for journeys within the EU.
Example Euro Plate:
Character Height 64mm, width 44mm, stroke 10mm, space between chars 10mm.
Must display number plate at rear of vehicle using 2 or 3 lines, bikes built up to September 2001 may optionally display a front number plate.
After this date you may not display a front number plate and the rear number plate must be made up of two lines.
Character Height 64mm, width 44mm, stroke 10mm, space between chars 10mm, space between groups 30mm, margins 11mm, space between lines 13mm.
Enforcement of standards is now done via a DVLA approval scheme in England and Wales.
To obtain a number plate you must supply ID such as a photocard driving licence. You must also prove that you own the car
by presenting a V5, V750, V778, V11 or V948 DVLA form.
It is the number plates suppliers legal obligation to keep records of new number plates produced. See: http://www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/rnps.htm
See also: DVLA Regmarks info
The specifications for number plates must comply with British Standard BS AU 145d.
Technically, stick on number plates cannot comply with BS AU 145d so are therefore illegal. Where this leaves certain sports cars that
have no provision for any other kind of plate (Jaguar E-type a classic example) is uncertain.
Non-reflective borders are optional.
Failure to comply with these laws can result in fines, MOT failures or even the withdrawal of the registration mark.
Other number plates in different colours or fonts may be created for show purposes only.
Note: examples do not apply exact character position rules and are just for indicative purposes.
All material (except tabulated data) is copyright 1999-2005 Peter Richardson.
You are free to copy and use tabulated data from here for your own purposes, other material remains copyright of the author and may not be reproduced in any form, except for fair use personal copies and academic purposes.
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