Number Plate Law Explained

Number Plate Law Explained

Legal Number Plates – Everything You Need to Know (UK Law 2025)

If you are buying replacement number plates or designing a new set online, it is essential that your plates comply with DVLA regulations and meet the latest British Standard requirements. This page explains the legal rules for UK number plates, including spacing, materials, fonts, and identifiers.

What Makes a Number Plate Legal in the UK?

To be fully road-legal, number plates must comply with the following:

1. Correct Material and Reflective Standard

UK number plates must be made from reflective material and must meet BS AU 145e, the current British Standard for durability, reflection, and impact resistance.

All MUZZPLATE road-legal plates fully comply with BS AU 145e.

2. Legal Font (Charles Wright)

All UK number plates must use the Charles Wright typeface.
This means:

  • No custom fonts
  • No altered character shapes
  • No italic, 3D stylised, or script fonts
  • Gel, 3D, and 4D plates are permitted ONLY if the characters follow the exact dimensions of the legal font

MUZZPLATE 3D/4D characters are fully compliant with DVLA standards.

3. Correct Spacing

Spacing must match the format shown on the vehicle’s V5C logbook.

Example:
Correct: AB12 CDE
Incorrect: A B12CDE, AB 12CDE, AB12C D E, AB12CDE

Incorrectly spaced plates are illegal and may result in:

  • MOT failure
  • A police fine of up to £1,000
  • Registration withdrawal (DVLA can permanently revoke the plate)

4. No Decorative Backgrounds

Number plates must have a plain reflective surface.
You cannot legally add:

  • Colours
  • Patterns
  • Images
  • Carbon fibre backgrounds (for road use)

Show plates may include these but are not road-legal.

5. Legal Markings (Mandatory for Road Use)

Road-legal plates must display:

  • Plate supplier/trading name
  • Supplier postcode
  • British Standard code (BS AU 145e)

These markings appear in small text in the lower corner.

You can remove Legal Details only when purchasing show plates.

6. Flags and Identifiers (Optional)

You may use:

  • Union Flag
  • Cross of St George
  • Saltire
  • Red Dragon of Wales
  • UK identifier

Brexit rules now require UK (not “GB”) if you intend to drive abroad.

7. Electric Vehicle Identifier (Optional)

Cars may display a green EV flash.
This is optional, not required.

Are 3D, 4D, Gel, or Raised-Letter Plates Legal?

Yes — as long as they follow all DVLA regulations.

MUZZPLATE 3D Gel, 4D, Ghost, Shadow and Hi-Line plates are all manufactured to legal specification unless you choose a show plate option.

Are Tinted Plates Legal?

No.
Tinted plates are against DVLA rules and are not road-legal.

Are Shortened Plates Legal?

Yes, provided the plate:

  • Still displays legal-sized characters
  • Has adequate margin space
  • Is the correct size for the registration

We offer fully compliant shortened plates for legal use.

Are Hex, Shaped, and Custom-Cut Plates Legal?

Hex and custom-shaped plates are legal for road use if all the spacing, font, margins and dimensions remain compliant.

We offer legal Hex plates AND show-only shaped plates for customers wanting a more aggressive style.

Why Choose MUZZPLATE for Legal Number Plates?

  • Fully DVLA-registered supplier (Reg: 74420)
  • Fully compliant BS AU 145e materials
  • Premium acrylic and reflective materials
  • Legal fonts, spacing and character sizes