Number Plate Law

Law and guidance for the display of UK Number Plates

See also: Rules for the transfer, assignment and retention of UK registration marks

Return to: Number Plate Display Main Page

Sections:

• Number plates FITTED AFTER 1st September 2001
• Number Plates FITTED BETWEEN 1st January 1973 and 1st September 2001
• Vehicles constructed before the 1st January 1973
• Concession for Imported Vehicles
• Motorcycles and Tricycles
• The use of the Euro-symbol and national flags
• The British Standard
• General Number Plate Law
• Documents needed to endorse the making of number plates

The British Standard

The British Standard sets out the physical characteristics of the number plate. This includes visibility, strength and reflectivity. The British Standard also requires each number plate to be permanently and legibly marked with the following information:

• The British Standard number (currently BS AU 145d).
• The name, trademark or other means of identification of the number plate supplier.
• Name and postcode of the supplying outlet.
• A non-reflective border and the Euro-symbol / national flags with the national identification letters being optional additions.
• There shall be no other markings or material contained on the number plate.

The mandatory character font. All number plates made on or after 1st September 2001 must display the mandatory character font. Number plates fitted before 1st September 2001 need not be changed provided the character font used is very similar to the one shown below. An example of the typeface is shown here;

Return to: Number Plate Display Main Page