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

General Number Plate Law

The law is quite clear on the display format of number plates and the following points should be observed:

• Number plate fixing bolts / screws that alter the appearance of any characters is not permitted.
• The letters or numbers must not be altered, rearranged or misrepresent in any way.
• Characters must not be moved between groups. For example J28 HTL must not be displayed as J2 8HTL or J28HT L.
• Generally, the mandatory character font must be used (or very similar) - no stylised characters in italics or otherwise are legal.
• For vehicles with new or replacement number plates fitted on or after 1st September 2001, "3-line" number plates are no longer permitted. The following example is not allowed;

Note that all number plate suppliers must be registered with the DVLA.

Offences may result in any or all of the following:

• The police can issue fixed penalty fines for number plates displayed illegally.
• The registration number may be withdrawn.
• The vehicle may fail the MOT test.

Return to: Number Plate Display Main Page