A Reminder for Drivers: Stay Informed About Recent Changes to Number Plate Regulations
Motorists are being strongly urged to inspect their vehicle’s number plates to eliminate the risk of facing hefty fines or failing their MOT test.
National Numbers, a leading provider of personalised registrations, has issued a warning to drivers, emphasizing the importance of having road legal number plates. This is particularly crucial if they purchased a new car or installed new plates after September 2021, when the regulations were modified.
The updated rules prohibit the use of number plates with printed 3D-style digits or those employing two-tone effects, including carbon fibre plates with black and grey lettering.
Under the new regulations, only number plates with solid black digits are permissible. This ensures a clear contrast between the background and the letters, enabling Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to accurately identify vehicles, even when they are moving at high speeds, day or night.
All newly produced number plates must adhere to the enhanced British Standard BS AU 145e, which replaced BS AU 145d two years ago. This change was implemented to address concerns regarding road safety and law enforcement.
Moreover, plates manufactured according to the new standard offer improved resistance against abrasion, protecting them from dirt, road grime, and high-pressure jet-washing, thus increasing their durability.
David Edwards, the operations director at National Numbers, the UK’s longest-running personalised registration dealer, expressed concern over the lack of awareness among some drivers regarding these requirements. He stressed that such ignorance puts them at risk of avoidable fines. Edwards stated, “Considering these regulations have been in effect since late 2021, it is unlikely that traffic police will be lenient towards those claiming ignorance after being stopped. Therefore, National Numbers strongly encourages all drivers to ensure their number plates comply with the law.”
Motorists who display number plates incorrectly may face fines of up to £1,000, and their vehicle may fail the MOT test. In certain cases, the registration number could be permanently withdrawn.
Furthermore, the consequences could extend beyond financial penalties, as insurance companies may view the offense unfavorably. This could result in insurers refusing to provide coverage following an accident if the number plates are not road legal.
Thankfully, drivers have a variety of legal options to choose from when replacing their number plates. Traditional acrylic plates with solid black printed digits are widely available and compliant with the updated regulations, offering clear visibility and legibility.
An increasing number of drivers are opting for so-called 3D and 4D plates, which incorporate modern gel digits and solid black acrylic digits, respectively. These plates provide a distinctive finish and do not violate the rules as long as the digits are not removable.
Car owners are encouraged to visit our website, where they can explore a wide range of alternative number plate formats.
