Are Custom Number Plates Legal?

Are you looking for a Custom Number Plate for your Car, Motorbike or Van, but aren’t sure what is legal and what isn’t? DWDPLATES are a DVLA Registered Number Plate Manufacturer and have dealt with Number Plates for years, we’re here to answer all of the questions you have. 

In this blog, we’ll answer the never ending question, Are Custom Number Plates Illegal?

DWDPLATES are a Limited Company which are registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). We have been registered for years, and have followed the regulations meticulously to ensure we are on the correct side of the law. Over the years, we have sold thousands of 3D Plates, 4D Plates and 4D Gel Plates. After all, we are the UKs Number 1 Number Plate Manufacturer. In addition to the above, we also specialise in Personalised Number Plate Key Rings, and Private Number Plates. If it’s Number Plate related, we have it!

What are Custom Number Plates?

Custom Number Plates is a term that has been used by motorists for years. It refers to any Number Plate that has additional options compared to a standard flat 2D Number Plate, with the letters being flat and printed. Custom Number Plates can offer a wide range of variety in options, such as size, shade of tint, and letter styles. Here are some examples of Custom Number Plates…

3D Number Plates 

3D Number Plates are manufactured from Polyurethane Resin which is a thermoplastic polymer. Each digit is manufactured using this material, this leaves a 3D letter which extrudes from the base of the plate by around 3MM depending on the manufacturer. In order to extract the characters for a number plate, DWDPLATES use top of the range laser cutters to remove digits out of a sheet, then we cover this template with the resin to create the numbers and letters. To ensure the characters have a beautiful finish, we bake them in a low-grade oven then allow them to cool.

4D Number Plates 

4D Number Plates are in fact similar to 3D Plates in the way that they are manufactured. However, 4D Number Plates are manufactured using Sheet Acrylic. Here at DWDPLATES, we use Laser Cutters to extract required letters form this Acrylic. 4D Characters are fairly blocky in shape and tend to extrude up to 6MM out from the plate base. You might be wondering, how can an object be in the 4th Dimension? Your thinking is correct! Over the years, there has been a wide variety of Number Plate styles, due to the vast variety of Number Plates, 4D is simply a term used to differentiate between the 3D Gel Number Plates and the ‘3D’ Acrylic. Rest assured, these Number Plates are in fact very different in looks. 

So, are Custom Number Plates Legal?

In short, yes. Custom Number Plates are 100% Road Legal and MOT Compliant as long as they are manufactured following BSAU 145e Standards!  DWDPLATES are a DVLA Registered Manufacturer and we follow these standards very closely, you can be sure that any Number Plate you purchase from us, whether it’s 3D or 4D will be manufactured to the correct standard! Popular to contrary belief, raised characters are fully road legal and permitted on a Number Plate as long as they follow the correct BS AU 145e Standards. There is also common misconception, regarding the shape of the acrylic/number plate. The British Number Plate Manufacturers Association (BNMA) has not set out rules regarding this, as long as the Number Plate Letters fit on the backing plate, it is legal and permitted.

What makes a Number Plate Illegal?

Unfortunately, in the recent years, there has been an increase in Number Plate shops and sellers who are not DVLA Registered and have started selling Number Plates. If a seller is not DVLA Registered and does not follow BNMA regulations, your number plate is illegal. When purchasing a Custom Number Plate, it is the buyer’s responsibility to ensure they are purchasing from a legal manufacturer, otherwise the buyer will be held liable. You could be fined up to £1000, and your vehicle will fail it’s MOT if you are displaying illegal number plates.

How Can I Ensure I Am Purchasing Legal Number Plates?

When shopping for a set of 3D Number Plates, 4D Number Plates or any Number Plate Replacements, it is your responsibility to choose a trusted seller such as DWDPLATES. We are a DVLA Registered Seller/Manufacturer and all of our Number Plate’s are 100% Legal and MOT Friendly (with the exception of Show Plates). Always make sure that the seller you are buying from is registered and trusted, this will help you avoid fines and legal issues down the line. DWDPLATES have a dedicated page outlining the ins and outs of Legal Number Plates. 

In Summary:

• Custom Number Plates Are Fully Road Legal and MOT Compliant, As Long As They Are Manufactured Following BS AU 145e Standards. 
• 3D Number Plates, 4D Number Plates, And Any Replacement Number Plates Are Legal As Long As They’re Manufactured Correctly. 
• Ensure Your Manufacturer are DVLA Registered, Such as DWDPLATES. 
• Always Find A Trusted Seller Like DWDPLATES, For Your Replacement Or Upgraded Custom Number Plates. 
• Strictly Avoid Sellers And Shops That Are Not Trusted & Registered With The DVLA.