Are Show Plates Legal?

With the DVLA regulating number plates more than ever, it’s not uncommon to see enthusiasts looking for well sought after show plates. Show Plates, which also known as promotional plates or off road number plates, are number plates that are not designed to conform to the laws set out by the BNMA typically for car shows, or music videos, but the uses are endless! We know there is a lot of grey areas around the use of these plates, so we’re here to provide you with a full guide!

So the question remains, ‘Are Show Plates Legal?’

To confirm, show plates are absolutely not road legal, and should never be used or displayed on public UK roads. This blog will delve into the legalities in depth. DWDPLATES are the UKs No 1 Plate Makers, and we’re here to support and guide you through your plate journey.

Are Show Number Plates Illegal?

The term “show plate” is commonly used to describe any number plate that does not adhere to DVLA rules. Due to this, they are absolutely not road legal under any circumstance. It’s important to note that show plates cannot be used as a substitute for a legitimate number plate, as they do not comply with BNMA guidelines. Non-compliance with these guidelines can be attributed to various factors, including sizing, characters, or the manufacturing company. Show plates often have features that are not legal for standard number plates used on UK roads. These features may include personalized text at the bottom, tinted acrylic, or variations in fonts and spacing of letters and numbers. If you’ve noticed number plates with unconventional text on off-road vehicles, those are likely show plates. It’s not uncommon to see vehicles in music videos featuring non UK standard plates, they can display any text, such as ‘MU5IC’ or ‘BO55’

Where Can I Buy Show Plates?

Here at DWDPLATES, our customers are at the heart of our operations. We are proud to offer a wide variety of custom plates, whether this is a 3D 16 Inch Short Plate, or even a 4D 20.5 Inch Plate, we have it all. All of our plates are available via our website, we offer Road Legal and Show Plate variants for all of our options! Our show plates give you freedom, allowing to you to kit out these plates to your needs. We offer short plates, tinted number plates, unique coloured letters, and much more! We take pride in our products, and no request is too much for us. Whether you want a legal plate with a special finish, or an extreme show plate, as a number plate maker with creativity flowing through our business, we can fulfil any order, no matter how unique.

Why Should I Buy Show Plates?

Show plates offer a wide variety of options that are not possible when purchasing Road Legal & MOT Compliant No Plates. Although, these plates are not road legal and under no circumstance can show plates be used on public roads, they can still be used for a wide variety of applications. Show Number Plates often feature extravagant styles, flashy color’s and custom spacing, due to these reasons, there is a high chance you may get pulled over or issued a fine by the DVLA. If you display a show plate on your vehicle, you may be liable to receive a fine of up to £1000. Here is a list of reasons as to why you may want to buy a show plate:

• Garage or Wall Display
• Music Videos & Promotional Videos/Photos
• Instagram Posts (To Hide Your Original Plate)
• Private Road Use (Private Yards)
• Dealership Promotion

What Are the DVLA Guidelines For Road Legal Number Plates?

In simple and short terms, illegal number plates are plates that do not conform to the BNMA & DVLA guidelines. Motor enthusiasts have been known to modify their vehicles heavily, especially when it comes to Number Plates. In recent years, drivers have been known to place coloured screw caps on number plates or reduce spacing so characters read differently. The motive behind these offences vary, some motorists want to stand out, whilst others are trying to make the most of their private registrations purchased from the DVLA

Whatever the reason may be, custom or replacement number plates should always be purchased from approved, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) registered vendors such as DWDPLATES. When buying legal number plates, you will be asked to produce the V5C logbook of your vehicle to make sure you have the correct rights to buy that registration. Below is a list of guidelines that plates must conform to:

All standard number plates on-road vehicles must:

• Meet the British Standard
• Have the correct spacing, font and format, as specified by DVLA
• Be strong and durable to withstand destructive material on the road (such as debris, road salt and dirt)
• Be supported by legal documentation
• Be legally assigned to your vehicle before they are used
• Be marked to illustrate the supplier of the number plate

In order to stay up to date with the latest guidelines, be sure to follow us on Facebook & Instagram. Additionally, our weekly Blog posts keep you update to date and keeps you informed on anything number plate related.