Are Metal Number Plates Legal?
Are the aluminium number plates legal for road use?
The legal requirements for vehicle number plates does vary according to the vehicle’s age. Any vehicle registered in 1973 or later must comply with the current standards that apply to number plates. Cars manufactured in 1972 or earlier are allowed to use black pressed aluminium plates, if they conform to the exact requirements outlined by the DVLA. These govern the type, size and spacing of the characters. Letters and numbers must be white, grey or silver on a black background, and this background can be made of aluminium if desired.
Why can aluminium plates not be used on modern cars?
The DVLA do not state that aluminium cannot be used, its more the fact that the material of aluminium itself is unable to meet the strict DVLA and British Standard requirements to make modern number plates. The authority’s stipulations about certain qualities the number plate material must possess makes aluminium an unsuitable choice for number plate manufacture. Firstly, all number plates must be made from a material that is reflective and although aluminium can be made to do so by adding a reflective coating, the laws stringent ruling means the material must be reflective to start with, not added to a different material post-production. Also, the material for a number plate must be constructed from a flexible material, and as acrylic springs back into plate after being bent, such as in a minor collision, reducing the risk of breakage and ensuring the number plate remains visible.
Are pressed plates legal in the UK?
As you have probably seen on lots of other vehicles around the world, ie America, Canada, China etc, the metal pressed plates are also not legal here in the UK.
What other legal number plate requirements exist?
The DVLA insist a specific British Standard must be applied to ALL car number plates. You can only obtain your number plate from a registered supplier that has been approved by the DVLA, like us here at Moonstone Plates.
All plates must be stamped with the appropriate British Standard code, as well as the maker’s mark and supplier address details.
A good reason to obtain your plates from a registered supplier, other than abiding by the law, you can be sure they will comply with the current standards regarding the size of the characters, the spacing between the letters and numbers, the correct font and the legal colours to be used. Numbers and letters can be three dimensional, but they must not be in italics. It is also an offence to space the characters differently, or to put a number plate on a car or van that is newer than the vehicle itself. Doing so can result in a large fine, points on your licence and in some cases having the rights to your private plate removed.
Looking to buy a private number plate?
Take a look on our website at the thousands and thousands of private number plates to suit all budgets with prices starting at just £275, it is a perfect & unique gift for everybody.
Click the link www.moonstoneplates.com/buy or press our logo to go back to the home page to begin your number plate journey!
Or If you would like to speak to someone you can call our team Mon-Fri 9am to 6pm at 01995 213112 or click here to contact us!
Looking to sell a private number plate?
Alternatively, if you have a registration plate and are looking to sell or know someone who might you can click here to go to our sell page or give our team a call on 01995 213112.
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