Navigating the diverse terrain of UK roads, you will have come across a range of motorcycle number plate styles, from the traditional black and silver plates that are mounted on the front wheel to other bikes sporting no plate at all on the front. Yet not all motorcycles conform to standard registration norms, prompting questions about the legal requirements regarding motorcycle number plate sizes.
The UK maintains very specific regulations dictating the dimensions of these plates, so if you spot a motorcycle with a tiny plate, the chances are the owner is breaking the law.
Motorbike Number plate size
The standard size for a motorcycle number plate in the UK is typically nine inches (22.86cm) by seven inches (17.78cm). While there isn't an exact ruling on the size, the characters on the plate must adhere to specific dimensions. Since 2001, all characters on motorcycle registrations must measure 64mm in height and 44mm in width, except for the number 1 and the letter I.
Additional regulations cover the thickness of the letters and the spacing between them. Both the stroke and spacing must measure 10mm, while the gap between the age identifier numerals and random letters should be 30mm. The vertical space between the two text lines at the bottom and top must be 13mm, and an 11mm space should be left between the edge of the number plate and the characters displayed. These regulations apply to all motorcycle number plates, whether personalised or not, ensuring clear readability.
What is the UK’s motorcycle number plate law?
The UK's motorcycle number plate law stipulates those motorbikes registered before September 1st, 2001, have the option to spread text across three lines if preferred, however, it is illegal to display the registration on a single line. Motorcycles registered after or on September 1st, 2001, are required to display their number plates only at the rear of the bike. Older models may display their registration at the front, but this is not mandatory.
What are the Characters and colours of legal motorcycle plates?
The characters and colours of legal motorcycle plates in the UK follow similar guidelines to the car registrations in that the two alphabetical characters denote the region of initial registration, followed by an age indicator derived from the last two digits of the registration year or by adding 50 to this number for registrations in the latter half of the year. The final three letters are random, allowing for personalisation, particularly for new bike owners selecting characters that reflect their bike brand or initials. Legal motorcycle plates should be spread across two separate lines on a square plate.
The characters on the rear plate of a motorcycle must be in black on a reflective yellow plate, meeting the same specifications as car registrations.
Ensuring compliance with these regulations is crucial to avoid fines, which can reach up to £1,000, and for it to pass its annual MOT test successfully, making sure the registration is spread over two separate lines and be presented on a square number plate.
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