[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Read below to find out more about 4D plates: the best alternatives to traditional number plates, and why they are a great option for you.
There are all kinds of number plates to choose from in the world. Some are legal, while others are not. In our ‘4D plates: the best alternatives to traditional number plates’ article, we will go through everything you need to know about 4D plates, including if they are legal, if cameras can see them, and if you need to declare them.
Here, we aim to break everything down so that you can get an idea of why 4D plates really are the best alternatives to traditional number plates. Whether you just want something that looks a bit different, or you want a plate that requires less cleaning and maintenance, you will soon learn why 4D plates are the go-to option.
4D plates are seen as a step up from our beloved and popular 3D plates. These number plates stand directly out of the background and are not flat. So, if you were to shine a light on them, they would cast a shadow.
These plates are usually laser cut with acrylic and are three-dimensional, adding some extra class to a vehicle’s overall look. It might be difficult to see the difference between 4D plates and 3D plates if you aren’t used to them, but once you notice, you will always be able to appreciate both types.
Both 3D and 4D plates look different to traditional plates, so what makes 4D plates the better alternative to these traditional printed plates?
In late 2021 4D number plates became legal under new number plate regulations in the UK. However, this is only the case when the number plate follows the rules set out by the government. If these rules are not followed, then the number plate – whether they are 4D or not – is an illegal plate.
Currently, there is nothing to suggest that 4D plates are going to become illegal in the UK. As such, you should not get fined for having these plates, but accidental and illegal fines can still happen.
4D plates are perfectly visible to cameras, ANPR, and ULEZ cameras, and they are manufactured using fully DVLA-compliant and legal materials – provided you get them from a registered seller like us. However, getting these plates is considered a modification to your vehicle, so you need to declare them when you do your vehicle insurance. Any plate other than the standard printed plate should be considered a modification, so always keep this in mind when looking at dimensional plates.
Number plates are allowed to have raised characters and may display certain identifiers, flags, or symbols. However, you cannot tamper with the plates in any way – including fonts, cutting it down, changing the colours, characters, or adding non-standard designs or symbols to the plate.
UK plates must be made from a reflective material and display black characters in the Charles Wright 2001 font on the yellow rear and white front plates. No background patterns are permitted, and all plates fitted after September 2001 must be marked with a British Standard Number, and need to show the plate supplier.
All of these rules also apply to 4D hex plates – so there are plenty of options for you to enjoy with your vehicle. If you are unsure about your plates and UK laws, make sure you stay up-to-date with 2024 private plate laws to stay safe.
4D plates are sometimes referred to as 5D plates, but they’re the same thing. These plates only recently got legalised, but there are plenty of number plate rules you need to follow to make sure that they are legal.
These plates tend to get dirty slower, and it takes more muck to cover up the number plate. Because of this, these plates could actually help prevent you from being fined for having them obscured. Not only that, but 4D plates are easier for cameras to pick up compared to other plate types, which makes them an advantage to have on the roads.
Besides less cleaning and being more visible to cameras, the obvious benefit of a 4D plate is the aesthetics. These plates are more attractive compared to regular printed plates. However, they do come as an extra cost, and you do put yourself at risk for being wrongfully fined by officers who are not up-to-date with the law.
There are other plate options to consider, too, if you want something a bit different. We already mentioned hex plates (hexagonal plates), and these can be printed, 3D, or 4D.
2D or printed plates are the traditional plates that you will find on most vehicles. They are made up of characters that are printed flat onto the plate instead of being raised. These are the ‘standard’ plates, and while they get the job done, they don’t add anything new or interesting to your vehicle.
As they are standard, they do not need to be declared when doing vehicle insurance or carrying out an MOT.
Characteristics of 2D plates:
3D plates are another popular option to consider when looking at getting a new pair of plates. These are similar to 4D plates, but have some notable differences that you should keep in mind. They are also legal plates, and tend to come with a higher price tag compared to regular printed plates.
Characteristics of 3D plates:
4D plates are widely recognised as the favourites. They are attractive and add something extra to your car, all the while being legal and road-safe. These plates are great benefits, like the ones we mentioned before, and hardly any drawbacks.
Not only are 4D plates legal as of a few years ago, but they are likely to stay that way. Like any number plate, as long as you function within the number plate rules set out by the government, you should be fine. On the off-chance that you get wrongly fined for having them, you will be able to dispute it.
At Number Plate Clinic, we want you to get the best plates you could hope for. As the best alternative to Halfords, we offer a wide variety of plates to choose from, including printed, 3D, and 4D plates with various options.
With our next-day delivery if you order before 2pm, it is our mission to provide you with what you need to get back on the road. We are a DVLA-compliant number plate maker where you can get show plates, short plates, EV plates, hex plates, and much more. Whatever you need – we have it.
However, we also like to keep you informed with all things plate-related, too. Here, we teach you how to fit 4D plates and the reason why you don’t find the letter Z in number plates. We also go through the legalities of different plates, like why carbon gel number plates are illegal, and what you need to know about them.
Now that you have read our ‘4D plates: the best alternatives to traditional number plates’ guide, we hope you feel like you know enough about these plates to want to pick them for your next upgrade. And remember – get them from a reputable and licences shop like us, and you should never have any issues.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
