[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Are carbon gel number plates being replaced by 4D plates? What even are carbon gel plates? Read this to find out what you need to know.
Are carbon gel number plates being replaced by 4D plates in the UK? You might be wondering about carbon gel plates and 4D plates – whether it’s the differences between them, or the question about how legal these plates are.
While carbon gel number plates are very attractive plates and offer something a bit different compared to 4D and most 3D plates, there are a few things you should know about them. Lucky for you, we will go through what you need to know about before diving in and purchasing some carbon gel plates, unless you want an unpleasant surprise on the roads.
At first glance, 4D plates might appear similar to 3D plates, but there are notable differences between the two. 3D plates have domed gel resin letters and characters, and 4D plates are characters that are made from solid acrylic. The characters on 4D plates have a more bold appearance, while 3D characters are rounded and glossy.
4D plates are typically laser cut acrylic and are three-dimensional, adding some extra class to a vehicle’s overall look. If you were to shine a light on them, the characters would cast a shadow.
4D plates were legalised in late 2021 when new number plate regulations were introduced 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. You’re not allowed to have background patterns, and all plates fitted after September 2001 need to be marked with a British Standard Number, and the plate supplier needs to be visible.
All of these rules also apply to 4D hex plates – so there are lots 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.
Carbon gel number plates are another attractive plate design that you might be tempted to use when looking for the perfect plate. These plates are stylish and look modern, potentially upping your car’s whole look. However, there are some crucial things that you should consider before making a purchase.
Characteristics of carbon gel plates:
Many stores sell these attractive plates – but are they legal?
Carbon gel number plates are not legal for road use in the UK. You cannot have these plates on a vehicle.
Why? The primary issue with these number plates is based on the reflectivity of them. Carbon gel number plates are manufactured using a highly reflective material, which makes the plate difficult or even impossible for cameras such as ANPR to read the plate.
Since ANPR plays a crucial role in UK law and police work, any plate that cannot be read by these cameras is not legal.
For anyone wondering, in order for a number plate to be legal, it needs to follow the below rules, as well as the previously mentioned regulations:
Not have reflective characters (letters, numbers)
Then, are carbon gel number plates being replaced by 4D plates? The answer might not be as simple as you think. Why? Because, as we’ve already established, carbon gel number plates are not road legal in the UK.
It’s hard to replace something when that thing wasn’t legal in the first place.
In simple terms, you could say no. 4D plates got legalised a few years ago, and they are incredibly popular and great for road use. The same can’t be said to carbon gel plates because of their very reflective material, which makes the plate impossible for cameras like ANPR to read.
For obvious reasons, 4D plates are better than carbon gel plates, simply because they are legal for road use. Although you could purchase some carbon gel plates to keep in your house as a decoration, their usefulness doesn’t tend to extend beyond that.
If you want to get some number plates that you can use on the road, then 4D plates are the obvious choice between the two. Of course, there are other plates to consider, like the traditional printed or 2D plates, but everyone should choose a plate that they love – not one that they settle for.
At Number Plate Clinic, we want to supply you with high quality, DVLA-compliant plates that you can drive around with freely. As the best alternative to Halfords, we offer a wide variety of plates to pick from, including printed/2D, 3D, and 4D options with various design options like hex, short, and show plates.
With our next-day delivery if you order before 2pm, we can get you the plates you need quickly. Our mission is to provide you with what you need to get back on the road, and we do what we can to make it possible. We are a legal number plate maker where you can get show plates, short plates, EV plates, hex plates, and much more. Whatever you need – we have it.
We don’t stop at supplying you with plates, though – we also like to keep you informed on everything plate-related in the UK. We teach you how to fit 4D plates and the reason why you don’t find the letter Z in number plates, and so much more. In our blogs, we also go through the legalities of different plates, like a more in-depth look into why carbon gel number plates are illegal, and what you need to know about them.
So, are carbon gel number plates being replaced by 4D plates? No – because carbon gel plates are not road legal, whereas 4D plates are.
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