[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Customising cars is a passion for many people but with strict regulations regarding your vehicle, it’s not always easy to make aesthetic changes and still abide by the law. Square number plates are common in other countries, so if you’re importing a foreign car to the UK, you might like the new look, but you need to make sure it’s legal for use on UK roads.
The information given on number plate regulations is confusing and often contradictory depending on what source you read the information, but our blog strives to give the most up-to-date information on number plate legalities as possible.
So what size is a square number plate and can you get one for your vehicle?
Square number plates vary in size depending on what country or area they’re from. For example, in the United States, standard licence plates are typically 6 inches by 12 inches (152 mm x 305 mm). However, some states have variations in size or design. In Japan, number plates can vary, but are typically 13″ x 6.5″ (330 mm x 165 mm).
In the UK, square number plates are typically 9 inches by 8 inches (229 mm x 203 mm), while standard four-wheel vehicle number plates are 20” x 4” (520 mm x 111 mm).
You’ll see that if the height and width aren’t the same, it’s not technically a square, however, square plates generally refer to those that are more square than the standard oblong or rectangular plates.
While there are strict regulations for number plate materials, colour and format, square number plates are legal for use in the UK, provided they meet the DVLA’s other restrictions.
When looking to buy a new number plate, you should make sure to find a trusted number plate supplier. The government has an online list of approved suppliers you can find in your area, who will be able to ensure your number plate meets each of the regulations set out by the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency). Failing to meet any of the requirements will cause you to fail an MOT test, and may result in a fine of up to £1000, so it’s essential to have your number plate made by a licensed company.
When ordering your number plate, you’ll just need to bring your driver’s licence, proof of ownership of the vehicle and the DVLA registration details of the vehicle, so they can issue you with your new number plate.
If you’ve imported a car from another country, you’ll also need to make sure the number plate meets the UK’s regulations before registering it with the DVLA.
Japanese vehicles, also known as JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) vehicles, have different shaped plates than those in the UK and are popular vehicles for import.
Typically, the sizes for JDM number plates are:
Although the most common size is 13″ x 6.5″. Original Japanese number plates will of course have Japanese characters on them, so you won’t be able to register these directly with the DVLA. If you wish to keep the aesthetic of the square plate on your vehicle, you can order a new number plate with the UK’s licence plate format with the same dimensions as the original number plate, and it will be legal for use on the road.
Square number plates are typically used on four-wheeled vehicles, however, the information regarding regulations on which vehicles they can be used is often contradictory.
The DVLA stipulates that all vehicles’ number plates must have an 11 mm margin from the edge of the character to the edge of the number plate, and four-wheeled vehicles’ number plates must be along one line, while motorbike plates must be over two. So this would imply that square plates are not legal on cars, but only on motorbikes. Wouldn’t it?
Well, other sources will tell you that square number plates are only legal on cars and not on motorbikes. So what can we say for certain?
Standard car, van, lorry and trailer number plates in the UK are 20” x 4” (520 mm x 111 mm) while motorbike plates are usually 9” x 7” (228 mm x 178 mm) and square number plates in the UK are usually 9” x 8” (229 mm x 203 mm). There are no rules stipulating the exact size a number plate should be in the UK, but the characters, font and spacing should all meet the DVLA’s regulations.
So how do you know when you can use a square number plate for certain? Get your number plate from an approved supplier in the UK.
While the exact dimensions of a number plate in the UK aren’t regulated, there are plenty of rules to follow to ensure your vehicle is road-worthy and not sporting show plates.
Motorbikes do not need to have front number plates, however, four-wheeled vehicles must have a front number plate that:
If a number plate follows these restrictions and the UK’s number plate format, it is legal for use on public roads in the UK (can be driven and parked).
The UK’s number plate format, except for personalised plates, must have two letters at the start to show where the vehicle was registered, two numbers to show the year it was registered and three random letters to differentiate the number plate. Each of these represents a character group.
So with so many restrictions on the colour, font, size and format of your number plate, what’s the best way to customise your vehicle for an impressive aesthetic?
4D number plates!
4D number plates have a slick, cool appearance, elevating the characters from the background of the plate. With 4D Clear Krystal plates giving your motorbike or car a modern, and suave appearance thanks to the crystal clear solid fill of the characters, and the 4D Double Clear Krystal taking your vehicle into the future with the even bigger characters, there are plenty of ways to customise your number plate to elevate the appearance of your car or motorbike. If that’s too adventurous for your little moped, you can simply get a custom small bike plate printed with a registered number plate supplier to fit the cute aesthetic of your motorbike and still adhere to the DVLA’s rules.
There’s a rumour that 4D plates are illegal as they can’t be seen easily on ANPR cameras, but that’s simply not true. Having 4D characters makes your number plate easily readable for cameras, pedestrians and other road users, so you don’t have to worry about your MOT or traffic violations when you get a 4D number plate – but you do still have to watch your speed.
If you want a custom number plate for your motorbike or car, look no further than the Number Plate Clinic. Just contact our customer service team, show us your ID and vehicle registration details and we can make you a custom number plate in our workshop that meets the DVLA’s regulations.
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