Some call it a number plate, and some call it the license plate. Whatever you call it, one thing is clear: it is one of the most important restrictions from governments all over the world. Wherever you travel, you will see each car, motorbike even helicopters have its license number. These plates should always display the registration number of your vehicle very clearly and correctly. You cannot change the sequence of alphabets or the number, and you can alter them in a way they are hard to read and capture in city traffic cameras. We will discuss some must-follow Government rules and some relaxations that you must keep in mind while you buy a bike number plate or a car number plate.
According to the Government of the UK, if your number plate does not display the registration number correctly, you will be fined up to £1,000. You can now know the importance of the license plates. These license plates are used to trace your vehicle by police in case they are lost or theft. They will chase them with the help of traffic cameras, and each plate is registered against a specific bike or car.
Some vital information that the license plate shows:
The current format of number plates that you see was introduced back in 2001. It has been the same since then
Two Letters:
A license plate cannot be only alphabetic or numeric. It will always be in alphanumeric format. The first two alphabets of the number plate show the region of the country where it was registered for the first time.
Numbers:
After the alphabet, the first two numbers show the duration when it was issued.
Three letters:
The remaining three letters are chosen randomly to make this license plate unique. So the whole combination of numbers and alphabets makes the license plate unique, so it does not match the others.
Nameplate sizes:
There is no specific size for the plates, but just one thing is needed: the rectangular shape for motorcycles. But what is the average size of license plates in the UK?
64mm tall and 44mm wide; that has been the standard size of license plate in the UK since 2001, and the character thickness should be 10mm at least. This will not include the letter “I” and the number “1”. It is well said that a picture is worth more than a thousand words; a detailed description of sizes is mentioned in the image below
Colors:
These should be on yellow background with black characters. These may be in white background and black characters. There should not be any reflective stuff on them that makes it hard to read or capture them in security cameras. Otherwise, these may be fined.
3D effects:
A moment of relief for customisation lovers. You can have 3d plates but make sure there are no patterns on them that hide the license numbers. You can choose different varieties in 3d plates, the thickness, height, colour (not going against the basic rule of colors), and surface quality either to be mat or the plan and sizes of the plate. These look amazing on your bike.
Display of flags:
You can not show any of the flags of your choice on the license plate. Unless these are 50mm wide, you can have any of the below flags:
- Union flag
- Cross of St George
- Cross of St Andrew (Saltire)
- Red Dragon of Wales
Other than these, you can show the below national identities keeping in mind not to exceed 50mm.
- GREAT BRITAIN, Great Britain or GB
- UNITED KINGDOM, United Kingdom or UK
- ENGLAND, England, ENG or Eng
- SCOTLAND, Scotland, SCO or Sco
- CYMRU, Cymru, CYM or Cym
- WALES or Wales.
You have one more option to display the symbol of the union on your license plate.
What if you disobey the law?
If you do not follow the core laws, you will face a fine of £1,000, and when you go for MOT, it will not pass. It is necessary to protect license plates. The straightforward explanation is that one might trade vehicles during his lifetime yet the tags are forever. Would it be a good idea for them they be harmed in any capacity and the enlistment number can’t be perused then such plates could be viewed as invalid and the driver might be punished. Tags are helpless to harm. Assuming a vehicle proprietor lives in a rustic region and drives on harsh streets and across unpleasant territory there is each likelihood that flying rocks and stones can harm the plates. In the event that the track is sloppy, the plates might become mud-splattered.
Can you get customised plates?
Yes, why not? You can get your own customised license plates unless these are following the rules of the UK government. Gov specifies that any license plate should be made by an RNPS.
