Number Plates for Cars
Replacement, upgrade or personalised — road-legal car plates made to the highest standard.
✓ MOT Friendly
✓ 100s of Styles
✓ Fast UK Delivery
All Car Types
Hatchbacks, saloons, SUVs, coupes — we supply plates for every make and model on UK roads.
Fully Road Legal
DVLA-registered supplier. Every plate meets BS AU 145e — the current British Standard for number plate manufacture.
Premium Finishes
Choose from standard, 3D gel or 4D laser-cut lettering for a look that matches your car’s character.
Easy Replacement
Lost, damaged or faded? Order a like-for-like replacement online in minutes with fast despatch.
UK Legal Requirements for Car Number Plates
Every car driven on a UK public road must display two number plates: a white reflective plate on the front and a yellow reflective plate on the rear. Both must show the vehicle’s registration number in the Charles Wright font at the correct character size (79mm tall, 50mm wide, with a 14mm stroke width) and with the correct spacing between characters and groups. These rules are set out in the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 and detailed in the British Standard BS AU 145e, which came into force in September 2021 and updated the previous BS AU 145d standard.
The standard also governs the background material (must be retro-reflective), the permitted border styles, and what can appear in the optional dealer strip at the bottom. Plates must not be tinted, smoked, or covered with any film that alters their reflective properties or reduces legibility. A car with illegal number plates can fail its MOT, receive a £1,000 fine, and — if caught during a police stop — have the plates confiscated on the spot. Buying from a DVLA-registered supplier like Car Plates Direct ensures your plates are compliant before they leave our facility.
The standard size for a passenger car plate is 520mm × 111mm on both the front and rear. Some vehicles — particularly older cars, some imports, and specialist vehicles — use different sizes. We also supply plates in the square 228×178mm format, popular on some 4×4s and older vehicles. If your vehicle requires a non-standard size, contact us and we’ll advise on the correct format.
Standard UK Car Plate Sizes
| Size | Dimensions | Typical Vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Standard oblong | 520 × 111 mm | All modern cars (post-2001 UK spec) |
| Short oblong | 460 × 111 mm | Some older cars & classic vehicles |
| Square (4×4) | 228 × 178 mm | Older 4x4s, Land Rovers, some imports |
| Large square | 285 × 203 mm | Some older saloons & American imports |
Plate Styles Available
Standard Flat
Classic flat-printed acrylic plate. Clean, legal, and the most affordable option. Perfect for everyday vehicles.
3D Gel
Raised gel resin letters give depth and a premium finish. Popular on new and near-new vehicles.
4D Laser-Cut
Individually laser-cut acrylic characters with a bold, striking raised profile. The premium choice for prestige and modified cars.
Hex Background
A subtle hexagonal texture printed on the plate face for a premium, modern look. Road legal when characters remain legible.
What Documents Do You Need to Order?
As a DVLA-registered number plate supplier, we are legally required to verify your identity and your entitlement to the registration before manufacturing road-legal plates. This is a legal requirement under the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 — it is not optional, and any supplier who does not ask for these documents is operating illegally.
You will need to provide TWO documents:
- Proof of identity: current UK driving licence, passport, or government-issued photo ID
- Proof of entitlement: V5C logbook (showing the registration), a V5C/2 new keeper supplement, a recent MOT certificate, or a certificate of entitlement (V750/V778) for personalised registrations
Documents can be uploaded securely during checkout. We review them promptly — typically within a few hours on working days — and dispatch your order as soon as they are verified.
How to Order Your Car Plates
Build Your Plate
Enter your registration in our plate builder. Choose your size, style (standard/3D/4D), and any optional upgrades like a hex background or custom border.
Upload Your Documents
Upload your proof of identity and proof of entitlement at checkout. This is a legal requirement — we’ll review quickly and let you know if anything’s missing.
We Make & Despatch
Once documents are verified we manufacture your plates and despatch the same or next working day. Most mainland UK addresses receive delivery within 1–3 days.
Car Number Plate FAQs
What is BS AU 145e and does it affect my existing plates?
BS AU 145e is the current British Standard for number plate manufacture, which replaced BS AU 145d in September 2021. It introduced tighter rules on reflective materials, border styles, and what can be printed on a plate. Plates made to the old standard before September 2021 are still legal to display, but any new plates you order must comply with BS AU 145e. All plates made by Car Plates Direct meet this standard.
Can I fit a number plate myself?
Yes — there is no legal requirement for plates to be fitted by a professional. Standard plates are held on with either screw fixings or self-adhesive pads (both options usually supplied). Ensure the plate is securely mounted, clearly visible, and not obscured by a towbar, bike rack, or other accessories. A plate that cannot be read clearly from 20 metres is not compliant.
Are 3D gel and 4D laser-cut plates road legal?
Yes, provided they use the correct BS-approved font at the correct size and spacing. The physical raising of the characters (gel or laser-cut acrylic) does not make a plate illegal — it is the font, spacing, and background material that determine legality. All of our 3D and 4D plates are manufactured to BS AU 145e and are fully road legal and MOT compliant.
Can I display a flag or national identifier on my number plate?
Yes. UK plates may display the Union Flag, the Cross of St George (England), the Saltire (Scotland), the Red Dragon (Wales), or the GB/UK Euro-symbol identifier in the left-hand side panel, optionally alongside the national text (ENG, SCO, CYM, UK). This is permitted under the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001. No other flags or symbols are permitted on road-legal plates.
My plate has faded or cracked — do I need to tell the DVLA?
No, you do not need to notify the DVLA when you replace a damaged plate, provided the registration itself has not changed. Simply order a replacement plate using your V5C as proof of entitlement. However, driving with a plate that is so faded or damaged that it cannot be read clearly is an offence — so replace it promptly.
What is the correct spacing on a UK number plate?
The current UK format (since September 2001) consists of two letters, two digits, a space, then three letters — e.g. AB12 CDE. The gap between the digit group and the letter group is two character spaces. Characters must be 79mm tall, 50mm wide (except the number 1 and letter I), with a 14mm stroke width, and 11mm gaps between characters. This spacing is fixed — it cannot be altered to make the plate read as a name or word without making it illegal.
Can I transfer a personalised plate to a new car?
Yes. You can transfer a cherished registration between vehicles using a V317 form via the DVLA. Once the transfer is complete, you’ll receive updated documentation and can order new plates bearing the personalised registration from us. You’ll need to provide your V5C or certificate of entitlement (V750/V778) at checkout.