Custom Show Plates Maker
Create a fully personalised display plate for car shows, gifts, photography or garage décor — any text, any style, no restrictions. Made in the UK, posted to your door.
Show plates are NOT road legal and must NEVER be displayed on a vehicle used on public roads. Using a show plate on a road-going vehicle is a criminal offence under the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 and can result in a fine of up to £1,000, a failed MOT, and potential issues with your vehicle insurance. Show plates are intended solely for display purposes — at car shows, exhibitions, in the home, garage, or as gifts.
What Are Show Plates Used For?
Show plates are one of the most creative and versatile products we make. Here are the most popular uses.
Car Shows & Exhibitions
Display a stylised version of your plate at shows, concours events and classic meets without risking your road-legal plates.
Personalised Gifts
A unique birthday, anniversary or Christmas gift for any car lover. “DAD 1”, “MUM 70”, “JAKE 21” — made to order.
Baby Shower & New Baby Gifts
Custom plates with the baby’s name are a hugely popular keepsake gift for new parents. Any name, any date.
Photography & Film
Create specific plates for photoshoots, film productions or TV work without having to register a vehicle with the DVLA.
Home & Garage Wall Art
A personalised plate makes a stylish piece of wall art for a garage, workshop, man cave or bedroom.
Birthday & Anniversary Gifts
Mark a milestone with a custom plate — “PAUL 50”, “JADE 2005” or a special message. Comes ready to display.
Why Our Show Plates Stand Out
Total Creative Freedom
No legal font restrictions. Choose from a range of typefaces, border styles, background colours, slogans and badge designs.
Any Text You Like
Enter any text up to 8 characters — names, phrases, dates, nicknames. Not restricted to DVLA registration formats.
Same Premium Materials
Made from the same high-grade UV-stable acrylic used in our road-legal plates. Built to look great and last for years.
No Documents Needed
Show plates don’t require a V5C or identity verification — just design, pay and we’ll post them straight to you.
Show Plates vs Road-Legal Plates
Understanding the difference is important — here’s a clear side-by-side comparison.
- Must display a genuine registered vehicle number
- Charles Wright font only — mandatory
- Strict size, spacing and reflectivity rules
- White front / Yellow rear only
- Require V5C/identity verification to order
- Legal to use on public roads
- Will pass an MOT inspection
- Any text, name or phrase — no DVLA format required
- Any font, style or design
- Any size, colour or background
- No restrictions on appearance
- No documents required to order
- Display only — never for use on public roads
- Will NOT pass an MOT if fitted to a road vehicle
What Makes a Great Show Plate?
The beauty of show plates is that you’re only limited by your imagination. Unlike road-legal plates, there are no restrictions on the font, colour, size or text content. This makes them perfect for personalised gifts where you want to include a name, a special date, a nickname or a private joke that simply wouldn’t be possible on a road-legal plate.
For car show displays, many owners choose to replicate the style of their road-legal plate but with a premium finish — perhaps a 3D gel or 4D laser-cut effect that they wouldn’t want to risk on daily driving. Others go all-out with custom borders, carbon-effect backgrounds, or vintage-style fonts that complement a classic car’s aesthetic. Because show plates use the same premium acrylic material as road-legal plates, they look just as impressive up close.
When ordering as a gift, think about what makes it personal. A plate with the recipient’s name and birth year is a timeless keepsake. Baby shower plates with the new arrival’s name (or even “BABE 2024” if the name isn’t chosen yet) have become hugely popular. For anniversaries, a plate showing the couple’s names and wedding year makes a memorable piece of wall art. All our show plates arrive securely packaged and are ready to gift or display straight out of the box.
How to Order Your Show Plate
Design Your Plate
Use our show plate builder to enter your text (any text — names, phrases, numbers), choose your font style, background, border and optional badge or slogan. See a live preview instantly.
No Documents Needed
Unlike road-legal plates, show plates don’t require any identity verification. Simply complete your design, choose your quantity, and proceed to checkout — no paperwork, no waiting.
Delivered to Your Door
We manufacture your show plate in our UK workshop and dispatch via tracked post. Most orders arrive within 1–2 working days. Arrives securely packaged and ready to display or gift.
Show Plates — Frequently Asked Questions
Are show plates legal in the UK?
Can I put any text on a show plate?
What size are show plates?
Do I need to provide any ID or documents to order a show plate?
Can I order show plates as a gift for someone?
Can I get a show plate in 3D gel or 4D laser-cut style?
Will a show plate damage my car if I temporarily attach it at a show?