UK Registration Plate Laws 2025

 

Stay up-to-date with the latest UK registration plate laws in 2025. 

 

These guidelines are compiled from official government sources and are outlined in the current British Standard for number plates, BS AU 145e. 

 

Topics on this page include:

• The musts and must nots of number plates.
• Changes made to number plate rules in the last 5 years.
• Number plate spacing rules.
• How to attach number plates.

 

So, if you’re looking for the latest DVLA number plate rules, keep reading to learn more:

 

Number Plate Laws – Musts and Must Nots

 

The DVLA number plate rules in the UK are designed to ensure plates are legible, durable, and safe for use on public roads. 

Non-compliance can result in fines, MOT failures, or even registration withdrawal.

Here’s what you can and can’t do: 

 

What You Must Have

 

To meet the DVLA number plate requirements in 2025, plates must:

 

• Be made from reflective material.
• Display black characters on a white front plate and black characters on a yellow rear plate.
• Use the Charles Wright 2001 typeface.
• Meet spacing and size standards:
• Cars, vans, and trucks: 11mm spacing, 79mm height, 44mm width (excluding 'I' & '1').
• Motorbikes and tricycles: 10mm spacing, 64mm height.
• Include supplier details (name, postcode, manufacturer’s mark).
• Display BS AU 145e certification (mandatory for plates fitted post-1 September 2021).
• Use solid black characters (no shading or two-tone effects).

 

What You Must Not Have

 

Your plate must not:

 

• Feature removable or reflective letters.
• Include background colours or patterns.
• Use non-approved fonts or textures.
• Display unauthorised symbols, badges, or images.
• Use bolts/screws to distort characters. For example, using a screw to change a C to look like an E.
• Incorporate coatings affecting reflectivity or camera readability.

 

What You May Have

 

Optional legal features include:

 

• 4D raised black characters (must meet visibility standards).
• Approved flags and national identifiers (e.g., UK, ENG, SCO, WAL, CYM).
• A green flash on zero-emission vehicles.
• A single-colour, non-reflective border (maximum width: 5mm).

 

Registration Plate Laws for Motorbikes and Motor Tricycles

 

Aside from number plate spacing rules differing between cars and motorbikes (more on this later), additional DVLA number plate rules are in place for motorcycles.

 

These are:

 

• Motorbikes and motor tricycles registered after 1st September 2001 must only display rear number plates. 
• Motorbikes registered before 1st September 2001 can display number plates at the front, but it’s not legally required.
• Number plates for motorcycles should be on two lines.

 

Number Plate Rules for Towing Trailers

 

There are number plate rules for towing trailers that differ domestically and internationally. 

 

• UK towing: Trailer plates must match the towing vehicle’s registration. If you’re towing more than one vehicle, it should be fixed to the trailer at the back.
• International towing: Trailers may need their own registration. Plates must be placed at the rear or sides for visibility.

 

Learn more with the official DVLA trailer guide (INF291)

 

Number Plate Spacing Laws

 

Correct character spacing ensures legibility and compliance with UK number plate laws.

 

Spacing Rules for Cars, Vans, and Trucks

 

Spacing Rules for Motorcycles

 

 

Zero-Emission Vehicle Border

 

Cars with zero emissions can have a green rectangular panel on the left-hand side of the number plate.

 

However, this green flash should be:

 

• Reflective
• Have a width of 40mm to 50mm.
• And have the colour Pantone 7481c.

 

Optional Borders

 

Aside from the green flash, some number plates feature borders to show flags or national identifiers.

 

These borders must follow the following criteria: 

 

• They must be permanently printed.
• Must be a single shade of colour.
• Must have a width of no more than 5mm.
• Must be at least 10mm from the edge of the registration characters.
• Must not be reflective.
• Must not have a pattern or texture.
• Must not be above any other markings.

 

Your border can run level with markings like the British Standard number and the supplier and manufacturer details. However, the border needs to leave space to not obscure information.

 

Flags and National Identifiers

 

Car owners can add flags and national identifiers to their number plates. They must be positioned to the left of the number plate and cannot be wider than 50mm, with the flag located about the national identifier.

 

Currently, the following flags are permitted for UK cars:

 

• The Union Jack.
• The Cross of St George.
• The red dragon of Wales.
• The Saltire/ the Cross of St Andrew.

 

The following national identifiers are permitted for UK cars:

 

• UNITED KINGDOM, United Kingdom, or UK.
• ENGLAND, England, ENG, or Eng.
• SCOTLAND, Scotland, SCO, or Sco.
• WALES or Wales.
• CYMRU, Cymru, CYM, or Cym.

 

Identifiers for GREAT BRITAIN, Great Britain, and GB are also allowed but require a UK sticker when travelling abroad.

 

DVLA number plate rules dictate additional times you may need a UK sticker:

 

• Those travelling in Spain, Cyprus, or Malta must have a UK sticker. 
• GB stickers should be removed or covered before driving overseas, except for Ireland.
• UK stickers should be added onto the rear of your vehicle if your plate has a Euro symbol, the national flags of England, Scotland or Wales, or no flag and identifier.

 

These are the only forms of badges allowed on UK cars, which means football club badges, religious symbols, or any other designs are illegal.

 

Supplier & Manufacturer Markings

 

• Must display:
• Manufacturer’s name/postcode.
• BS AU 145e mark.
• Markings placed 7mm below registration in a non-reflective colour.

 

Rules for Historic Vehicles

 

Historic vehicles are permitted to use the old style of number plates, which were black and white/silver and made from metal or plastic. 

This applies mainly to vehicles made before 1st January 1973. 

However, vehicles before 1st January 1980 can still have this permission as long as they have applied to the DVLA. The vehicle should also be registered in the Historic Vehicles tax classification.

 

How to Attach Number Plates

 

• Recommended: Automotive adhesive strips.
• Permitted: Screws/bolts (must not distort character appearance).
• Plates must be securely attached to avoid detachment while driving.

 

Penalties for Breaking UK Number Plate Laws

 

Failure to comply can result in:

 

• £1,000 fine
• MOT failure
• Loss of registration number
• Police-issued Vehicle Defect Rectification Notice (VDRN)

 

UK Registration Plate Law Changes Over the Years

 

2025

Key changes for UK number plate law 2025 include:

 

• Introduction of the new “25” registration tag (March) and “75” tag (September).
• Tougher material requirements to improve durability.
• New reflectivity standards to improve ANPR compatibility and road safety.
• Expanded use of digital security features (including QR codes and holograms) to combat plate cloning.
• Stricter plate approval process: The DVLA now uses both automated systems and manual reviews to assess plates for compliance. Key focus areas include:
• Offensive language: Plates containing profanity, slurs, or explicit references are banned.
• Controversial terms: Political, socially insensitive, or potentially complaint-inducing references are disallowed.
• Impersonation risks: Plates resembling police or official identifiers are automatically flagged.
• Double meanings: Even harmless-looking combinations can be rejected if they can be misread or carry unintended interpretations.
• Examples of banned plates in 2025: The DVLA has published its annual list of prohibited plates to prevent offensive combinations. Banned examples include: WA25 TED, UD25 UNK, TE25 ROR, GO25 HEL, and ST25 ABB. These plates were flagged due to inappropriate abbreviations, misleading appearances, or potential to offend.

 

2024

In 2024, updates focused on making it easier for number plates to be visible to ANPR systems and to improve road safety.

These changes includes:

 

• Stricter rules on reflective materials and character clarity.
• 3D and tinted plates banned; all plates must have flat, solid black characters. This doesn’t mean that all 3D/4D acrylic plates were banned, but just ones that had illegal tinting. 
• Mandatory security marks introduced to prevent tampering.

 

2023

• Reinforcement of BS AU 145e compliance for new plates.
• Crackdown on plates with incorrect spacing and illegal fonts.

 

2022

• Fresh guidance surrounding number plates was implemented by the DVLA in 2022. Per the BS AU 145e British Standard, plates must be made from a tougher material to enhance damage resistance.

 

2021

2021 saw big changes to number plate rules per the new British Standard.

 

• Lettering was changed to prevent two-tone plates, typically used to create the appearance of different shades for an enhanced 3D and 4D effect. 
• Number plate characters can still be created using acrylic raised lettering, but must be in a solid black to assist with Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras.
• Post-Brexit, UK plates also feature the Union Jack to replace the EU flag. On 28th September 2021, the UK officially changed its mark from GB to UK, applying to both Great Britain and Northern Ireland vehicles. 

 

 

UK Registration Plate Laws 2025 FAQs

 

What is the new number plate rule in the UK for 2025?
2025 introduces stricter material standards, enhanced ANPR visibility, and updated security features.

 

Are "75" registration plates available yet?
"75" plates are available from September 2025.

 

Is it illegal to display a number plate in the car window?
Yes, plates must be securely attached to the designated front and rear positions.

 

Are 4D number plates legal in the UK?
Yes, if the characters are solid black and comply with BS AU 145e.

 

Can I get fined for having no front number plate?
Yes, driving without a front plate can result in a £1,000 fine and potential MOT failure.

 

Can I use coloured or patterned backgrounds?
No, backgrounds must be plain reflective white (front) and yellow (rear) with no additional colours or patterns.