Drivers Urged to Stay Informed About Recent Changes in Number Plate Regulations to Avoid Hefty Fines
Motorists are being strongly advised to thoroughly inspect their vehicle’s number plates in order to eliminate the potential risk of incurring substantial fines or failing the MOT test.
Experts at National Numbers, a leading provider of personalised registrations, have issued a cautionary message to drivers, emphasizing the importance of ensuring their number plates comply with the current road regulations. This is particularly crucial for those who have purchased a new car or fitted new plates after September 2021 when the legislation was updated.
The revised regulations explicitly prohibit the use of number plates with printed 3D-style digits or any plates featuring two-tone effects, including carbon fibre-style plates with black and grey lettering.
The updated guidelines stipulate that only number plates with solid black digits are permitted. This ensures a clear contrast between the background and the letters, allowing Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to accurately identify vehicles on the road, even when they are traveling at high speeds during both day and night.
Under the new regulations, all newly manufactured number plates must adhere to the enhanced British Standard BS AU 145e, which was implemented two years ago to address concerns regarding road safety and law enforcement. These plates are also more resistant to abrasion, providing extended durability against dirt, road grime, and high-pressure jet-washing.
David Edwards, the Operations Director at National Numbers, the UK’s most established personalised registration dealer, emphasized, “There are still drivers on the road who remain unaware of these requirements, and this lack of awareness puts them at risk of incurring an entirely avoidable fine.” Edwards added, “Given that these changes have been in effect since late 2021, traffic police are unlikely to show leniency towards individuals claiming ignorance after being stopped. For this reason, National Numbers urges every driver to ensure their number plates fully comply with the law.”
Failure to display number plates correctly may result in fines of up to £1,000, and vehicles may fail the MOT test. In severe cases, the registration number may be permanently withdrawn.
Moreover, non-compliant number plates can have further financial repercussions, as insurance companies may view this as a violation and potentially refuse to provide coverage following an accident.
Thankfully, there are several legal options available to motorists for obtaining compliant replacements. Traditional acrylic number plates with solid black printed digits, which are widely used and conform to the new regulations, offer clear visibility and legibility.
Increasingly, drivers are opting for 3D and 4D plates, which feature modern gel digits and solid black acrylic digits, respectively. These alternatives provide a unique aesthetic appeal without violating the rules, as long as the digits are securely affixed.
Car owners are invited to visit our website to explore a broad range of alternative number plate formats.
