1000's of different styles of number plates are available by mixing and matching number plate components. This page highlights the Number plate Law and current legislation and some of the examples of Plate Styles that can be made by interchanging, Digit styles, Reflective Backgrounds, Borders, Personalisation, Euroflag & Acrylic whilst conforming to the latest Number Plate Standards.

Number Plate law

What Documents Do I need?

I want to register as a Number Plate Supplier

Emblem Flags

Import Cars

Number Plate Styles

Number Plate Law

This applied from September 2001 in accordance with BS AU 145d Statutory Instrument 2001/No 561. New format will consist of 2 letters, 2 numbers a space of 33mm and a group of 3 letters. 

 

A - Euroflag Emblem
This is ‘OPTIONAL’ and must be situated on the extreme left of the plate. This must show the 12 stars and the GB letters. For travellers in the European Union, the use of Euroflag plates on the rear of the vehicle may be used instead of the oval national identifier sticker.

B - Reflective
REFLECTIVE materials used must meet the requirements of BSAU 145d.

C - Borders
OPTIONAL BORDERS can be up to 6mm wide in any colour and should not be retroreflective

D - Personalisation
PERSONALISATION must include the name of the supplying outlet together with the postcode. This can be in any size but cannot exceed an area greater than 178mm x 13mm. Situated centrally at the base of the plate.

E - Digits
DIGITS must be in the prescribed font style which measures 79mm high x 50mm wide. Grey tone digit style can be used if the luminance factor is no greater than that given for black (which is <0.05)

F - British Standard Number
BRITISH STANDARD NUMBER and means of identification of component supplier to be contained in an area of 57mm x 13mm

Age Identifiers

Date Range	Identifier	Date Range	Identifier
Sept 06-Feb 07	56	Mar 07 - Aug 07	07
Sept 07-Feb 08	57	Mar 08 - Aug 08	08
Sept 08-Feb 09	58	Mar 09 - Aug 09	09
Sept 09-Feb 10	59	Mar 10 - Aug 10	10
Sept 10 - Feb 11	60	Mar 11 - Aug 11	11

Area Identifiers

Where LMT means "Local Memory Tag"

LMT	DVLA Office	Local Identifier	LMT	DVLA Office	Local Identifier
A	Peterborough	A B C D E F G H J K L M N	L	Sidcup	U V W X Y
A	Norwich	O P R S T U	M	Manchester	A - Y
A	Ipswich	V  W X  Y	N	Newcastle	A B C D E F G H J K L M N O
B	Birmingham	A - Y	N	Stockton	P R S T U V W X  Y
C	Cardiff	A B C D E F G H J K L M N O	O	Oxford	A - Y
C	Swansea	P R S T U V	P	Preston	A B C D E F G H J K L M N P R S T
C	Bangor	W X  Y	P	Carlisle	U V W X  Y
D	Chester	A B C D E F G H J K	R	Reading	A - Y
D	Shrewsbury	L M N O P R S T U V W X  Y	S	Glasglow	A B C D E F G H J
E	Chelmsford	A - Y	S	Edinburgh	K L M N O
F	Nottingham	A B C D E F G H J K L M N P	S	Dundee	P R S T
F	Lincoln	R S T U V W X  Y	S	Aberdeen	P R S T
G	Maidstone	A B C D E F G H J K L M N O	S	Inverness	X  Y
G	Brighton	P R S T U V W X  Y	V	Worcester	A - Y
H	Bournemouth	A B C D E F G H J	W	Exeter	A B C D E F G H J
H	Portsmouth	K L M N O P R S T U V W X  Y	W	Truro	K L
K	Luton	A B C D E F G H J K L	W	Bristol	M N O P R S T U V W X  Y
K	Northampton	M N O P R S T U V W X Y	Y	Leeds	A B C D E F G H J K
L	Wimbledon	A B C D E F G H J	Y	Sheffield	L M N O P R S T U
L	Stanmore	K L M N O P R S T	Y	Beverley	V W X  Y

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What Documents Do I need?

On 1st of December 2005 the DVLA changed the documentation required to buy a Number Plate. The following now applies - In order to obtain a Number Plate you will have to provide verification of your current personal details and proof of entitlement to the registration mark quoted.

At least one original document from each of the lists below is required. The combination of the documents must be sufficient to check your name, address and the entitlement.

Proof of Identity:

Proof of Entitlement:

• The preferred document is a Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C).
• The tear - off slip (V5C/2) from V5C (Section 10).
• Certificate of entitlement to a mark (V750).
• Cherished transfer retention document (V778).
• Vehicle licence renewal form (VI 1).
• Temporary registration Certificate (V379).
• Authorisation Certificate (V948) with official DVLA stamp.
• A letter of authorisation from a fleet operator (including a lease/hire company). The letter must quote the document reference number from the V5C. Quoting the vehicle identification number is no longer acceptable.

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I want to register as a Number Plate Supplier

Please find all the information, costs and downloadable forms on the DVLA website here

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Emblem Flags

On the 28 December 2001 the Department of Transport released this press release

"Motorists in Great Britain will be able to display national flags and symbols on their number-plates, Minister for Transport John Spellar announced today.

Mr Spellar said:

"The Government has decided to legislate to allow the voluntary display of national flags and symbols on vehicle number plates. It is what the people of England, Scotland and Wales have asked for and strengthens their feeling of national identity.

"We did have initial concerns about the ability of enforcement cameras to read the plates but these concerns have been overcome through enhanced camera technology. I am pleased to be able to make this announcement today."

The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 will be amended to allow national flags to be displayed on the left hand side of the number plate, in the area currently set aside for the voluntary display of the Euro symbol and GB national identifier.

Vehicle owners will be provided with the option of displaying either the Union Jack, Cross of St George, Scottish Saltire or Welsh Dragon accompanied, if they wish, by identifiers such as GB, ENG, SCO, CYM, UK etc.Those who choose to display a national flag or symbol on their number plates in preference to the European circle of stars and GB identifier will be required to continue to display a separate GB sticker when travelling outside the United Kingdom.

Additional  Information
There has never been provision in law for the display of flags or symbols on vehicle number plates. However the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001, which took effect on1 September 2001, provided for the voluntary display of the Euro symbol and GB national identifier.

Under EC Council Regulation 2411/98 Member States are required to recognise number plates that conform with this Regulation (i.e. display the European circle of stars and distinguishing sign of the Member of State of registration on the extreme left of the registration plate). This enables motorists to circulate freely within the European Community without the need for a separate national identity sticker.

Representations have been made for the inclusion of national flags, in preference to the European circle of stars. When the legislation is changed to accommodate national flags, motorists who wish to take advantage of the facility will be required to display a separate GB decal when travelling abroad.

The police and enforcement agencies have advised that this easement will not have an adverse effect on law enforcement. Advances in camera technology mean that number plates will continue to be capable of being effectively read by roadside cameras.

Motorists will be permitted to display any combination of the following flags and literals:

Flags: Union Flag, Cross of St George, Cross of St Andrew (Saltire), Red Dragon

Literals: England, ENG, Great Britain, GB, United Kingdom, UK, Cymru, CYM, Wales, Scotland, SCO 

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Special Concession for Owners of Imported Vehicles

A concession which will permit some vehicles to continue to display motorcycle size number plates was announced on July 31st 2001 by Minister for Transport John Spellar.This will apply to certain imported cars, mainly from America and the Far East. It follows concerns about the cost of modifying vehicles which are designed for foreign markets and unable to display UK size number plates.

Minister for Transport John Spellar. said

"The introduction of this concession demonstrates that the Government listens and responds to the concerns of motorists.

"We have taken into account the views of enthusiasts, vehicle importers and the police. We have been assured that law enforcement agencies will be able to recognise and record the smaller character size.

"We are clear that the cost of modifying some of these vehicles, in particular those which originate from the USA, to take standard size plates would be costly and unfair. We intend therefore to allow them to display motorcycle size number plates."

Harry Tune, Chairman of the American Auto Club UK, welcomed the announcement:

"This really is a milestone in the history of the American car enthusiast in Britain. We so appreciate that a Government department has listened to us and been sympathetic to our needs.

"Over 90% of American cars, whether classic or modern, are manufactured with a motorcycle size number plate indent so this concession will benefit thousands of enthusiasts.

"I am absolutely delighted at today's news."

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency will commence a short consultation exercise prior to amendment of the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001.

Information courtesy of dtlr.gov.uk

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Number Plate Styles

1000's of different styles of number plates are available by mixing and matching number plate components.These are explained more fully in the Plates Components section. This page shows some of the examples of Plate Styles that can be made by interchanging, Digit styles, Reflective Backgrounds, Borders, Personalisation, Euroflag & Acrylic. Signam Number plates conform to the current legislation BS AU 145d.

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