Are 4D Number Plates Legal?

The short answer is Yes 4D Number Plates are completely road legal and meet all British standards, There are a couple of stipulations all Number Plate Suppliers must follow to ensure the full legality. However, when done correctly they are more durable, better quality and more stylish than any other Number Plates.

If you’ve ever come across the term “4D” number plates, you might be wondering whether they are legal for use on UK roads. The good news is that 4D style number plates are indeed fully road legal, as long as they adhere to a set of important rules outlined by the government.

What are the rules behind 3D & 4D Number Plates?

1. Reflective Backing: The number plates must have a backing made from a reflective material, ensuring they are visible in different lighting conditions.
2. Solid Characters: The characters on the number plates should be solid black and displayed on a white or yellow background, enhancing their readability. There is some acrylic that does not pass this testing even though it looks good to the eye. We would recommend using an established supplier who understands all the nerdy stats and statistics behind the acrylic used.
3. No Background Pattern: It is important to note that background patterns, such as logos or honeycomb designs, are not allowed on legal number plates.
4. Charles Wright Font: The characters on the number plates must use the Charles Wright font, ensuring consistency across different plates. The dimensions of each character should be 50mm wide and 79mm tall.
5. Supplier Information: The bottom center of the number plates should display the company name and postcode of the Registered Number Plate Supplier. Additionally, the name of the material manufacturer and the British Standard code should be included in the bottom right corner.

What are the benefits to 3D & 4D Number Plates?

1. 3D and 4D Number plates are made from either black vinyl and a optically clear resin or black acrylic. This means you will never have a problem with longevity, The text will not bubble or fade and will always be clear enough to read, meaning you will pass every MOT with flying colours.
2. They are far more stylish, The DVLA did a survey and this showed 70% of people would like to buy a private registration if they have not already, This meaning that the owners of those private registrations deserve a product that stands out and these Number plates do just that!
3. They improve the look of your car entirely, Theres nothing more satisfying than an attractive car and we all know that number plates take away from that fact but unfortunately that is the law so why not make the best out of a bad situation and make the Number Plates look good, make them suit the car you’ve built.

Where can I buy legal 3D & 4D Number Plates?

If you are looking to build your very own 3D or 4D number plates, please see our Plate Builder. We have the most comprehensive and innovative designs and styles and as long term members of the number plate community we know all the laws and legislations and adhere to every single one.

https://www.nationwidenumberplates.com/shop/builder

If you would like more information on whats possible or would like a custom built design please contact us directly.

If you would like to look into all the shapes, sizes and designs and would like more information, We have a huge Plate Types page, This has everything you could possible imagine and provides great detail for you!

What the DVLA say about 3D & 4D Number Plates

According to information provided by the Gov.UK website, “Characters on a number plate can be 3D.” This statement clarifies that the term “4D” is simply an industry-standard name used to differentiate between 3D Gel Resin and 4D Laser Cut number plates. Despite being called “4D,” these plates are still considered 3D and are therefore permitted under current UK law. At NationwideNumberPlates, all of our number plates meet these legal requirements, ensuring that they are fully road legal. The DVLA themselves have verified the legality of our plates during their visit to our premises.

If you choose to use a pair of 3D gel or 4D laser cut number plates on your vehicle, you can rest assured that you won’t encounter any issues with law enforcement, MOT testing stations, VOSA, or the DVLA, as long as the plates comply with the aforementioned requirements.

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