Are Black And Silver Number Plates Legal?

Black and silver number plates are classic for a reason. Sleek and stylish, they complete the look of any classic car. But are they road legal? And who can use them?

This guide explains the rules for historic vehicles, what compliance requires, how to choose the right plate, and your options if you do not qualify.

Are Black And Silver Number Plates Legal In The UK?

Yes, but with strict conditions. Only vehicles constructed before 1st January 1980 and recorded in the DVLA's historic vehicles tax class are permitted to legally display black and silver number plates. Vehicles registered after this construction date, or not in the DVLA's historic tax class, cannot use these plates on the road. 

For all other vehicles, including those manufactured after 1st January 1980, black and silver plates are strictly for show and display use. 

Browse our classic metal pressed number plates to find road legal and show options.

Where the 1980 Rule Comes From

In January 1973, the UK made reflective white (front) and yellow (rear) plates mandatory for all newly registered vehicles. In the early days of UK vehicle registration, traditional black and silver number plates were introduced under the Motor Car Act, marking the beginning of the traditional number plate era. 

The change to reflective plates was driven by road safety research showing that white number plates with black characters on a white background at the front, and black characters on a yellow background at the rear, improved visibility at night, particularly on unlit rural roads. From that point, the old traditional black and silver format, featuring raised silver digits on a black background, was phased out for new registrations.

But the legislation did not require owners of older vehicles to change their plates. Vehicles already in use before that date retained the right to display the period-correct traditional black and silver format. That right remains in place today under the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001.

Does My Vehicle Qualify?

People often ask: are black and silver number plates legal for my car? Eligibility is determined by both the vehicle's construction date and the date of first vehicle registration. Your vehicle qualifies if it was constructed and first registered before 1 January 1980. Check your V5C log book, which serves as the official proof of vehicle registration and construction date, under the date of first registration. 

Your vehicle also has to be registered in the historic vehicles tax class with the DVLA, also known as historic vehicle tax exemption. 

Road Legal Eligibility at a Glance

Note: As of 1 January 2021, only vehicles constructed before 1 January 1980 and registered in the historic class are eligible to display black and silver number plates. Vehicles built after this date, even if over 40 years old and recorded in the historic class, are not eligible to display these plates.

What Road Legal Black and Silver Plates Must Comply With

Even when displayed on eligible vehicles, black and silver number plates must comply with the British Standard for number plates, specifically meeting all technical requirements contained in the new British Standard (BS AU 145e) - with the exception of the modern reflective background. Only number plates produced by a registered number plate supplier are considered legal. 

These technical requirements include character font, size, spacing, stroke width, and mandatory supplier details on the reverse. Non compliance with the standard for number plates can result in MOT failures, on-the-spot fines of £100 (rising to £1,000 if prosecuted), and insurance issues, as insurers may refuse to pay out if the plates do not meet DVLA regulations. 

If a vehicle is found with illegal number plates, the police may issue a Vehicle Defect Rectification Notice, requiring the owner to replace them with legal plates within 14 days. Persistent non compliance can lead to the vehicle being flagged or suspended in the DVLA system, and in severe cases, registration rights may be revoked until the issue is corrected. A vehicle will also fail its MOT if the number plates do not match its age and tax status.

The Charles Wright 2001 typeface is mandatory on all road legal plates. Decorative fonts, italic styles, shadow effects, and unauthorised symbols are not permitted, even on classic vehicle plates, in line with DVLA guidelines. Character height, width, and stroke dimensions specified in the new British Standard must be observed. The colour scheme does not change the character specification. New number plates must not feature a euro symbol and must meet the necessary standard set by the DVLA.

Every road legal plate must carry the manufacturer’s name, postcode, and British Standard number on the reverse. A plate without these details is not road legal regardless of appearance. All plates supplied by Chase Lane Plates include the required details as standard, ensuring compliance with the British Standard for number plates.

Ready to order? Browse our road legal black and silver plates - every plate we supply is BSAU 145e compliant as standard.

Choosing the Right Plate for Your Vehicle

Black and silver number plates come in several formats. To be road legal, your vehicle must be properly registered in the historic class, and the V5C must reflect this status. Getting the size right matters for road legality and period-correct appearance, and choosing the correct plate from your nearest official supplier helps ensure compliance and avoids undue costs.

• Standard oblong (520mm x 111mm) - The correct format for most classic cars. Our classic oblong metal pressed plate is road legal and BS AU 145e compliant.

• Short oblong (420mm x 111mm) - The right proportions for 5 or 6-digit registrations where a standard 520mm plate would look wrong.

• Square motorbike format (9 x 7 inches) - The correct size for pre-1980 classic motorcycles. 

Our classic plates collection and metal pressed plates range cover all formats including Land Rover square plates and shorter registrations.

Black and Silver Plates for Classic Motorbikes

Classic motorcycles registered before 1 January 1973 can display the black and silver plates on the road under the same exemption as cars. The format is a square 9 x 7 inch plate, mounted typically on the rear mudguard or subframe bracket. It is essential to correctly fix the number plate to your motorbike, as improper fixing can result in legal issues or MOT failure. 

BS AU 145e compliance requirements are identical, and all road legal motorbike plates we supply meet them. Classic motorbikes eligible to display the black and silver plates must also ensure they comply with vehicle tax requirements, or if not in use, submit a statutory off road notification to the DVLA.

For more on motorcycle plate sizes, formats, and legal requirements, our ultimate guide to motorbike number plates covers the full overall picture.

What About Show Plates?

If your vehicle does not qualify, are black and silver number plates legal as show plates? Yes. You can order vintage number plates in the classic black and silver style for car shows, motorsport events, garages, and photography. 

Show plates must never be fitted to a vehicle driven on public roads, regardless of how authentic they look. Our show plates range includes classic black and silver options with no road legal restrictions on format or style.

Classic Black & Silver Plates From Chase Lane Plates

If you are unsure which style is right for your vehicle, it is always worth checking before you order. Our types of plates guide explains the different options clearly, including what is road legal, what is suitable for show use, and which style best suits your classic car.

Still unsure whether black and silver number plates are legal for your vehicle? Chase Lane Plates is here to help. Browse our range of road legal and show plates, or get in touch for expert advice before ordering - we will help you choose the right plate for your vehicle with confidence.