Are 4D Number Plates Road Legal?

Yes, 4D number plates are road legal in the UK, provided they comply with DVLA regulations and meet all British Standard (BS AU 145e) requirements. This means the characters must be of a single shade of black, the correct character stroke width, and the right height and spacing. Our 4D number plates are created using premium acrylic and high-quality materials to ensure every plate meets the legal requirements for road use.

BS AU 145e is the British Standard that governs all road legal number plates in the UK. It sets out specific requirements for reflectivity, durability, character spacing, and font style, ensuring that every registration plate can be clearly read in all lighting conditions. Every legal number plate made by a registered number plate supplier like Chase Lane Plates is tested to confirm it meets this standard.

What Makes a Number Plate Road Legal?

For a number plate to be road legal, it must follow strict DVLA regulations. This includes using the correct font, size, and spacing of characters, a single shade of black for lettering, and approved reflective backgrounds — white at the front and yellow at the rear plate. The plate must also display the supplier’s name, postcode, and the BS AU 145e certification mark to prove it has been made by an approved plate maker. These legal requirements ensure the plate can be clearly read by cameras and authorities across the UK.

Are Black and Silver Number Plates Road Legal?

Black and silver number plates are road legal only for vehicles registered before 1 January 1980 and officially listed under the Historic Vehicle Tax Class. For modern vehicles, electric vehicles, or motorcycles registered after this date, black and silver plates are not road legal. Instead, drivers must use plates with black characters on a white front and yellow rear background that meet DVLA and British Standard requirements.

How Can I Buy a Road Legal Plate?

Purchasing road legal number plates in the UK is straightforward, but there are specific steps to follow. To ensure your new plates are fully compliant, you must buy them from a registered number plate supplier such as Chase Lane Plates. When ordering, you’ll need to provide valid documents that prove your identity and entitlement to the registration number. Once verified, you can use our number plate builder to create your preferred plate style — whether standard size, smallest legal number plate, or motorcycle plate.

Classic Oblong Metal Pressed Number Plate - 520mm x 111mm - Brushed Silver

Close-up of brushed silver raised letters on a black metal pressed number plate

Classic Oblong Metal Pressed Number Plate - 520mm x 111mm - Brushed Silver

Chase Lane Plates

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Our Classic Oblong Metal Pressed Number Plate - Brushed Silver gives the traditional black and silver plate a brighter, metallic finish. Sized at the standard 520mm x 111mm and designed for vehicles manufactured before 1980, it pairs a black background with raised characters in a brushed silver effect that catches the light.

The pressing process gives crisp, sharply defined characters with the embossed look expected on classic and vintage vehicles, and the oblong shape suits most classic cars.

Compliant with BS AU 145e standards, our road legal plates are suitable for use on UK roads when supplied with the required proof of entitlement and identity, and displayed in line with current DVLA regulations. Also available as a show plate.