A spokesperson for the firm said: “There’s still confusion among drivers, with 14 percent of people not knowing how often registration plates are updated.
“While most motorists understand the basics, there’s a significant proportion who don’t realise how easy it is to fall foul of the rules, particularly around the display and format of number plates.”
Reflective Materials
Experts at Swansway Motor Group confirm that number plates must be made from reflective materials to ensure visibility at all times.
This helps registration numbers appear visible in the dark which is vital for law enforcement purposes.
Character Colours
According to GOV.UK, number plate characters must be black and displayed on different backgrounds depending on it’s location.
Front-facing number plates must display black characters on a white background with a yellow background required on the rear.
The rules also clearly state the registration plates must not be fitted with any background patterns.
Character Size and Spacing
Swansway Motor Group confirms characters must be of a “specific size and correctly spaced to comply with DVLA standards”.
Under most circumstances, letters and numbers need to be 79mm tall with a width of 50mm to comply with the rules.
Meanwhile, there must be an 11mm gap between characters and 33mm between groups of letters and numbers.
British Standard sticker
The sticker acts as proof that the number plate purchased has met certain legal specifications.
The marking should simply read ‘BS AU 145e’ for any designs fitted after September 2021.
Swansway Motor Group added: “The rules around number plates might seem minor, but the consequences of getting them wrong can be severe.
“Plates must be correctly displayed, without altered spacing or unauthorised designs. The message is clear: ensure your plates are legal, or you could face a significant penalty.”
