Registration
Plates
Unregistered vehicles need not be fitted with registration plates.
Foreign, diplomatic and military vehicles
This inspection does not apply to foreign registered, diplomatic or military vehicles.
Vehicles first registered before 1 January 1973 may have registration plates displaying
white, grey or silver characters on a black background.
Three-dimensional characters may use grey edging or a chequered, carbon fibre
effect. These and some other style characters are permissible provided the font
style is adhered to and when viewed from approximately 20 metres the characters
appear predominantly black.
Note: A three-wheeled vehicle, which has a motorcycle derived front end, does
not require a front number plate.
Vehicle Identification Number
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN or chassis number) is required on all
vehicles first used on or after 1 August 1980, except those which are
• kit cars
• amateur built vehicles
If a VIN cannot be found the vehicle presenter should be advised of the likely
location of the VIN and asked to thoroughly search for the number with the aid
of the registration certificate. If following this action the VIN cannot be found,
or in circumstances where more than one different VIN is present the vehicle presenter
should contact the nearest Vehicle Registration Office
Vehicles registered before 1 September 2001, can be set out in either one,
two or three line formats, as illustrated below
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1.
Check that there is a registration plate at both the front and the rear of the
vehicle, and check each one for security and condition
2. On vehicles first registered on or after 1 January 1973, check
• the colour of the characters and background
• that the registration plates are fixed vertically, or as close to vertical
as is reasonably practical.
3. On vehicles first registered on or after 1 September 2001, check that the registration
plates do not display a honeycomb or similar effect background.
4. Refer to pages
4 - 6 and check visually that the characters are correctly formed, spaced, and
are not obviously likely to be misread due to, for example, badly positioned or
uncovered retaining bolts etc
5. Check that the vehicle is permanently displaying a legible Vehicle Identification
Number.
This can be either
• on a VIN plate secured to the vehicle, or
• stamped or etched on the vehicle body or chassis.
 Cherished Plates
Older style registrations must meet the registration plate requirements according
to the date of first registration of the vehicle, with a format style similar
to that illustrated below e.g. letters on one line, figures on another, or a larger
space between the two groups of characters
Northern Ireland Registration Plates
These are not age related and usually consist of three letters followed by four
numbers. They must conform to the same standards as other UK registration plates,
depending on the date of first registration. This includes the optional display
of the distinguishing sign of the UK.
Borders
Registration plates can optionally display a non- reflective border with a maximum
width of 6mm and not closer than 5mm to the characters |
1.
A registration plate
a. missing or incorrect
b. so insecure that it is likely to fall off
c. letter or figure missing or incomplete
d. faded, dirty, delaminated, deteriorated or obscured, (for example by a towbar)
so that it is likely to be misread or is not easily legible by a person standing
approximately 20 metres to the front/rear of the vehicle e. background overprinted
or shadowed with text e.g. vehicle manufacturer name
2. a. a front registration plate does not have black characters on a white background
b. a rear registration plate does not have black characters on a yellow background
c. a registration plate not fixed vertically, or as close to vertical as is reasonably
practical.
3. A registration plate obviously displaying a honeycomb or similar effect background.
4. A registration plate with
a. characters which are obviously not the correct height, character width, stroke
width, not of equal width along their entire length or incorrectly spaced
b. a character not correctly formed, sloping, or likely to be misread
c. any feature that has the effect of changing the appearance or legibility of
any of the characters, so that the true identity of the vehicle is less easily
established
d. characters formed using a font which is not substantially similar to the prescribed
font
e. characters formed using broken or multiple strokes
f. characters laid out in an incorrect format
g. a margin obviously less than the minimum requirement
h. a non-reflective border obviously wider than permitted or positioned too close
to the characters
5. a. a Vehicle Identification Number not permanently displayed or not legible,
or
b. more than one different Vehicle Identification Number displayed.
Note It is acceptable for a vehicle that has been manufactured as part of a multistage
build, (a modification taken place to a vehicle at the manufacture stage before
sold as new) to show more than one VIN. The second and subsequent stage VINs will
also be a 17 digit VIN and will be displayed on an additional plate. When a multistage
built vehicle is presented for test the last stage VIN must be used for MOT documentation.
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