Drivers warned number plates could risk car

The vehicle leasing company Leasecar.uk is warning drivers to make sure their vehicle’s number plate is in line with the Highway Code, or else they could face a fine.

Many drivers hate being seen in a dirty car, but even when they don’t have the time to wash it, motorists should still make sure that their number plates are easily readable. 

Tim Alcock from Leasecar.uk explained how not regularly checking a vehicle’s number plate could see a driver face a fine.

He said: “Even having a small amount of dirt on the plates could risk it being classed as illegal, as the DVLA makes it clear all number plates need to be clean and easy to read.

“A new law was introduced in September 2021 which now requires any plates registered after that date need to be pure solid black lettering – no reflective or shaded characters are allowed.”

However, Tim added that drivers are still able to fit their car with number plates that show the world where they are from.

“The law does allow your number plate to have an official country’s flag – such as the Union Jack or the Red Dragon of Wales – or national identifiers – for example, GB, Cymru or Scotland.

“These flags or lettering cannot be on the number plate margin and they cannot be more than 5cm wide.”

Whilst many drivers will never remove a vehicle’s number plates during their time owning the vehicle, others take pride in buying a set of private plates.

However, owners should also be mindful that their plates have lettering that is 79mm tall and 50mm wide, and that the gaps between the letters should be 11mm.

In addition, if the private plates use the standard format of two letters, two numbers and three letters, they should not give the impression that the vehicle is newer than it actually is.

According to the Highway Code, vehicle number plates must be made from a reflective material, but the lettering must be a single shade of black.

It also adds that, whilst they can feature raised lettering and certain flags and identifiers on the left-hand banner, they should not have a patterned background.

If a vehicle’s number plates break these rules, not only would it fail its next MOT test, but its driver could also be faced with a fine of up to £1,000.