"Facts" these days usually bear some checking. People sometimes seem to confuse reality with what they would like reality to be. When those people begin sharing their version of "the facts", well, life can get a bit muddled. This tendency even extends to the subject of number plates.
When the penalties for not complying with the number plate rules are both expensive and inconvenient, it really does pay to know what's true and what is not.
Here are a few number plate myths and inaccuracies that have spread on social media at one time or another. We'll try to make it all a little clearer.
Claim 1: 3D/4D number plates are legal/not legal
It depends: It's not a simple yes or no situation. It varies according to which type of number plate we're talking about.
Faux-3D plates
The old, flat-printed style of faux-3D number plates, where the 3D effect was achieved by printing flat characters with shading or texture to make them appear three-dimensional, are no longer legal.
Registration numbers printed on number plates must now be in plain, solid black characters.
3D gel plates
These plates have physically raised characters made from polyurethane gel resin and so are genuinely 3D, unlike the obsolete printed variety. The characters have a rounded appearance and look softer than the more angular "4D" variety described below.
3D gel plates are not technically illegal, as long as they comply with all number plate regulations, legislation and standards. Characters have to be solid black, so textures such as the previously popular carbon fibre effect are not allowed.
Gel plates, like all acrylic number plates, must meet the colour and reflectivity requirements; characters must be non-removable, permanently affixed to the plate and must use the correct typeface, sizes and spacing.
"4D" plates
We're not sure who first coined this daft term but, regrettably, it has become the industry standard label for plates that use sharply defined, physically raised characters to create genuinely three-dimensional number plates.
4D plates are not technically illegal, but problems arise when they don't fully comply with all regulations, legislation and standards governing the display of UK car number plates. As with 3D gel plates, the backgrounds and characters used on 4D plates must meet the colour and reflectivity requirements; characters must be permanently affixed to the plate and must use the correct typeface, sizes and spacing.
The main issue is one of readability. Police have stopped some drivers because, in the police's opinion, their 4D number plates had characters raised to such an extent that they had become hard for humans and cameras to read. The media has reported that a number of London taxi drivers with 4D plates have received fixed penalty notices and, in some cases, have been compelled to retake MOT tests.
Many manufacturers boast that their plates feature characters raised by as much as 5mm. As characters that stand out from the plate to that extent may leave the owner open to fines and other penalties, Regtransfers only supplies 4D number plates with characters raised by 3mm. This gives an effective three-dimensional appearance without risking a run-in with the police.
Clear as mud
It is easy for people to get confused. The terminology is nonsensical: the original, flat printed, "3D" plates are, in reality, two-dimensional, while "4D" plates with raised characters are really three-dimensional!
Additionally, it has been very difficult to find clear, definitive information from the DVLA or the DfT regarding 3D and 4D number plates. The status of 4D plates in particular doesn't seem to be adequately clarified anywhere so their legality seems, in effect, to be dependent upon the police's opinion.
Claim 2: It is legal to display my number plates upside down so long as I don't alter the characters or cover the plate.
This is false.
At least one post shared widely on social media claimed that turning your number plate upside down would defeat ANPR cameras in ULEZ (ultra-low emission zones) without breaking the law. The belief was, apparently, that as the process only involved moving the plates and not physically modifying them, it would not be illegal.
The DVLA has plainly stated that turning plates upside down is illegal and can earn a fine of up to £1000.
The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 state that nothing must be done to number plates that “has the effect of changing the appearance or legibility of any of the characters”, makes it “less easily distinguishable to the eye” or “impairs the making of a true photographic image of the plate through the medium of camera and film or any other device”.
The key phrase here is "has the effect of changing the appearance or legibility of any of the characters". So physical alteration of the plates is not necessary: just making them look different is enough to get the driver into trouble.
Claim 3: Number plate sprays and paints that block cameras are legal because they only coat the number plate and don't actually change it
This is false.
West Yorkshire Police say:
"No, it's against the law.
Any interference with the number plate to make it less easily distinguishable to the eye or which would impair the making of a true photographic image is against the law.
Although the spray does interfere with flash photography, many speed cameras have Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology that uses infrared, thereby making the spray ineffective.
You could be liable for a substantial fine if you are found guilty of using such a spray."
Claim 4: I can legally block traffic and ANPR cameras by installing bright visible and infrared LED lights around my number plate, so long as they don't physically touch the plate
This is false.
The LED lights in question are not reliable and, where they do work, they break the law. Again, the key part of the explanation is “Any interference with the number plate to make it less easily distinguishable to the eye or which would impair the making of a true photographic image is against the law.”
“Any interference” includes interference from lights and sprays etc.
Claim 5: I can legally use some kind of special frame or cover to prevent cameras capturing my registration number
This is false.
You know what we're going to say.
“Any interference with the number plate to make it less easily distinguishable to the eye or which would impair the making of a true photographic image is against the law."
Hey, don't shoot the messenger. We're just trying to save you from unnecessary trouble and expense.
Summary
This bit is true!
Almost anything you may do that prevents the naked eye or cameras from clearly seeing and recording your registration plate is likely to be against the law.
Breaking number plate regulations can result in fines of up to £1000, MOT failure and permanent loss of your registration number without compensation.
Get your own, fully-legal, personal number plates
When you purchase a private registration from Regtransfers, you can be sure that the plates you buy from us will be legal in all respects. Our plates comply with all standards and regulations and we will not mis-space or alter characters from the legal specifications, so please don't ask us to.
