Are reg plates allowed to be cut/trimmed?
Discussion
Trying to work out if reg plates have to be a certain size, or if they can legally be cut down to suit, here is the info from the .gov site, it gives information for character size and spacing but nothing about the over all dimensions of the plate itself.
The characters on a number plate need to be a certain height and size:
•characters must be 79mm tall
•characters (except the number 1 or letter I) must be 50mm wide
•the character stroke (the thickness of the black print) must be 14mm
•the space between characters must be 11mm
•the space between the age identifier and the random letters must be 33mm
•the margins at the top, bottom and side of the plate must be 11mm
•vertical space between the age identifier and the random letters must be 19mm
As highlighted in bold the margins must be 11mm, so does this mean that the excess background on the sides can be cut off?
It's an import sized plate so allowing for the 11mm margin and character spacing there's at least 50mm I'd be able to cut off from either side.
The reason for this is the car in question originally had a top mounted intercooler and now has a front mount but the reg plate blocks more than half of the frontal area off, the usual solution is to hack the bumper to bits cutting out the slats and the bit that the reg plate is screwed to and mounting the plate off to one side but I'd rather not go down this route as it ruins the bumper and makes the car look unsymmetrical.
I appreciate that it's not going to make a huge amount of difference but it costs nothing and any extra air flow to the intercooler and radiator is a bonus.
The characters on a number plate need to be a certain height and size:
•characters must be 79mm tall
•characters (except the number 1 or letter I) must be 50mm wide
•the character stroke (the thickness of the black print) must be 14mm
•the space between characters must be 11mm
•the space between the age identifier and the random letters must be 33mm
•the margins at the top, bottom and side of the plate must be 11mm
•vertical space between the age identifier and the random letters must be 19mm
As highlighted in bold the margins must be 11mm, so does this mean that the excess background on the sides can be cut off?
It's an import sized plate so allowing for the 11mm margin and character spacing there's at least 50mm I'd be able to cut off from either side.
The reason for this is the car in question originally had a top mounted intercooler and now has a front mount but the reg plate blocks more than half of the frontal area off, the usual solution is to hack the bumper to bits cutting out the slats and the bit that the reg plate is screwed to and mounting the plate off to one side but I'd rather not go down this route as it ruins the bumper and makes the car look unsymmetrical.
I appreciate that it's not going to make a huge amount of difference but it costs nothing and any extra air flow to the intercooler and radiator is a bonus.
Edited by s91 on Sunday 8th December 21:55
As long as you stick to all the other requirements and dimensions etc, including the margins, it is perfectly legal to reduce the size of the plate.
Editted to add, I think the regulations mention imported cars with strange number plate locations/sizes, but as yours is modified I'd go through the regs with a finetooth comb.
Editted to add, I think the regulations mention imported cars with strange number plate locations/sizes, but as yours is modified I'd go through the regs with a finetooth comb.
Edited by CanAm on Sunday 8th December 22:02
s91 said:
Yes exactly like that, although it's an import plate so two rows of characters.
If it's a foreign plate, I suspect that DVLA rules don't apply. If you get a jobsworth, it's the German/Italian rules and regs they will be looking at, but that's unlikely as you're only going to be wearing those plates in the UK for six months.
Roo said:
Or buy a legal import sized plate for it.
It's already got a legal import sized plate on it, 13" x 7" with the correct character size and spacing, BS number, and name and postcode of supplier.But across the width there's almost 5 inches in total of useless background.
I just want to know if I can cut away the excess background, if it's not legal to cut it down from the original 13" width then I wont bother.
Yes they are - you can have a smaller plate as long as it has the required room for the letters.
As shown, and contrary to most people's assumptions, there is no legal requirement for the size or indeed shape of the overall number plate, only for the numbers themselves. This is how e.g. the Rover 75 was able to have a non-rectangular rear plate.
same here - self adhesive front plate, correct character font / size / spacing, excess boarder cut off, no postcode / supplying dealer marks
Had it on the car for 4 years now - not had any issues
The original that was fitted by the dealer fell off - seriously !
(Its a very curved front - GT3 - holes made in front bumper too large)
Had it on the car for 4 years now - not had any issues
The original that was fitted by the dealer fell off - seriously !
(Its a very curved front - GT3 - holes made in front bumper too large)
RSTurboPaul said:
Exige77 said:
To be legal it must have the BS number and Post code.
Is it not the case that plate manufacturers have to include the BS Number and Postcode, but if the plate had been on your car for years 
it is not necessary because the legislation is not retrospective?In a real world situation it’s highly unlikely an otherwise legal plate would give you an issue by not having BS number and postcode.
RSTurboPaul said:
Is it not the case that plate manufacturers have to include the BS Number and Postcode, but if the plate had been on your car for years it is not necessary because the legislation is not retrospective?
Only if the plates were manufactured and fitted to the car prior to 1st September 2001. it is not necessary because the legislation is not retrospective?Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff