Import Plate Question

[chrisnic0]

Hi there,
bit of a random one, and I did search but couldn't find any info.

I have a JDM import, currently with UK Legal plates on. Am I able, in theory to mix and match UK sized lettering on the back and import spec on the front?

Any help much appreciated

Cheers

[Saleen836]

Guessing the same rules apply to JDM imports as my US import, standard size plate on the front but due to the aperature on the rear being smaller I am allowed to run a smaller plate with smaller letters/numbers on the rear, they still have to be a certain size though

[TommoAE86]

AFAIK if you wanted to run a smaller front plate you can have personalised numberplate with fewer letter then you can shrink the plate to fit the front mount while still having the legal letter dimensions and spacing as per the guidelines?

That's if you wanted to be 100% legal you can probably get away with just having a smaller plate on the front and you won't get picked up in this day & age.

My experience is that the square UK sized plates fitted just fine on both my '93 Skyline and my '06 Crown and I have no issues at all. In Utopia I'd love to run the original Japanese plates on both my cars

[FlammableTulip]

I’d do it how you want.

You only really fail an MOT for plates if it’s obviously got dodgy spacing or tiny/butchered letters, weird font etc. Police won’t care unless they’ve seen you driving like an idiot and you fail the attitude test, even then I very much doubt there’s a rule about having import sized lettering on your front plate only.

[ChunkyNat]

Hi mate,

I’ve done exactly what you’re describing.

Please see images. This is a plate from jdm plates and then the front is from Fourdot, as small as I could get.





Honestly, who’s going to care what my thought!

[C5_Steve]

I believe the rules are you're supposed to run UK sized plates if you are physically able to, however, if the number plate gap only allows import-sized plates those are then acceptable. As long as the lettering is the correct size your ok.

On my old Evo 8 I ran a Jap sized plate at the front due to the front bracket being that size specifically but a UK sized one at the rear, however on my 300ZX it was Jap size front and back as the rear bumper only allowed that size.

Never had any issue with either. Currently have the same with my Corvette, the plates are US size but the lettering is UK spec. IMO cutting your plate down unnecessarily to a weird size is asking for more trouble than either of those options as it just looks odd even if the lettering is the right size.