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Are 4D Number Plates Legal in the UK?

4D number plates have surged in popularity thanks to their eye-catching, multi-layered design. It’s Yellowhite’s best seller when users order premium private plates! If you’re wondering if 4D number plates are legal, then the answer is, if you’re buying from Yellowhite, Yes! We only make fully compliant, legal private plates.

What are 4D number plates?

4D number plates are an evolution of 3D plates: they feature raised characters with multiple layers of acrylic that create a sense of depth and reflectivity. Unlike standard flat plates, which have printed numbers and letters on a single surface, 4D plates use:

  • Multi-layered acrylic construction: The 4D effect is achieved by stacking two or more layers of acrylic or gel-like material, giving characters a pronounced edge and shadow appearance.
  • High-gloss finish: A reflective top coat enhances legibility and creates the illusion of movement as light hits the surface.
  • Precision-cut font: Characters are laser-cut to DVLA-approved dimensions, ensuring consistency in size and spacing.

This combination of depth and reflection makes 4D number plates stand out, but they must still meet all legal requirements for sizing, spacing and visibility.

4D laser cut private plate on car - plate printers

Are 4D number plates legal in the UK?

Yes, 4D number plates are legal in the UK, provided they fully comply with DVLA regulations on style, size, spacing and materials. Any deviation from these specifications could render the plate illegal and risk fines or an MOT failure. Don’t risk it from dodgy retailers, buy from Yellowhite, we’re authorised DVLA number plate suppliers! 

DVLA guidelines on 4D number plates

According to the DVLA, all number plates must adhere to British Standard BS AU 145e. Key rules include:

  1. Character dimensions: Each letter or number must be 79mm tall and 50mm wide for characters like ‘1’ and ‘I’, with a 14mm stroke width for all other characters.
  2. Spacing: There must be 11mm between each character, 33mm between the two groups of characters, and 11mm from the top and bottom edges of the plate.
  3. Reflectivity: Plates must be yellow (rear) and white (front) with a reflective finish to ensure visibility in low light.
  4. Font: Only the prescribed Mandatory ‘Charles Wright’ typeface is acceptable.
  5. Manufacturer’s details: The plate supplier’s name and postcode must appear in the bottom of the plate.

Need more detail on DVLA specs? See our guide: DVLA number plate documents explained

What to consider before buying a 4D number plate

Before investing in a 4D plate, weigh the following factors:

  • Cost: 4D plates typically cost more due to the materials and time it takes to create. We hand make all 4D plates in the Yellowhite office. The 4D private plates will cost £59 compared to £29 for standard plates.
  • MOT compliance: Ensure your plate remains fully legible under all lighting conditions. Any obscured or stylised character can lead to an MOT fail. Again, and this page risks sounding like a stuck-record; Yellowhite’s private plates are made to be 100% DVLA compliant and road legal so you don’t have to worry about anything.
  • Legal compliance: If not buying from Yellowhite (crazy as that sounds) you must verify your supplier is an authorised plate maker and that every dimension, font and spacing detail is correct.

Should you switch to 4D plates?

Switching to 4D number plates can elevate your vehicle’s appearance while remaining within the law, so long as you choose a reputable supplier and follow DVLA guidelines. If you value style and are willing to pay a premium for enhanced aesthetics and durability, 4D plates add that extra touch of awesome.

Ready to upgrade? Visit our private plates shop to order your bespoke 4D private plates today.

FAQs.

Yes! So long as they meet all DVLA specifications for font, size, spacing, and reflectivity.

They shouldn’t, provided they remain legible and undamaged. Any illegible characters can lead to an MOT failure.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras read reflective and raised characters just as they would on standard plates, with no drop in accuracy.
No. There’s no impact on your insurance policy from fitting 4D plates. You only need to mention them if your insurer specifically asks, although most do not.

No! 4D plates use multi-layer acrylic for depth and reflectivity, while ghost plates use subtle, semi-transparent methods to hide a number plate from cameras. For the complete deep-dive, see our guide on Ghost Number Plates

We read that too. We chuckled! But the truth is that some outlets mistakenly reported on ghost plates, which have stricter DVLA scrutiny and conflated them with 4D plates. In reality, 4D plates remain fully legal when made to DVLA standards.

For the complete deep-dive, see our guide on Ghost Number Plates

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