Although using gel-style number plates to display vehicle registrations is legal, you must ensure that these plates conform fully to the UK rules and regulations that govern plates.
Gel number plates
Drivers seeking a new set of number plates for their car should be aware that the UK government has very strict laws that regulate them. This includes the colour of the plates themselves and the material they’re fashioned from. There are also rigid rules regarding the shape of the numbers and letters as well as the font that’s used to depict them. Even the spacing between the alphanumeric characters must follow guidelines. Drivers caught by the authorities on the road with a plate that flaunts the rules can be fined up to £1,000 and a plate that is not following the British standard can also run the risk of failing its annual MOT test.
This might seem like a long list of regulations and rules, but despite the demand for conformity from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), it’s still possible to add a little style to your plate.
From adding a national flag like a Scottish Saltire or a St George’s Cross, to framing your reg with a border, there are still ways to personalise a plate. One way to literally make your registration stand out is to opt for a gel resin number plate. Here at New Reg, you’ll discover gel number plates in a selection of formats to choose from. This premium style of number plate is perfect when you want to make an impression on the road or add a touch of modern class to your vehicle registration.
Gel resin number plates can be an ideal way to make your private reg truly special. When you’ve gone to the effort to track down and pay for a personalised plate, why not celebrate by showing it off on one of the most premium formats available?
What are gel number plates?
Gel number plates are made by applying a coating of polyurethane gel to sheet-cut letters and numbers in order to give them a raised profile when attached to a vehicle number plate. This contemporary style of displaying a car’s registration needs to be carefully manufactured to the highest quality, as per the British Standard.
Are gel number plates legal?
There can be no doubt that gel resin number plates can offer a more modern and stylish way to display your car’s reg, but are gel number plates legal?
Well, the good news is that providing that they adhere to all the regulations outlined in the Motor Car Act, gel-style plates is perfectly legal to use.
The gel-coated characters that display your reg must not feature a pattern and must be black on both front and rear plates. The plates themselves must be white at the front and yellow at the back. The material these plates are made from must be reflective, and this doesn’t include materials that have been treated afterwards with a finish to make them reflective.
Most laws regarding number plates are designed to make sure they are always clear for motorists and the authorities to read. Gel number plates have a three-dimensional effect which allows them to stand out well, but they must still use the standard Charles Wright font to depict them to be 100% legal.
Gel number plates are a higher-end option than standard two-dimensional registrations and because of this they command a higher price tag. If cost is a concern but you’d like a 3D effect on your plate, there is another option open to you. Plate makers can offer a two-tone style on letters that give them the appearance of being raised without the more expensive gel resin being applied.