Can I put a private plate on a motorcycle or moped?

Yes, you can display a personalised registration on a motorcycle or moped, just like any other vehicle. The plate must be fitted to the rear of the machine and meet DVLA standards for visibility and legibility. Mopeds (under 50cc) have slightly different rules, so it is worth checking your specific vehicle category with the DVLA before purchasing.

Are there any restrictions on personalised plates for motorcycles?

Motorcycle number plates must comply with the same character rules as car plates — no special characters, fonts, or spacing tricks are allowed. The plate must be clearly visible and not obscured by the rider's position or any part of the bike. Age identifier plates using the 2-letter, 2-number format cannot be assigned to motorcycles, so personalised plates on bikes tend to be from the prefix or dateless format.

Do motorcycle number plates have to be the same size as car plates?

No, motorcycle plates are smaller than car plates due to space constraints. A standard motorcycle plate is 190mm x 110mm, compared to 520mm x 110mm for cars. They must still display the same format, font size, and DVLA identifier — the smaller size is a legal accommodation, not a looser standard.

Which plate formats work best on a motorcycle?

Dateless and prefix-format plates are the most popular choices for motorcycles. Dateless plates (e.g. ABC 123) carry no age identifier so they suit any bike regardless of age. Irish (NI) plates are also a popular choice as they are dateless and tend to be more affordable.

How do I transfer a private plate onto my motorcycle?

The transfer process for motorcycles is the same as for cars. Your bike must have a valid MOT, current road tax or SORN, and be registered with the DVLA. You apply through the DVLA online (available 7am–7pm) or by post using a V778 retention certificate or V750 certificate of entitlement. New Reg can manage the transfer on your behalf when you purchase through us.

Featured Numbers:

XIW 718

BUY
£995

1 SRX

BUY
£25,990

All

Current

Prefix

Suffix

Dateless

Cherished Number Plates Search

To find a list of private registrations that meet your requirements, just indicate the desired number of digits, letters, or numbers. This search method is particularly useful for potential investors who are seeking affordable cherished dateless plates..

Prefix Private Registration Plates

Prefix number plates are a popular and eye-catching style of vehicle registration. They were issued between 1983 and 2001, and the prefix indicates the year of registration. The first letter on the plate signifies the year in which the vehicle was registered, followed by a unique combination of numbers and letters. Prefix plates have become highly sought after due to their distinct design and age-related significance. Additionally, they offer personalisation options for drivers looking to add a unique touch to their vehicles.

Suffix Private Plates

Suffix style registration plates were introduced in 1963 and were in use till 1983. The registration plates comprise three letters, one to three numbers, and a final letter indicating the year of registration, starting with "A" for 1963, "B" for 1964, and so on. If you are interested in purchasing a suffix private plate, you can utilise our easy-to-use suffix plate builder that provides instant results at an unbeatable price. With our platform, you can customise your plate by selecting your preferred letters and numbers to create a unique registration that reflects your personality. Our suffix plates are high-quality and legal for use on UK roads, so you can be sure of getting a great value for your money.

Current Style Car Registrations

The existing style of number plates is made up of seven characters. It starts with two letters, followed by a two-digit number and ends with three more letters. These registration plates can still be used to spell out words, for example: DE51 RED. This type of new number plate allows for a much larger number of combinations compared to the previous versions that were available before 2001. However, the letters "I" and "Q" are not allowed, but the letter "Z" can appear as part of the last three characters.

Number Plate Types

Motorcycle Number Plates

Personalised registrations for motorcycles, mopeds and scooters from £69. Fully legal, DVLA-registered transfer included.

Can You Put a Private Plate on a Motorcycle?

Yes — personalised registrations are fully transferable to motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters in the same way as cars. The DVLA transfer process is identical, and the plate must meet the same legal standards for font, spacing, and reflectivity. The only physical difference is the plate size: motorcycle plates are 190mm x 110mm rather than the 520mm x 110mm used on cars.

Which Plate Formats Work on a Motorcycle?

Not all registration formats can be assigned to a motorcycle. Current-style plates (e.g. AB12 CDE) with a two-digit age identifier cannot be used on bikes. The formats that work well are:

Dateless plates — no age identifier, fit any bike regardless of age, e.g. ABC 123 or JON 1
Prefix plates — letter prefix followed by numbers, e.g. J1 JON
Northern Irish plates — dateless and generally more affordable, e.g. GAZ 1
Suffix plates — numbers followed by a letter suffix, e.g. JON 1A

Motorcycle Plate Size Rules

Motorcycle number plates must be 190mm wide by 110mm tall — significantly smaller than the standard car plate. Despite the size difference, the same legal requirements apply: you must use the mandatory Charles Wright 2001 font, correct character spacing, a reflective white background, and black characters. The DVLA identifier and BS number must appear at the bottom of the plate.

How to Transfer a Plate to Your Motorcycle

The transfer process is the same as for any other vehicle. Your motorcycle must have a current MOT, valid road tax or a SORN declaration, and be registered with the DVLA. You apply online via the DVLA website (7am–7pm) or by post. If you purchase through New Reg, we handle the DVLA paperwork on your behalf.

Once the transfer is confirmed, you must display the new plates immediately. We can supply road-legal acrylic plates in motorcycle size, dispatched within 24 hours of identity verification.

Personalised Plates for Mopeds and Scooters

Mopeds (under 50cc) and scooters can also carry personalised registrations subject to the same DVLA rules. The key check is that the registration does not make the vehicle appear newer than it actually is — dateless and Irish plates sidestep this issue entirely as they carry no year identifier.

Motorcycle Plates at a Glance

Plate size: 190mm x 110mm
Best formats: Dateless, prefix, Irish
Current-style plates: Not permitted on motorcycles
Transfer process: Same as cars — online or postal
MOT required: Yes, for transfer
Prices from: £69

Transfer Included

New Reg handles the DVLA transfer when you buy through us.

Transfer Guide