UK Number Plate Font, Size & DVLA Legal Rules
Number Plate Legal Font - Charles Wright
The mandatory font specified in the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 is the Charles Wright font. It is illegal for any vehicle being used on the public highway to have a number plate which does not conform to the usage of this font.
Download the Charles Wright (UK Number Plate Font) here.
Motorists whose vehicles bear number plates, which have been customised
by means of stylised letters and figures such as italics or the placement
of number plate fixing bolts must replace them or risk prosecution.
Number Plate Font Size and Display
All number plates must be made using the new mandatory font size and
display requirements.
Please note: The images on this page are for reference only and may differ from any products actually received. Any queries must be raised prior to
ordering your acrylic plates.
All vehicles (except motorcycles) manufactured after
1 January 1973
| Characters |
Size |
| Height |
79mm |
| Width |
50mm |
| Stroke |
14mm |
| Side margin |
11mm |
| Top & bottom margin |
11mm |
| Space between characters |
11mm |
| Space between groups |
33mm |
Motorcycles
| Characters |
Size |
| Height |
64mm |
| Width |
44mm |
| Stroke |
10mm |
| Side margin |
10mm |
| Top & bottom margin |
10mm |
| Space between characters |
10mm |
| Space between groups |
30mm |
Vehicles Manufactured before 1 January 1973
- The number plates may be the traditional "black and white" style
plates, i.e. white, silver or grey characters on a black plate.
- Lettering must be of a set size. Vehicles(except motorcycles) must
conform to group 1 or 2 below.
| Characters |
Group 1 |
Group 2 |
Motorcycles |
| Height |
89mm |
79mm |
64mm |
| Width (except the number 1) |
64mm |
57mm |
44mm |
| Stroke |
16mm |
14mm |
10mm |
| Side margin |
25mm |
11mm |
10mm |
| Top & bottom margin |
13mm |
11mm |
10mm |
| Space between characters |
13mm |
11mm |
10mm |
| Space between groups |
38mm |
33mm |
30mm |
Number Plate Legal Rules — Frequently Asked Questions
-
All UK number plates must use the Charles Wright font, as specified in the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001. Using any other font — including italics or stylised lettering — is illegal for vehicles used on a public highway. You can download the official Charles Wright font from the link above.
-
For vehicles (except motorcycles) manufactured after 1 January 1973: characters must be 79mm tall, 50mm wide, with a 14mm stroke. Side and top/bottom margins are 11mm, space between characters is 11mm, and space between groups is 33mm. Motorcycles use slightly smaller dimensions: 64mm character height and 44mm width.
-
Yes — stylised letters, italic characters and decorative fonts are illegal on UK number plates used on public roads. This includes plates with characters altered by fixing bolts placed within the letter outlines. Motorists displaying such plates risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.
-
Vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1973 may use traditional black and white style plates — white, silver or grey characters on a black background. These must still conform to specific size requirements (Group 1 or Group 2) as specified in the regulations, though the dimensions differ slightly from modern plates.
-
UK law requires all vehicles to display a number plate at the front and rear. The front plate must show black characters on a white background; the rear plate must show black characters on a yellow background. Both plates must be clearly visible and correctly illuminated at night.
-
UK number plates must be made from a retro-reflective material and must meet British Standard BS AU 145d. Acrylic (plastic) plates are the most common legal format for modern vehicles. The plates must not be altered, obscured or allowed to become difficult to read.
