Reg Plates UK: Types, Rules & Where to Buy (2026 Guide)

Reg plates — short for registration plates — are the mandatory identification plates that every vehicle on UK public roads must display. They connect the vehicle to the DVLA’s register and serve as the primary identifier for police, ANPR cameras, insurance, and MOT systems. This guide covers the different types, the legal requirements, and where to buy compliant plates.

Types of UK Reg Plates

The UK has used several registration formats over the decades. The type of registration tells you approximately when a vehicle was first registered:

Format	Period	Example	Has Year ID?
Dateless	Pre-1963	ABC 1 / 1 ABC	No
Suffix	1963–1983	ABC 123A	Yes
Prefix	1983–2001	A123 BCD	Yes
Current (DVLA format)	2001–present	AB26 CDE	Yes

Physical Plate Types

Regardless of the registration format, the physical plate itself can be:

• Standard — flat printed characters on retroreflective background. From £6.99 at Car Plates Pro.
• 3D Gel — raised gel dome over each character. From £9.99.
• 4D Laser-Cut — precision cut acrylic raised characters. From £9.99 (pair £18).
• 4D Gel — raised acrylic plus gel coating. From £13.99 (pair £23).

All four styles are road legal under BS AU 145e.

Legal Requirements for All UK Reg Plates

Every road-legal reg plate must comply with BS AU 145e:

• Charles Wright 2001 font — no substitutions
• Black characters, white front background, yellow rear background
• Correct character height (79mm), width, spacing and margins
• Supplied by a DVLA-registered supplier who has verified identity and entitlement
• Supplier’s name, postcode, and BS AU 145e mark on the plate face

Non-compliant plates result in MOT failure and fines up to £1,000.

Displaying Reg Plates: Key Rules

• Front plate: must be white, displayed at the front of the vehicle
• Rear plate: must be yellow, displayed at the rear, illuminated at night
• Both plates must show the same registration number
• Plates must not be obscured by tow bars, bike racks, or covers
• Tinted covers are banned (since BS AU 145e 2021 update)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “reg plate” mean?

Reg plate is short for registration plate — the plate that displays your vehicle’s unique registration mark assigned by DVLA. Every vehicle on UK public roads must display front and rear reg plates.

Can I order reg plates online?

Yes. Order from a DVLA-registered online supplier like Car Plates Pro. You enter your registration, choose your style, upload proof of ID and entitlement, and your plates are dispatched same day (before 2PM) with next working day delivery.

Are 3D and 4D reg plates legal?

Yes. Both 3D Gel and 4D Laser-Cut/Gel plates are road legal under BS AU 145e 2021, provided they use the correct font, sizing, and retroreflective backgrounds.

What do the letters and numbers on a UK reg plate mean?

In the current format (e.g. AB26 CDE): the first two letters identify the DVLA registration area; the next two digits are the age identifier (year and half-year); the final three random letters complete the unique combination.

Related Reading

• Standard Number Plates: Full Legal Guide
• Number Plate Design Rules UK
• Cherished Reg Plates: Dateless Registrations
• Replacement Reg Plates UK