If you’ve been looking at upgrading your car’s look, 3D and 4D number plates are one of the most popular choices right now. But are they actually legal on UK roads?
According to the DVLA, 3D gel and 4D acrylic plates are fully road legal — provided they meet all BS AU 145e regulations. That means:
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Black characters on a white (front) or yellow (rear) reflective background
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No reflective or coloured lettering
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The plate includes your supplier’s name and postcode
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The BS AU 145e certification marking is printed
When they’re not legal:
If your plate uses tinted acrylic, non-standard fonts, or 3D characters that are too raised, it becomes a show plate — legal for display, but not for use on public roads.
At Custom Number Plates UK, we supply both road-legal and show plates, clearly labelled, so you can enjoy style and compliance.