You can’t put any old number plate on your motorbike. If you don’t comply with the guidelines, you could face hefty fines, insurance hikes, and even driving bans. That’s why we’ve put together this guide, so you have everything you need to know, from legal size requirements to customisation regulations.
Why are number plates needed?
Great! You’ve got your licence and a brand-new two-wheeler. But you need something else before hitting the open road, and that’s a valid number plate. Not only is it the law, but it’s also important for protecting your bike and keeping it secure. For example, it can help the police identify your bike if it’s stolen and makes it easier to find your car’s details when dealing with insurers. They’re also vital for the government, as they use your registration number for tax and registration purposes.
What the law says about motorcycle number plates
If your bike was registered on or after 1st September 2001, you only need to display the registration plate on the back. For bikes registered before that, you can pop the plate on the front and back, but it’s not a legal requirement to put it on the front.
What’s the smallest legal number plate for a motorcycle in the UK?
Obviously, it’s important that your number plates are readable and visible. To ensure they are, the UK has the following regulations:
- Minimum size: The smallest legal size for a motorcycle number plate is 180mm x 100mm (7.1 inches x 3.9 inches). This size ensures that the plate remains visible and legible in all conditions.
- Character dimensions: Characters on the plate must be 64mm tall and 44mm wide. The number plate should also have a 10mm gap between characters and a 30mm gap between groups of characters.
- Reflective material: Plates must be made of reflective material to ensure they’re visible at night.
- Font and layout: The characters must be in the standard Charles Wright font, which is clear and easy to read. Custom fonts or styles aren’t allowed.
Do motorcycles need front number plates?
No, motorcycles in the UK don’t need to display a front number plate, regardless of when they were registered. This rule applies to all motorcycles, motor tricycles, and mopeds. It’s not a recent thing either—the rule has been in place since 1975, as the metal bars the number plates were mounted on posed a risk of injury in accidents.
Regulations on custom number plates
Getting a custom number plate doesn’t mean you can jazz it up with your favourite fonts. You must follow the standard font and size rules we’ve listed above.
Number plate flags
Looking to customise your number plate with a flag? You’ve got a few options, including the Union Jack, St George’s Cross, St Andrew’s Cross, the Red Dragon of Wales, or even the EU flag if your plate was made before Brexit.
You can also add national identifiers like “GB” (Great Britain), “ENG” (England), “SCO” (Scotland), “WAL” (Wales), or “UK”, which typically appear just below the flag. The flag and identifier should fit within a space on the left-hand side of the plate, usually around 50mm wide and 20mm tall, although there can be slight variations.
The character and spacing rules for motorcycle number plates
To ensure it’s legal and legible, you’ll need to ensure your plate follows specific character and spacing guidelines.
- Character height: Each character must be 64mm tall.
- Character width: Each character (except for the number 1 or the letter I) must be 44mm wide.
- Stroke width: The thickness of each character stroke must be 10mm.
- Spacing between characters: There must be a 10mm space between each character.
- Spacing between character groups: There must be a 30mm space between groups of characters.
- Margins: The margins at the plate’s top, bottom, and sides must be at least 11mm.
For more detailed information, visit the DVLA’s official website, which provides all the rules and regulations for number plates.
The difference between British and Northern Irish number plates
British and Northern Irish motorcycle number plates have a few key differences:
Format
- British Plates: Usually look like AB12 CDE, where “AB” is the area code, “12” is the age identifier, and “CDE” is a mix of random letters.
- Northern Irish Plates: Can have formats like ABC 1234 or ABZ 1234, which differ from the British style.
Identifiers
- British Plates: You can add things like “GB”, “ENG”, “SCO”, “WAL”, or “UK” and a flag on the left side.
- Northern Irish Plates: Typically, Northern Irish plates don’t include these identifiers or flags—they stick to regional formats instead.
Personalisation and transferability
- British Plates: Easy to transfer between vehicles and follow a more standardised format.
- Northern Irish Plates: Often more sought-after for personalisation and can be transferred to vehicles across the UK, sometimes having a higher price because of their unique formats.
If you don’t comply with motorcycle number plate regulations
Dodging motorcycle number plate rules can put you in a spot of bother, from fines and vehicle inspections to impacting your insurance.
- Fixed penalty notice: You might be fined if your plate isn’t up to standard. This usually happens if your plate’s size, font, or spacing isn’t compliant.
- Vehicle inspection: If your bike’s pulled over for a check and the number plate doesn’t comply, it could be flagged for inspection. This could lead to further fines or having to fix the plate before you’re back on the road.
- Prosecution: In more severe cases, especially if there’s a pattern of non-compliance, you might end up in court. This could lead to a hefty fine or even a driving ban.
- Insurance impact: If your plate is deemed illegal, your insurer might refuse to cover or raise your premium. It’s worth keeping everything above board to avoid any nasty surprises.
Motorcycle number plate misconceptions
Now, let’s debunk a few common myths about motorcycle number plates.
- Engine size exemptions: Some people think different engine sizes mean different rules, but that’s not true. All motorcycles must follow the same number plate regulations.
- Temporary plates: Temporary plates don’t have different rules. They still need to meet the standard size, font, and spacing requirements.
- Vehicle age: Older bikes don’t get a free pass either. Even if your bike is a classic, the number plate must still comply with current regulations.
So, are small bike plates legal?
While small bike plates are legal, they need to meet the legal size, font, and spacing requirements set out by the DVLA. The smallest legal motorcycle number plate size in the UK is 180mm x 100mm, with specific character size and spacing rules to keep things clear and readable. If you tweak your plate beyond these guidelines, you could face fines and vehicle inspections, which might even affect your insurance premiums.
If you need guidance or cover for your motorbike, get in touch with Devitt. We’re the go-to experts for motorbike insurance, so you can count on us to find you the right cover.
Here’s what you can expect from us:
- Great prices: Get covered without breaking the bank.
- 24/7 claim line: Report claims anytime with our round-the-clock helpline.
- Instant documents: Receive your insurance details right away.
- Fast service: Enjoy efficient service every time.
- Friendly UK support: Talk to our helpful and knowledgeable UK-based team.
To get a quote for your motorbike, fill out our online form. You can also call us at 0345 872 3614 for a friendly chat and guidance on number plates and motorbike insurance.