Yes. Raised acrylic characters are permitted when the finished plate complies with current requirements — solid black characters, Charles Wright font, correct spacing, and BS AU 145e reflectivity, plus supplier markings. Ours meet every requirement and display our registered RNPS ID (75449).

Yes, provided the finished plate meets the applicable format, spacing, colour, reflectivity and supplier-marking requirements. Ours are manufactured to meet every current requirement.

Yes — the laser-cutting method doesn't affect legality on its own; what matters is that the finished plate meets the current requirements, which ours do.

3D gel plates use raised polyurethane resin with a rounded, glossy finish. 4D plates use raised acrylic characters with sharp, defined edges. Both are road legal when manufactured to current requirements.

4D uses raised laser-cut acrylic characters with sharp, defined edges. 5D builds on that same acrylic construction with an added gel finish, giving a deeper, glossier appearance.

Yes — "4D gel" describes raised acrylic characters finished with a gel layer. At Plate-Maker, we manufacture this combination as our 5D Gel style. See 5D Number Plates.

No — "4D bevel" is just how some people describe our Bevel style, since it starts from the same raised acrylic base as 4D. The bevelled, diamond-cut edge is the distinguishing feature — see our Bevel Number Plates for the faceted-edge version.

Yes — borders are available as a legal option in the plate builder. Any border must stay within the applicable size and placement rules so it doesn't interfere with the plate's legibility or reflectivity.

No — when manufactured to DVLA standards, 4D plates are legal and read normally by enforcement cameras. Police attention is generally drawn by illegal "show plate" traits — wrong fonts, incorrect spacing, missing supplier markings, or prohibited effects like carbon fibre or ghost tints — not by a compliant raised 4D character. Our plates use the correct Charles Wright font and display the required supplier markings, so they're built to avoid exactly those red flags.

3mm gives a subtle, premium look suited to daily drivers and executive cars, and is our general recommendation for the best balance of style and ANPR readability. 5mm gives a bolder, more aggressive profile, popular on sports and modified cars. Both are manufactured to the same BS AU 145e requirements.

Our acrylic is UV-stabilised specifically to resist yellowing, cracking and delamination — it's built to hold its finish under normal UK weather and road conditions.

Yes. Our 4D plates are manufactured to BS AU 145e standards, including NIR (Near-Infrared) compatibility, ensuring they're readable by ANPR cameras, speed cameras, ULEZ checks and automated car park barriers.

Yes — if you drive a zero-emission vehicle, you can add the official Green Flash to your 4D plates, integrated during manufacture. Adding it to a hybrid or diesel vehicle is not permitted.

Our 4D number plates start from £17.45 per plate or £34.95 per pair. Use the plate builder above for the current price for your chosen configuration.

Yes. Enter your registration into our 4D number plate maker, choose your plate configuration, preview the design and upload the required documents at checkout.

Yes. You can order a front plate, rear plate or complete pair as a replacement, subject to the required identity and registration entitlement checks.

Yes. Once you hold the correct entitlement document (V750 or V778), we can manufacture 4D plates displaying that registration.

You'll need proof of identity (UK driving licence, passport, or two supporting address documents) and proof of entitlement (V5C, V750, V778, or other accepted document).

Yes. Same-day collection is available from our Ilford workshop — order by 2pm, Monday to Friday, and your plates are ready within 3 hours.

Yes. We manufacture 4D plates in standard motorcycle sizes (235mm x 178mm) featuring the legally required 64mm character height.

Use mild soap and water with a soft microfibre cloth. Avoid pressure washing directly on the raised characters, and avoid abrasive sponges or harsh chemicals.