Number Plates for Motorcycles: Complete Guide

Legal Requirements for Motorcycle Number Plates

Character Dimensions and Spacing

Motorcycle number plates have distinct dimensional requirements set out in the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001. Unlike car plates which use 79mm characters, motorcycles must display characters that are 64mm in height. This reduction accommodates the smaller mounting area available on motorcycles while maintaining legibility for Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and law enforcement.

Technical specifications for motorcycle plates:

• Character height: 64mm (all characters except 'I' and '1')
• Character width: 50mm (standard width, excluding 'I' and '1')
• Stroke thickness: 14mm (width of the lines forming each character)
• Character spacing: 11mm between individual characters
• Line spacing: 11mm between the two lines
• Margins: Minimum 11mm around the plate perimeter

The mandatory typeface for all UK number plates, including motorcycles, is the Charles Wright font. This font was introduced in 2001 specifically to improve ANPR readability and reduce cloning opportunities.

Charles Wright Font Guide

Two-Line Format Requirement

Motorcycle number plates must be arranged in a two-line format. This is not optional — it is a legal requirement under Schedule 2 of the Road Vehicles Regulations 2001. The registration number is split across two lines, with the age identifier and random letters on the top line, and the remaining characters on the bottom line.

Example: Registration "AB12 CDE" displayed as:

This two-line configuration is specifically designed for motorcycles due to space constraints. Attempting to display a motorcycle registration on a single line, or using an incorrect line break, renders the plate illegal and can result in MOT failure and potential enforcement action.

BS AU 145e:2018 Compliance

All motorcycle number plates manufactured after 1 September 2021 must comply with the updated British Standard BS AU 145e:2018. This standard replaced the previous BS AU 145d specification and introduced stricter requirements for plate durability and performance.

The Four BS AU 145e Requirements

• ✓

  Reflectivity:

  Plates must maintain consistent reflectivity for ANPR cameras equipped with infrared illumination. The reflective backing must not degrade, peel, or delaminate under normal use.

• ✓

  Impact Resistance:

  Motorcycle plates are exposed to road debris and vibration. The standard requires plates to withstand impact without cracking, shattering, or losing legibility.

• ✓

  Weathering Resistance:

  Plates must resist fading, cracking, or deterioration from UV radiation, rain, temperature extremes, and road salts throughout the vehicle's lifetime.

• ✓

  NIR Compatibility:

  Plates must maintain consistent Near-Infrared reflectivity to ensure reliable automated reading by police, toll systems, and parking enforcement cameras.

As a DVLA-registered manufacturer with RNPS ID 73132, we manufacture every motorcycle plate using BS AU 145e-certified substrates and reflective materials at our Ilford workshop.

BS AU 145e Explained Guide

Document Requirements for Motorcycle Plates

Accepted Identification Documents

Before we can manufacture any number plate, we are legally required to verify your identity and entitlement to the registration mark under Schedule 2 of the Road Vehicles Regulations 2001.

Proof of Identity:

• Valid UK photocard driving licence
• Valid passport (UK or EEA)
• Biometric Residence Permit
• EU national identity card

Proof of Entitlement:

• V5C registration certificate (log book)
• V5C/2 new keeper supplement
• V750 Certificate of Entitlement
• V778 Retention Document
• V948 Authorisation letter with official DVLA stamp
• Electronic V750 or V778 (email confirmation from DVLA)

Documents We Cannot Accept:

• Photocopies or scanned images (unless official DVLA electronic documents)
• Bank statements or utility bills
• Expired documents
• Documents in someone else's name without written authorisation

DVLA Document Requirements Guide | V5C vs V750 vs V778 Guide | How to Photograph Documents for Verification Guide

Motorcycle Plate Materials and Styles

Standard 2D Plates

Standard motorcycle plates use flat, screen-printed or digitally printed characters on a reflective backing. These are the most economical option and fully compliant with all legal requirements when manufactured to BS AU 145e standards.

3D Gel Number Plates

3D gel motorcycle plates feature raised characters created using UV-cured polyurethane gel resin (~2mm height).

Legal considerations: Gel must be transparent, characters readable from all angles, must not interfere with reflectivity, and must maintain Charles Wright font shape.

3D Gel Number Plates Explained Guide | 3D Gel Plates Motorcycles Complete Guide

4D Laser-Cut Acrylic Plates

4D motorcycle plates use laser-cut acrylic characters (3mm thick) bonded to the reflective backing for a pronounced raised effect.

Legal considerations: Acrylic thickness ≤3mm, precise Charles Wright font cutting, black acrylic must not reduce background reflectivity.

4D Number Plates Explained Guide

5D Dual-Layer Plates

5D motorcycle plates combine 3D gel and 4D acrylic technologies: 3mm laser-cut acrylic base + 2mm gel resin top layer (5mm total raised height).

Legal considerations: Total character height must not compromise legibility; both layers must be transparent/black; must maintain BS AU 145e compliance.

5D Number Plates Explained Guide

Plate Durability for Motorcycles

Motorcycle number plates face harsher conditions than car plates:

• Vibration: Constant engine and road vibration can cause poorly bonded characters to detach
• Weather exposure: Fully exposed to rain, wind, and UV radiation
• Road debris: Stones, grit, and water spray impact plates at high speed
• Temperature extremes: Must function in freezing winters and hot summers
• Cleaning: High-pressure washing and chemical cleaners can damage inferior plates

This is why BS AU 145e compliance is critical. Our motorcycle plates are specifically tested for the vibration and impact conditions typical of motorcycle use.

Number Plate Maintenance Guide

Replacement Motorcycle Number Plates

When You Need Replacement Plates

• Damage: Cracks, fading, or delamination from accidents, weather, or age
• Theft: Stolen plates require immediate replacement
• MOT failure: Non-compliant plates will fail your MOT test
• Upgrading: Switching from standard to 3D, 4D, or 5D plates
• Personalised registration: Transferring to a new registration mark

MOT Compliance Issues

Your motorcycle will fail the MOT if plates:

• Use incorrect character sizes (not 64mm height)
• Display characters in a single line instead of two lines
• Use non-standard fonts or spacing
• Are cracked, faded, or illegible
• Lack the required BS AU 145e marking and supplier identification

Replacement Number Plates UK Complete Buying Guide | Emergency Replacement Plates Guide | Number Plate Fitting Guide

Enforcement and Penalties

Number Plate Fines UK Guide

How to Order Motorcycle Number Plates

Same-Day Collection in Ilford

For riders in East London, we offer same-day collection from our workshop at Eastern Avenue, Ilford:

1. Bring your documents: V5C, driving licence, and/or V750/V778
2. Choose your style: Standard 2D, 3D gel, 4D acrylic, or 5D dual-layer
3. Verification: We check your documents on-site
4. Manufacturing: Plates produced in 30-60 minutes
5. Collection: Take your compliant plates the same day

Next-Day UK Delivery

If you cannot visit our workshop:

1. Upload documents via secure encrypted system
2. Verification within 2-4 hours during business hours
3. Manufacturing at our Ilford workshop
4. Dispatch via tracked next-day delivery with fitting instructions

Same Day Number Plates Ilford Guide | Number Plate Delivery Times Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Number Plate Guides

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