Issue Date 06 June 2010
Information
Method of Inspection
Reason for Rejection
1. Check that there is a registration
plate at both the front and the rear
of the vehicle, and check each
one for security and condition.
1. A registration plate
a. missing or incorrect
b. so insecure that it is likely to
fall off
c. letter or figure missing or
incomplete
d. faded, dirty, delaminated,
deteriorated or obscured, (for
example by a towbar) so that
it is likely to be misread or is
not easily legible by a person
standing approximately 20
metres to the front/rear of the
vehicle
e. background overprinted or
shadowed with text e.g.
vehicle manufacturer name
2. On vehicles first registered on or
after 1 January 1973, check
· the colour of the characters and
background
· that the registration plates are
fixed vertically, or as close to
vertical as is reasonably
practical.
2.
a. a front registration plate does
not have black characters on
a white background
b. a rear registration plate does
not have black characters on
a yellow background
c. a registration plate not fixed
vertically, or as close to
vertical as is reasonably
practical.
Registration Plates
Unregistered vehicles need not be
fitted with registration plates.
Foreign, diplomatic and military
vehicles
This inspection does not apply to
foreign registered, diplomatic or
military vehicles.
Vehicles first registered before 1
January 1973 may have registration
plates displaying white, grey or silver
characters on a black background.
Three-dimensional characters
may use grey edging or a
chequered, carbon fibre effect.
These and some other style
characters are permissible provided
the font style is adhered to and when
viewed from approximately 20
metres the characters appear
predominantly black.
Note: A three-wheeled vehicle,
which has a motorcycle derived front
end, does not require a front number
plate.
3. On vehicles first registered on or
after 1 September 2001, check
that the registration plates do not
display a honeycomb or similar
effect background.
3. A registration plate obviously
displaying a honeycomb or
similar effect background.
Cont’d
Cont’d
6.3
Registration Plates and Vehicle Identification Number
