Find clear answers to the most common questions about custom number plates, including legality, 3D gel and 4D acrylic styles, BS AU 145e compliance, delivery times and plate durability. MFX Plates provides accurate, up‑to‑date guidance to help you choose the right plates with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about our products and services.
What are the current UK number plate rules?
The law changed in September 2021, introducing the latest standard: BS AU 145e.
To be road‑legal, number plates must meet the following requirements:
Plates must be made from reflective material.
Front plates must display black characters on a white background.
Rear plates must display black characters on a yellow background.
No background patterns are allowed.
Plates must show the correct British Standard marking — BS AU 145e for plates fitted after 1 September 2021.
Characters must not be removable, reflective, or stylised.
For plates fitted after 1 September 2021, characters must be a single, solid shade of black.
What should I do if my number plates are stolen?
If your plates are stolen, report it immediately to:
The Police
The DVLA
This protects you in case your registration is used in criminal activity.
Can I drive my car if my number plates have been stolen?
No — it is illegal to drive without number plates on UK roads, even if you’ve reported the theft.
Driving without plates can result in:
On‑the‑spot fines
Penalties of up to £1,000
After reporting the theft, you must replace your plates before driving again.
Do I need a front number plate in the UK?
Yes. UK law requires both a front and rear number plate on almost all vehicles.
Do you get points for illegal number plates?
Currently, no penalty points are issued for illegal plates. However, you can be fined up to £1,000.
There is an ongoing proposal in the House of Commons to introduce 3 penalty points for illegal plates in the future, but this has not yet become law.
What makes a number plate illegal?
Several factors can make a plate illegal:
Incorrect spacing
Spacing must match the DVLA format shown on your V5C or V778/V750.
Bolt placement
Bolts must not alter the appearance of characters.
3. Wrong font
Only the Charles Wright font is permitted.
4. Incorrect background
Backgrounds must be reflective and must not contain patterns, colours, or stickers.
5. Incorrect colours
Front = white background Rear = yellow background Characters = black only
6. Invalid flags
Only approved flags are allowed, including:
Union Jack
St George’s Cross
Scottish Saltire
Red Dragon of Wales
Anything else is not permitted.
What documents do I need to buy replacement number plates?
To legally purchase replacement plates, you must provide:
Proof of identity
Driving licence
Passport
Utility bill (recent)
Proof of entitlement to the registration
V5C logbook
V5C/2 new keeper slip
V778 retention certificate
V750 certificate of entitlement
These are DVLA requirements for all plate suppliers.Can I be fined for dirty number plates?
Are tinted number plates legal?
No. Tinted, smoked, or coloured plates are not road‑legal in the UK.
Can I be fined for dirty number plates?
Yes. If your plates are too dirty to read, you can be stopped and fined.
On‑the‑spot fine: £100
Maximum penalty: £1,000
Keeping plates clean is a legal requirement.
What are Green EV number plates?
Green number plates were introduced in December 2020 for zero‑emission vehicles.
They feature a green flash on the left side and help identify fully electric vehicles. They do not affect legality — they are simply a visual indicator.
Are 3D and 4D number plates legal in the UK?
Yes — 3D and 4D plates are legal, provided they follow all DVLA rules. The confusion comes from older guidance and misinformation online.
As long as the characters are:
a single, solid black tone
the correct Charles Wright font
correctly spaced
fitted to a compliant plate (BS AU 145e)
…then 3D Gel and 4D Acrylic plates are fully road‑legal.
Will a 3D number plate pass an MOT?
Yes — a 3D number plate will pass an MOT, as long as it meets all DVLA and MOT regulations.
A 3D plate is fully MOT‑compliant when:
The characters are black only (single solid shade)
The font is the correct Charles Wright style
The spacing matches the registration shown on your V5C
The plate displays the correct standard (BS AU 145e)
The plate is clean, undamaged, and fully readable
3D Gel characters are simply a raised, resin‑domed version of the legal font. As long as the plate itself is manufactured to the correct standard, it will pass an MOT exactly the same as a standard 2D plate.
Are Short Number Plates Legal in the UK?
Yes — short plates are legal as long as the characters remain correctly spaced and the plate follows all DVLA rules. The physical size of the plate can be reduced, but the registration itself cannot be compressed, rearranged, or altered to “fit”.
Short plates must still meet all legal requirements, including:
Charles Wright font
Standard spacing
Black characters only
BS AU 145e marking
White (front) / Yellow (rear) reflective backgrounds
If the spacing is changed or the characters are squeezed together, the plate becomes illegal.
Are Hex Number Plates Road‑Legal?
Yes — Hex plates (also called Lambo‑style or shaped plates) are legal as long as the registration is displayed exactly to DVLA standards.
The shape of the acrylic can be customised, but the legal elements must remain unchanged:
Correct character size and spacing
Charles Wright font
Single‑shade black characters
BS AU 145e marking
No tinted or coloured backgrounds
Fully reflective white/yellow plates
The shape is cosmetic — the legality comes from the characters and the plate standard.
How long do number plates take to arrive?
Most orders are dispatched the same or next working day once your documents have been approved. Delivery times vary depending on the shipping option you choose at checkout, but most customers receive their plates within 1–3 working days.
Do you fit number plates to vehicles?
We supply plates only. However, fitting is simple and can be done using sticky pads or screws. Both options are available on our website.
Do you sell show plates?
Yes — we offer show plates for off‑road or display use. These are not road‑legal and must not be used on public roads.
Can I cancel, return or exchange my number plates?
Because number plates are custom‑made to your registration, they cannot be returned, cancelled or exchanged once production has started unless there is a manufacturing defect. If there is an issue, contact us and we’ll resolve it quickly.
Do you offer discounts for trade or bulk orders?
Yes — trade accounts and bulk pricing are available. Contact us for more information.
Can I use sticky pads instead of screws?
Yes — sticky pads are a clean, secure, and popular fitting method. Just ensure the surface is clean and dry before applying.
Do you ship number plates outside the UK?
No — we currently only ship within the UK.
What happens if my documents are rejected?
If your documents don’t meet DVLA requirements, we’ll contact you to help resolve the issue.
Your order will not be processed until valid documents are provided.
Can I order plates for someone else’s vehicle?
Yes — as long as you provide valid proof of entitlement to that registration. This could be a retention certificate (V778/V750) or the vehicle’s V5C.
Are the plates pressure-wash safe?
Yes, our plates are designed to withstand regular cleaning, including pressure washing, when fitted correctly.
Will the lettering fade over time?
We use UV-resistant materials to help maintain colour, clarity, and finish over time.
What is the difference between 2D, 3D and 4D plates?
2D plates feature flat printed characters, 3D plates use raised gel lettering, and 4D plates have layered acrylic characters for a more defined look.
Can I customise spacing, borders, or badges?
Yes, customisation options are available on selected products. Please check the product page for available choices.
Will 3D, 4D, or Short/Hex Plates Pass an MOT?
Yes — 3D Gel plates, 4D Acrylic plates, Short plates, and Hex plates will all pass an MOT, as long as they meet DVLA and MOT regulations.
The MOT test does not fail a plate because of its style or shape. It only checks whether the plate is:
fully readable
correctly spaced
the legal Charles Wright font
a single solid shade of black
reflective (white front / yellow rear)
securely attached
marked with BS AU 145e
free from cracks, damage, or excessive dirt
What will fail an MOT?
Any plate that is:
tinted or smoked
spaced incorrectly
using non‑standard fonts
damaged, cracked, or unreadable
missing the BS AU 145e marking
using coloured or reflective characters
These will fail instantly.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major payment methods, including debit/credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal. All payments are processed securely.
Can I pay with Klarna, Clearpay or other pay‑later options?
Yes — you can choose Klarna/Clearpay at checkout for flexible pay‑later options.
Do you offer collection or same‑day delivery?
Yes — if you’re based in or around our Nottingham unit, we can arrange a collection time or even deliver your plates on the same day once your order and documents are confirmed.
Do you offer a warranty or guarantee on your number plates?
Yes — all of our number plates come with a 12‑month manufacturing guarantee. This covers:
Defects in materials (acrylic, gel, or 4D characters)
Manufacturing faults
Adhesive or bonding issues
Premature fading or delamination
If anything goes wrong due to how the plates were made, we’ll replace them free of charge.
Our guarantee does not cover:
Damage caused by incorrect fitting
Cracks or breaks from impact
Pressure washers used too close
Wear and tear from accidents or misuse
Plates that have been modified after purchase
Our promise
We only use premium materials and fully DVLA‑compliant components, so issues are extremely rare — but if something isn’t right, we’ll put it right quickly.
Still have a question?
If you have any other queries, feel free to reach out to us. Our knowledgeable team is here to help!