Drivers issued warning over £1,000 number plate | Tech News

A motoring expert has urged drivers thinking of buying a private number plate to follow four rules that can help them avoid serious complications, including fines.

Whilst many drivers are getting behind the wheel of a car with a new ’25-reg’ number plate, other buyers are thinking about updating their current model with a private number plate.

However, Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at the vehicle marketplace cinch, highlighted that there are a wide range of rules that drivers must adhere to when fitting new plates to their car.

He explained: “It’s very important to stay up to date about number plate rules. Not only is it about staying safe on the road, you could land yourself a fine if you don’t comply.

“From design to visibility, there might be some surprising rules drivers don’t know about.”

Whilst private number plates are typically purchased to make a driver’s vehicle look more unique, all registrations must conform to a strict set of rules to avoid fines of up to £1,000.

In particular, the plates must not feature a background pattern, being solid white on the front and yellow on the black, and have black letters in ‘Charles Wright’ font.

To make sure the plate can easily be read by ANPR cameras and other road users, each digit must be 79mm tall, 50mm wide, and have a space of 11mm between them.

In addition to the digits of the plate, Sam highlighted that a private registration must not feature the number ’25’ if the vehicle was registered before March 1 2025.

He added: “Those ‘25’ plates might look great, but you can’t put one of the fresh number plates on an older car to make it look newer. Try this and you can land yourself a fine.

“You can transfer your old number plate to a newer model or register your personalised plate to any car, of course.”

Finally, Sam urged drivers to avoid putting a green stripe on their petrol, diesel or hybrid model’s number plate, which can also land them a serious fine.

He continued: “If you add a green stripe to a petrol or diesel car’s plate, you’re breaking the law. This identifier is reserved for electric vehicles only.”

However, whilst green stripes are banned on non-electric models, drivers can put other icons, such as a country’s flag, at the side of their new number plate.