RULES FORB UK NUMBER PLATES

All number plates look the same for a reason- the colour and size of the plate, and the shape of letters and numbers is set out in DoT regulations. Its done that way so they are easy to read both by human eyes , and by the cameras and computers used in automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems.

Driving a car with altered plates - for example with characters modified to spell a word - is illegal, and you can be fined up to £1000 for illegal number plate offences . Here is a run down for current legal requirements for number plates :

• Number plates must be illuminated at night
• Plates must be legible and not obscured by dirt
• Size , colour, font and spacing most meet DoT regulations.
• Number plates must be manufactured to meet British Standard specification.
• EU or national GB/England?Scotland /Wales emblems are the only optional decoration permitted - in the standard position on the left of the plate .