Top 5 Questions We Get Asked – May Edition
After the great response to our April Q&A, we’re back with another round. We’ve picked out five more questions we’ve been asked by customers over the last few weeks. These are real things people want to know, and we’re here to give you straight, no-fuss answers.
Let’s get into our top 5 for May.
1. Are short plates legal in the UK?
Yes, short plates can be legal, but it depends on how you use them.
A short plate is basically a number plate that’s been made smaller to fit a shorter registration, like “J4 MES”. If your reg is short, you don’t have to stick to the standard width. You can have a plate that fits your reg exactly.
But the key thing is this: the font, spacing, and character size all still have to follow DVLA rules. You can’t squeeze the letters together just to make the plate look neater.
So short plates are fine as long as they’re made properly. At Legal Show Plates, we can cut plates to suit your reg and still keep them legal.
2. Is it illegal to space your number plate?
Yes, it is.
Playing around with the spacing on your plate might look cool to you, but it’s not allowed. DVLA rules say your number plate must have the correct spacing between characters, or it’s considered illegal.
We see a lot of people try to turn “J45 PER” into “J4 5PER” to spell a name. That’s not going to pass an MOT and can get you stopped by the police.
Stick to proper spacing. You can still have a great looking plate without breaking the rules.
.jpg)
3. Are hex plates legal?
This one’s coming up more and more lately.
Hex plates, or six-sided number plates, are trendy and different from the usual rectangular shape. They’re mostly used on show cars or at events. While there’s no direct rule that bans them, DVLA guidelines say number plates must be rectangular.
So if you’re thinking about driving around every day with a hex plate, the answer is no, it wouldn’t be considered legal. If you want something stylish and still within the rules, a well-designed 4D or gel plate is a better shout.
4. Do you get points for an illegal number plate?
You can. And that surprises a lot of people.
Driving with an illegal number plate can lead to more than just a fine. If the plate is altered in a way that affects how it’s read, like wrong font, illegal spacing, or tinted covers, police can issue penalty points on your licence.
It’s rare, but it does happen. Especially if your plate can’t be picked up by ANPR cameras.
More often, you’ll get a fine or a “vehicle defect rectification notice,” which gives you 14 days to fix it. But yes, points are possible and it’s just not worth the risk.
5. Are tinted plates legal?
No, tinted plates are not legal for everyday driving.
The DVLA says number plates must be easy to read in all conditions. If you tint the plate or the letters, that reduces how visible it is, especially at night or in bad weather.
It might look cool, but police cameras and MOT testers won’t agree. If you want something with a bit more style that’s still legal, try a 3D or 4D gel plate instead.
👉 Explore legal plate options here
That wraps up our May edition. If we didn’t cover your question, drop us a message and we might include it in the next one.
🚗 Want a plate that looks great and keeps you legal? Head over to our Online Plate Maker and start building your custom plate today. Same-day dispatch and no guessing, just clear and simple options that follow the rules.