Front number plate (square) advice

I need to replace my front number plate. It's a square / rectangular one, 8" x 11". Is this the same size as a regular square plate or are the Hijet ones different? I want to make sure I get the right type of plate so any advice would be helpful - cheers!

You can fit either a square or an oblong one. You should be able to get one from Halfords or somewhere like that.

Depends on your reg number too.

8's 0's are much wider than 1's, and depends how many numbers you have.

Likewise an M, W are wide,

Mine I have done as a normal 1 line plate, then cut a a few inches of each end as my reg prints quite short.

I reckon that's a rectangular import plate ?

@Logi, yes I think it is, which is why I asked. I'm guessing the dimensions are different to a regular UK square plate?

Yes they are.

Import plates are wider but less tall from memory.

The lettering is also not the normal size.

And illegal if not on an import too..

There are three UK plates cars/vans must have either oblong 1 line or square 2 line car plates, motorcycles can have either a 2 line or 3 line plate but not 1 line car and bike square plates are different sizes and the letters/number size is slightly different and cutting them down is illegal as they have a minimum size (you can have bigger but the letters are the same size think rover 75's), Imports have an exception if the number plate mount cannot accept our standard plate. There are various age exemptions as well. But most plod wouldn't know so long as it looks about standard but there is always some busy body about to.

I'm pretty sure you are allowed any plate size, e.g. cutting them down is OK, as long as you meet the type font requirements including a certain amount of white/yellow around the characters.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_067666.pdf

The BS marks are in the corners so cutting down would remove these rendering it illegal and the construction and use type instruction you (used to) get with number plate making stuff (now they are printed) states legal plate size plus spacing and letter size.

When I worked in a main dealer it was transfers to make the plates up and we had an acrylic to go over the reflective and we had a small plate we got away with because when a luggage rack was fitted a full size plate would not fit and even though it had the proper size letters it was not legal.

But a short number and cut down would be overlooked unless you got a very busy body poking their nose in.

You only need to BS mark a plate if your manufacturing them for sale or supply.

Nothing stopping you from making a plate up for your own car at home as long as it meets the reflective requirements and the type face requirements.

The BS mark just proves that it meets the standard, thus fit for sale into the UK market place. Just because I cut it off doesn't alter the typeface or the reflective properties.

As far as I understand it the BS stamp is a requirement on anything registered after september 2001 and any new plates made as replacements with an exception for age related stuff like black and white plates.