Just like the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot, 5D Plates seem to be a whispered term that is thrown around without knowing whether the mysterious creations exist or not.
Number plate modifications are worth big money, with the private number plate industry, predicted to be worth £1.3 billion alone by the end of the year! At Bespoke Plates, we completely understand the hype as we think that adding custom and personalised plates to any vehicle is a brilliant way to make a modification that does not have to cost an arm and a leg!
So, is there such as thing as a 5D number plate? Keep reading to add some dimension to this much-asked question!
Do 5D plates exist?
Despite the numerous search results that pop up when searching ‘5D Plates’ online, they DO NOT exist. Instead, the various websites that use this name are just doing so to secure the traffic of willing consumers looking for a new number plate modification.
This doesn’t mean you can’t achieve the style that you would probably be looking for a custom number plate has piqued your interest as both 3D number plates and 4D custom plates offer a sleek look.
You will also commonly see number plates marketed as ‘hybrid custom plates’, which are said to offer the best of both 3D and 4D design. This is again a motoring myth as these plates are just variations of the traditional custom plate but with a price tag that will cost you more.
What custom number plates do exist?
If you are disappointed to have learned that 5D number plates are not a real thing, hopefully, the option of a 3D or 4D number plate will fulfil the needs that you have. We can assure you that these number plates offer a slick update which positively impacts both the vehicle’s look and the owner’s happiness. Win-win as far as we are concerned!
As DVLA-approved number plate manufacturers, we can offer the following custom number plates to you:
3D Number Plates – prices start from £40.00
3D plates are bespoke number plate creations that gain their name from the manufacturing method. This involves applying the long-lasting resin on top of 3D gel letters for a raised finish. 3D plates boast a beautiful shine as they are made with polyurethane gel resin which provides a smooth finish. Completely legal, this custom plate is favoured for its subtle nod to the modification industry whilst still maintaining a standard look and feel to the naked eye.
We also make it super simple for you to choose which forms of modifications you would like in either legal or show car form. You can therefore choose from any of the following options:
- Bespoke gel letters – Select from carbon, glitter, galaxy, or black letters in a style of your choice.
- Border design – Choose from our variety of 3D plate border styles, of why all are road safe.
- Choice of plates – Select the front, back, or both.
Our 3d plate designs are all 100% street legal and comply with the British Standard for Number Plates (BS AU 145e). All plates are also complete with relevant markings and words to ensure that the result is entirely compliant. As professional producers of bespoke solutions, we guarantee that every product is legal.
If you are looking for a subtle upgrade that still provides the wow factor, this is the plate for you.
4D Number Plates – prices start from £50.00
If you are looking for something that will make more of a statement, and be closely matched to the effect that a 5D plate would provide, then our 4D custom plates are the product for you. 4D plates gain their raised and boxy profile by applying 3D acrylic characters and then surrounding them with a 4D gel resin. This provides more of a raised look for the letters and numbers, which is accentuated by the glossy finish that these plates boast.
4D number plates are not just visually beautiful but also highly practical for road use as the durable construction can withstand any motoring bumps or scrapes that a standard number plate but not be able to survive. They also suit a whole host of vehicles, as you can see from our number plate gallery, meaning you don’t have to have a brand-new car to be able to invest in this form of vehicle modification.
Like our 3D number plates, 4D plates are road legal, providing you with complete peace of mind that your car will not be subject to hefty fines.
What are the benefits of choosing a 3D or 4D number plate?
Yes, custom number plates are visually striking and set your vehicle apart from the rest, but there are lots of other benefits to choosing one of the designs. These include:
Enhanced durability: Not only is it helpful if number plates are durable, but it is also a legal regulation under the number plate changes announced in March 2022 by the DVLA.
The changes outline that Plates now need to be tougher and extra-durable to withstand destructive materials that can be found on the road. This is because not only is it illegal to have a broken number plate on your vehicle, but debris on the road is one of the main causes of other accidents.
Both 3D and 4D number plates offer enhanced stability thanks to the industrial-strength resin and acrylic that are used to create the striking finish.
A sleek finish: There is no denying that both 3D and 3D number plates offer a beautiful finish. From the raised characters to the high-shine design, the luxe finishes provide a contemporary look for vehicles of any age. With people keeping their cars for longer to offer better value for money, investing in a custom plate is a great way to make older cars look newer.
Improved visibility: The defined characters also improve the visibility of number plates, making them more effective in bad weather than standard options. This also means plates can be picked up easier on traffic cameras and are also more obvious for pedestrians and cyclists, contributing to improved safety on the road.
MOT and 100% road legal compliant: As both types of custom number plates are fully compliant with the British Standard for Number Plates (BS AU 145e), they are also MOT compliant. It is a common misconception that custom number plates are not legal, which is a subject matter that we work hard to educate people on.
If a number plate complies with the requirements outlined by the DVLA, they are fine to us on the roads. To further support this, when you purchase a custom number plate, you will also be provided with paperwork which confirms their legal certification if a DVLA-approved manufacturer has provided them.
Simple to have made: 3D and 4D number plates are also quick to make, meaning they offer one of the quickest ways to upgrade the look of a vehicle.
3D and 4D plates can also be made in show form to provide a striking marketing tool: Perfect for PR events, shows, or even for giving as a gift, the non-legal versions of these plates can be modified as much as you would like. Whether you want something for a new product launch or a memorable gift for a loved one, custom plates offer the full creativity that we are huge fans of.
You must be the registered owner to choose a new plate and will be asked to provide the following:
- Proof that you are the owner using either the V5C or V5CNI logbook, V5C/2 or V5C/2NI new keeper slip, or the V778 certificate.
- A form of ID which proves your name and identity, such as your driving license, passport, or a utility bill
Once the legal side of things is dealt with, these handcrafted products are often available within a couple of days. They also offer an affordable way to upgrade your vehicle.
Why should I choose a custom number plate from Bespoke Plates?
If you had your heart content on a 5D number plate, we understand that hearing they don’t exist is probably a bit of disappointment! Hopefully, though we have proved that both 3D and 4D number plates will still provide you with the bespoke finish that you were after!
When you choose to invest in a custom plate from us, our 5-star Google-rated service means you will benefit from:
- Plates that are made to last thanks to the industrial strength materials that we exclusively use.
- Support from purchase right through to installation which means you don’t have to worry about a thing.
- Excellent customer service and access to a knowledgeable team of professionals who are all motoring industry experts.
- Have a choice of many different modifications for affordable prices.
Whilst we can’t provide you with 5D plates, we can offer you lots more modification options to choose from that all pay homage to the styling that you would have been looking for in a 5D plate.
