A broken number plate is not only a massive inconvenience but can cause problems for other road users and yourself. In this blog we will be delving into the question ‘Can you drive with a broken number plate?’
Bespoke Plates is a renowned and legally certified registration plate maker and installer, with options of 3D Plates, 4D plates, Show plates, regular/electric vehicle plates and more. We are the one-stop shop for all things registration plates!
Whether it’s a private plate, gel plate, standard registration plate or plating accessories, we have you covered.
As a certified and experienced team of plate fitters and makers, our plates are installed to the specification of UK law, provided alongside the appropriate paperwork you need. (The only exception to this is show plates.)
Is a gel plate stronger than a standard plate?
Yes, gel plates have a nominal extra level of resilience compared to a standard number plate. This is due to the resin being used for the plate characters, creating an extra layer over the plate.
Are gel plates legal?
To clear up any confusion, plate modification, whether that be Hex plates or gel plates (3D & 4D), are 100% LEGAL if you stick to the outlined rules from the DVLA.*
*Please do your due diligence and research, some unverified registration plate providers may not be making their plates to the legal specification, which could become an inconvenience for you. Visiting Bespoke Plates is the best way to avoid this trouble.
Alternatively, using the government gateway to find licenced and approved plate makers is the best option for peace of mind and finding plate makers close to you. Enter your postcode on the government gateway website.
What are the legal requirements for a registration plate?
The legal terms that a registration plate must adhere to are:
- be made from a reflective material – for road safety
- black display characters on a white background (front plate)
- black display characters on a yellow background (rear plate)
- not have a background pattern – so as not to distort the readability of your plate
- be marked to show who supplied the registration plate – to assist with thefts and sourcing queries
- be marked with a British Standard number – this is ‘BS AU 145e’ for plates fitted after 1 September 2021
- Characters must not be removable or reflective. If your registration plates were fitted after 1 September 2021, they must also be a single shade of black.
You can find the full list of legal requirements here.
What can cause a number plate to break?
Although number plates are generally resilient, there are circumstances that can cause them to break. Here are the causes that contribute to this. (This will be referring to standard number plates that come with a vehicle.)
Number plates can break if:
- There is repetitive damage that eventually weakens the plate, causing it to break
- There is high velocity impact
- Attempted theft of a plate
- The screws of the plate are attached too tightly
- The plate comes off and is run over
Can you drive with a broken number plate?
You can drive with a broken number plate under one condition, it’s that the characters displayed must still be visible and readable. With that being said, any damage that chips off the edges of a number plate shouldn’t be an issue, nor should any superficial scratches.
You must also be aware that using a plate that is damaged poses a risk to yourself and other road users. If the damage on your plate has the capability to worsen and cause a complete break, it could end up being a road hazard whilst you drive, leaving you with an incomplete, or no plate altogether.
Why shouldn’t you drive with a broken number plate?
Driving with a broken number plate prevents your vehicle from being correctly identified through ANPR systems, and other road uses, should they require your vehicle details. Driving without a plate, or with a plate that can not be properly identified is illegal.
As a result, you could be subject to penalties and further action from authorities should you neglect this ruling and continue to drive with a broken number plate.
What’s the best way to replace a broken number plate?
Replacing a broken number plate is simple, depending on where you’re based, you can find local qualified plate makers, but for those who are looking to upgrade their plate whilst replacing it, Bespoke Plates is the best option, with the ability to deliver your plate to you, you can get one of our unique plates wherever you are.
Below is the process of ordering a plate.
How to replace your number plate
Whether you want to replace your registration plate because of physical damage or loss, or you just want a different style of plate, we at Bespoke Plates make the process easy and efficient. Here is the process.
By following these steps you will also have the option to see the plate before making a decision.
Visualising how your plate can look in real-time, with the characters from your actual registration plate, saves time and makes it easy for you to know what you want before you get it. Let us walk you through the process of choosing your plate through us.
- Head to the Bespoke Plates website
- Select the plate style you want under the “Build Your Plate” tab. Alternatively, you can follow this link.
- Enter your registration (You can press ‘preview’ to see your registration with all of the modification options you have selected.)
- When selecting your chosen plate, you can opt for 3D/4D options, a Hex plate, and whether or not you want a legal plate or a show plate.
- Select preferred optional accessories.
- Choose if you are collecting with installation, or if you want it to be delivered.
Installing through Bespoke Plates ensures the best service & secure installation for your number plate, along with guidance for any questions you may have.
What to do if your plate falls off and isn’t broken?
If your plate falls off from your vehicle, you should retrieve it immediately and place it in your vehicle behind your front windshield, to ensure it is visible whilst you drive back home. After this, locate a qualified plate maker or service that can professionally re-install your plate if it does not need replacing. Failing to do so may get you in trouble.
If it fell off during your drive and you haven’t noticed, do not drive again until you have a replacement or are going to install it.
What can cause my plate to fall off?
Number plates can come off for a number of reasons, here are the most common.
- Screws on the plates may have become loose over time.
- Physical damage to the vehicle.
- Attempted theft/theft of the number plate.
- Improper installation of the plate.
- Road hazards loosening or damaging the plate and its screws
Upgrade your number plate today
In this blog, we have highlighted our plate options, and the information you need in order to our stylish customisation option to your vehicle. We aim to have answered the question ‘Can you drive with a broken number plate?’
We hope that we provided all the right answers and options for all of your plate modification needs.
Bespoke Plates has all the options you can ask for, as an approved registration vendor we can guarantee your modification abides by the DVLA rules whilst offering same-day collections and full fitting service.
To get in touch and discuss the full fitting service we offer with our plates you can talk to one of the members of our team by:
Email
info@bespoke-plates.co.uk
Phone
0333 006 7878
Visit in-store
36A Broughton Street,
Manchester,
M8 8NN
