For those opting to fit a registration plate holder onto their vehicles, there is limited information on how to do this, although we don’t recommend doing this unless you’re an expert, it is a valid option for those trying to save money.
In this blog, we are here to tell you how to fit a registration plate holder
As an established registration plate maker, we at Bespoke Plates know how to add a unique and distinctive finish to your vehicle registration plate, further stating a level of individuality that can be the finishing touch to a vehicle you have already customised.
Bespoke Plates is a renowned and legally certified registration plate maker and installer, with options of 3D Plates, 4D plates, Show plates, and 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.)
What is a registration plate holder?
A registration plate holder is essentially a frame that houses a registration plate, this ensures the plate has an extra level of protection whilst also (whether it’s customised or not) making your plate stand out just a tiny bit more.
Registration plates can be made from metal or plastic depending on where you purchase them from, and can be stuck to your vehicle’s bumpers via adhesive stickers or by drilling them in.
Are registration plate holders necessary?
Not at all, these are a totally optional extra, though we definitely think its worth considering especially if you have a customised plate.
How to fit registration plate holder
Fitting a registration plate holder is fairly simple, but shouldn’t be done by anyone who isn’t experienced in this field.
Firstly, open the plate holder, and place your plate inside the space to make sure it fits correctly before you install it.
You have two options when applying your plate holder, you can either drill it in or use sticky pads.
In most cases, we recommend screwing the plate holder in to ensure maximum security, but there may be cases in which drilling the bumpers of the vehicle may affect insurance etc. In this instance, we would opt to use the sticky pads.
What happens if a registration plate holder isn’t fitted?
An unsecured registration plate holder has more chance of falling off, this can result in you losing your plate, and possibly causing an accident if it dislodges on a public road. An unsecured registration plate holder may also result in you failing your MOT.
Opening a registration plate holder
The registration plate holders we offer, although they are secure, they are also relatively easy to open. Rest assured, they can only be opened through your actions and will not open randomly when driving etc unless it is incorrectly closed.
Around the bottom of the plate holder, you will find small grooves that protrude slightly, all you need to do is pull them in order to unlock and open the registration plate holder. Closing it is just as simple as making sure the latches click.
How does a registration plate stay in the holder?
Even though our plate holders fit are made for UK registration plates, of course, you don’t want your registration plate falling out whenever you open the plate holder, to avoid this you can simply use our sticky pads to attach the plate to the plate holder.
3D & 4D plates, are they legal?
A 4D car registration, or 4D registration plate, is an optional and legal accessory to your vehicle that is customisation on the standard registration plate, resulting in pronounced and 3D-looking characters.
Aside from 4D plates, you can also have 3D registration plates, which have a similarly pronounced effect on the plate characters, but with their own distinctions.
People generally opt for a registration plate holder once they upgrade their current registration plate to a gel 3D or 4D plate. But are these plates even 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 a massive 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 a plate maker 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
- The 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.
Read the full list of legal requirements here.
Do registration plate holders fail MOT?
No, registration plate holders, will not make your vehicle fail your MOT if it is installed correctly, however, there are circumstances that can affect this. These are:
- If the plate holder is covering characters on the plate.
- If the plate holder is not securely attached
Additional accessories
registration plate keyrings
Registration plate keyrings provide a thoughtful and unique gift for any car enthusiast, whether it’s on your house keys or car keys. Our keyrings can be personalised to make a word of up to 7 characters, which makes your keyring even more unique to you.
And as if that wasn’t enough, we also offer a variety of colours, these include
- White Standard
- White Tinted
- Yellow Hex
- Yellow Standard
- Yellow Tinted
- Yellow Tinted Chameleon
Order your personalised registration plate keyring today!
Stick pads
Stick pads are an alternative for those who don’t want to drill their vehicle and are looking for a less intrusive way to attach their plate to their bumper.
Screw packs
These screw packs are necessary for those opting to install their plate holder themselves, they are made specifically for the plate holders we supply.
Air Fresheners
There’s no point in having an amazing-looking car, with unique registration plates and features, if the interior stinks! Get some air fresheners to make sure your vehicle always smells fresh
Order a registration plate holder today
In this blog, we have highlighted how to fit a registration plate holder, whilst providing all the information you need in order to add this stylish customisation option to your vehicle. We hope that we provided all the right answers and options for all of your plate modification needs.
Bespoke Plates have 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,
England,
M8 8NN
