Number plates play a pivotal role in ensuring our vehicles are legitimate, but also play a part in identifying certain characteristics of our plate, green striped plates are no exception.
This blog will answer the question ’What is the green stripe on a number plate?’
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.)
When do I need a new number plate?
Getting a replacement number plate can be done at the vehicle user’s discretion, it only becomes a legal requirement if your plate is damaged to a point where its characters can’t be read clearly, or if the plate is not securely attached to the vehicle (and you want a new plate instead of re-attaching it)
Any vehicle you use on the road must have a number plate. Number plates are assigned to vehicles on an individual basis, meaning unless you purchase and register a private plate, anytime you are buying a new number plate it must have the same characters as before.
If you wanted your replacement plate to be unique, you can purchase gel or Hex plates, which are special plates with a unique appearance to the characters, and the shape of the plate respectively.
This is something that Bespoke Plates offers, whether it’s a show plate, gel or Hex plates, or even standard number plates, We have it all, including green striped plates, but are green striped plates a new style? Or is it a sign of something else?
What is the green stripe on a number plate?
The green stripe on a number plate is legal requirement for any vehicle that operates exclusively on electricity. Essentially, the green stripe is an indicator to other road users, as well as ANPR systems that the car the plate is on, is a electric vehicle. But why is that important?
With ULEZ zones becoming more common, ANPR systems need a simple and effective way of monitoring vehicles that enter these zones, and whether their vehicle is eligible to be charged in accordance with the ULEZ stipulations. Hence the green stripe, which is a simple identifier for an electric vehicle.
Why is the colour green used for electric plates?
Electric number plates, or ‘green plates’ are given to vehicles for their environmentally friendly nature, specifically vehicles that operate using electricity exclusively.
Green connotes nature, the earth, trees, health, and much more. The terminology generally used for environmentally friendly processes or machinery is often ‘green’. This terminology also followed suit in electric vehicles and their plates.
How to order a green stripe number plate
Whether you want to replace your registration plate because of physical damage, 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 an electric 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.
If you choose to install through us, we can remove and replace your old registration plate, taking the hassle and hard work out of your hands. Of course, you can opt to remove your plate yourself.
Please note, if you are purchasing an electric vehicle number plate, it must not be for a vehicle that is not electric.
Can I get a number plate that is entirely green?
Yes, it is possible to get a number plate that is entirely green but to be completely clear, this kind of plate is not legal to drive with on public roads. These uniquely customisable plates are known as show plates. Show plates are made for decoration and serve no practical use.
Legality of green stripe number plates
When it comes to number plates for electric vehicles, they must follow the already established legalities of number plates in the UK, in addition to displaying the green stripe on the side of the plate. Below are the rulings of UK number plates.
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.
Where to get a green stripe number plate
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 ‘What is the green stripe on a number plate?’
We hope that we provided all the correct 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
