Is it illegal to have no front number plate in the UK?

Take a drive around the many roads and highways of the United Kingdom and you will notice that all vehicles display a registration number in the form of a horizontal plate. Front plates are white, yellow plates are black; and no matter whether the vehicle is a car, truck, or motorcycle, number plates are ubiquitous among road users.

Number plates are a unique code that contains information about the vehicle, driver, and even the year and location of the plate issue. This is useful when it comes to tracking history, or locating the rightful owner should the vehicle be stolen. It is also useful for visibility and can help to determine the front and rear of the vehicle under poor lighting conditions.

Number plate rules

There are some rules that must be followed when displaying your vehicle’s number plates to make sure that you are in compliance with UK motoring laws. 

Current DVLA legislation requires that plates are:

• Made from reflective material

• White with black letters for the front 

• Yellow with black letters for the rear

• Do not contain a pattern

• Display the maker of the plate

• Be marked with a British Standard number (after Sept 2021)

While the plate background must be made from a reflective material to be in compliance with the law, the plate characters must not be reflective. The lettering can be printed as a raised 3D character for an easier-to-read effect, our range of 4D number plates are made from high-quality materials and fully compliant. Letter styles and spacing also need to be of the approved size and height. 

Number plates MUST be displayed on the front and rear of all cars by law. Not displaying a front number plate on any car in the UK is illegal and a punishable offence. Having incorrectly displayed number plates can mean that your car can fail its MOT, and you could incur a fine. 

Motorcycles are not expected to comply with the same rules and if registered after 2001 are required only to display a single yellow rear plate. Pre-2001 models may display a front plate but it is optional and not required by law. 

Older motorcycle models that date from 1975 or earlier were required to display a white number plate on the front mudguard. The position of the front number plate meant that it was only visible from a side view and it was eventually phased out. 

We ensure all our number plates are compatible with UK reg plate law. If you’re wanting to get your own personalised number plate, use our plate search to find your ideal registration. If you’re looking for inspiration take a look at our name number plates or our wider range of personalised registrations plate inspiration.