New vehicles will showcase the latest 75 registration plates starting from September 1, 2025. Despite this, motor valuation experts at BigWantsYourCar have alerted that many drivers are still confused about registration rules and plate display guidelines.
Failure to comply with these regulations could lead to fines of up to £1,000 or MOT failure. A spokesperson from BigWantsYourCar.com expressed concern, stating that a significant number of motorists lack a full understanding of their number plates.
Understanding the significance of the letters and numbers on the plate is crucial to ensure compliance with regulations and maintain road legality. In the UK, every new car is issued an updated number plate sequence twice a year, on March 1 and September 1.
Cars registered between March 1 and August 31, 2025, will bear ’25’ plates, while those registered from September 1, 2025, to late February 2026, will display ’75’ plates.
Confusion persists regarding plate changes and permissible content. Even minor errors in spacing or formatting can render a plate illegal, according to information obtained by Manchester Evening News.
Experts emphasize the essential requirements that must be met, including using reflective material for the plates. The front plate must have black characters on a white background, while the rear plate should feature black characters on a yellow background.
It is crucial that the letters and numbers on the plate adhere to the approved font and meet strict sizing and spacing standards to avoid MOT failure and fines.
Additionally, compliance with the British Standard marking is crucial. Plates fitted on or after September 1, 2021, must adhere to BS AU 145e and display the British Standard.
Non-compliance with marking standards can lead to test failure, emphasizing the importance of adhering to plate regulations to avoid penalties.
Official guidelines stipulate that a vehicle’s number plates must include specific elements, as detailed in the INF104 leaflet, which provides information on character and number size restrictions.