Motorcycle Number Plates UK: Sizes, Rules & Legal Requirements 2026
Plate Guides · 3 March 2026 · 6 min read
A complete guide to motorcycle number plates in the UK. Covers legal sizes, font rules, BS AU 145e, and where to buy compliant motorbike plates.
Motorcycle Number Plates UK — Complete Guide
Motorcycle number plates have different size rules to car plates, but the same legal standards apply. If you ride in the UK, here's everything you need to know about getting the right plate for your bike.
Legal Size Requirements
Under BS AU 145e, motorcycle plates in the UK must meet these dimensions:
| Dimension | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Plate width | 228mm (9 inches) |
| Plate height | 178mm (7 inches) |
| Character height | 64mm |
| Character width | 44mm |
| Character stroke | 10mm |
| Space between characters | 10mm |
| Space between groups | 10mm |
| Margins | 11mm minimum |
Motorcycles only require a rear plate — there is no legal requirement for a front plate on motorbikes, mopeds, or scooters in the UK.
Layout Rules
Motorcycle plates typically display the registration over two lines:
- Line 1: Area code + age identifier (e.g., AB26)
- Line 2: Random letters (e.g., CDE)
The group gap that appears on a single-line car plate is replaced by a line break on motorcycle plates. Both lines must maintain the correct character and margin spacing.
What Plates Are Legal for Motorcycles?
All motorcycle plates must:
- Meet BS AU 145e
- Use the Charles Wright 2001 font
- Be manufactured by a DVLA-registered supplier
- Display the supplier's name and postcode
- Use retroreflective yellow material for the rear plate
Can You Get 3D Gel or 4D Motorcycle Plates?
Yes — 3D gel and 4D plates are available in motorcycle sizes. The raised characters are manufactured to the same BS AU 145e specifications, just at the smaller motorcycle dimensions.
At Limitless Plates, we offer motorcycle plates in:
- Standard printed — affordable and durable
- 3D Gel — glossy raised characters
- 4D — sharp laser-cut acrylic
- 4D Gel — premium combination finish
Common Mistakes with Motorcycle Plates
Oversized plates: Some riders fit car-sized plates (or "show plates") to their bikes. These are illegal if they don't meet motorcycle dimensions.
Wrong font or spacing: Custom fonts, altered spacing, or stylised characters are illegal and can result in a £1,000 fine.
Missing supplier mark: If your plate doesn't show a BS AU 145e mark and supplier details, it's not road legal.
Front plates: Some vintage or custom bike builders add front plates for aesthetics — this is fine as long as the mandatory rear plate is present and legal.
MOT and Motorcycle Plates
During an MOT test, the tester will check:
- The plate is securely fixed
- Characters are legible from 20 metres
- The plate meets BS AU 145e dimensions and font
- There is no damage, fading, or obscuring
A plate that fails any of these checks will result in an MOT failure.
Fitting Motorcycle Plates
Motorcycle plates are typically attached using:
- Screws — the most common method, using the bike's existing plate bracket
- Adhesive pads — suitable for smooth, flat surfaces
- Plate brackets — aftermarket brackets that bolt to the subframe or tail tidy
Make sure the plate sits vertical or within 30° of vertical — an excessively angled plate can fail an MOT.
Order Your Motorcycle Plates
Design your motorcycle plates with Limitless Plates. Choose your style, enter your registration, and we'll manufacture your plate to exact BS AU 145e motorcycle specifications. Same-day dispatch on all orders.