Number Plate Spacing Rules UK: Legal Requirements & Common Mistakes
Plate Legality · 5 February 2026 · 5 min read
Incorrect spacing on number plates is one of the most common reasons for fines and MOT failures. Here's exactly what the law requires.
UK Number Plate Spacing Rules
Incorrect spacing is one of the most common reasons number plates fail an MOT or attract a police fine. Under BS AU 145e, the spacing between characters is strictly regulated — and deliberately altering spacing to spell words or names is illegal.
Legal Spacing Requirements
The current BS AU 145e standard specifies the following dimensions for standard-sized plates:
| Dimension | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Character height | 79mm |
| Character width | 50mm (except '1' and 'I') |
| Character stroke | 14mm |
| Space between characters | 11mm |
| Space between groups | 33mm |
| Top/bottom margin | 11mm minimum |
| Side margins | 11mm minimum |
The 33mm group gap is the space between the area code (first four characters) and the random letters (last three characters). For example, in AB26 CDE, the gap between '6' and 'C' must be exactly 33mm.
Common Illegal Spacing Tricks
Some drivers deliberately adjust spacing to make their plate spell a name or word. Common examples include:
- M45 TER spaced as MA5 TER to read "MASTER"
- P14 NOS spaced as PIAN OS to read "PIANOS"
- H4 CKS spaced as HACKS
All of these are illegal under the 2001 Display Regulations. The regulation is clear: the group gap must fall between the fourth and fifth characters, with no exceptions.
What Are the Penalties?
Driving with incorrectly spaced plates can result in:
- A £1,000 fine from the police
- An MOT failure — DVSA testers are trained to check spacing
- Being refused entry at certain car shows and events
- Your vehicle being flagged by ANPR cameras — misread plates can trigger false alerts
Can My Plate Maker Alter Spacing?
Any legitimate DVLA-registered plate supplier will refuse to make plates with non-standard spacing. At Limitless Plates, our system automatically applies the correct BS AU 145e spacing to every plate we manufacture — there is no option to customise spacing.
If a supplier offers to alter your spacing, they're breaking the law and risking your fine, not theirs.
What About Short or Square Plates?
Short and square plates still follow the same character and group spacing rules. The plate itself may be smaller, but the characters must maintain the same 11mm/33mm spacing. On some plates this means characters are arranged over two lines, but the spacing within each line remains identical.
Hex Plates
Hex plates use the same standard character dimensions and spacing. The hexagonal shape of the plate is purely aesthetic — it doesn't affect the legal layout of the characters.
How to Stay Legal
The simplest way to ensure correct spacing is to order from a reputable, DVLA-registered supplier. At Limitless Plates, every plate is manufactured to exact BS AU 145e specifications with correct spacing built into our production process.
Design your plates — choose from standard, 3D gel, 4D, or 4D gel, all with guaranteed legal spacing and same-day dispatch.