Are Show Plates Legal in the UK?

No, you can’t legally drive on public roads with a show plate. Show plates break DVLA rules. They often use the wrong font, spacing, or colours. This makes them hard to read. That’s why they’re banned on public roads.

You can only use show plates in private places. Car meets. Weddings. Photoshoots. Your garage. That’s it. If you use one on the road, you risk fines and MOT failures.

What’s the Difference Between Show Plates and Legal Plates?

Legal plates follow strict rules:

• Standard font
• Correct spacing
• Reflective material
• Supplier name and BS AU 145e code

Show plates don’t. They might have:

• Decorative fonts
• Tinted covers
• Incorrect spacing
• Background images

Legal plates help police and cameras ID your vehicle. Show plates don’t. That’s why only legal plates are allowed on roads.

For full number plate rules, read our Number Plates Explained article page.

When Can You Use Show Plates Without Breaking the Law?

You can use show plates in these places:

• At home (your driveway or garage)
• On private land
• In a music video
• At a car show
• In a showroom
• During a photo shoot (not on public roads)

You can’t:

• Drive with them on public roads
• Park with them in a public place
• Go through MOT with one on

They’re just for show. Not for the road.

DVLA Number Plate Rules: What Makes a Plate Legal?

DVLA number plates must follow clear rules to be road legal. These include:

• Use the Charles Wright 2001 font
• Have black characters on white (front) and yellow (rear)
• Use reflective material
• Include the BS AU 145e code
• Include the plate supplier’s name and postcode

3D and 4D plates are allowed. But only if the letters are solid black. Tinted or shaded letters are not legal.

How Do Show Plates Affect Your MOT or Insurance?

A show plate will fail your MOT. That includes:

• Wrong font
• Misplaced characters
• Missing BS code
• Dirty or faded text

Insurance is also a problem. If you crash and your plate breaks DVLA rules, your insurer could reject your claim. Some even cancel policies if they find out.

Why Do People Still Buy Illegal Plates?

Some drivers like how private number plates or short plates look. Tinted plates. Custom fonts. But most don’t know the risk. Others do it hoping they won’t get caught.

And show plate sites don’t always warn you. Many offer custom number plates with no checks. They let you design whatever you want. No ID. No V5C. But they’ll hide a small disclaimer: “not for road use.”

Number Plate Sizes for Imports, Motorbikes, and Classic Cars

Imports often have smaller plate spaces. The DVLA allows custom sizes only if your vehicle can’t fit a standard plate. Same goes for classic cars.

If your car is older than 1980, you can apply for black and silver plates. But only if it’s registered as a historic vehicle.

Best Place to Order Legal and Show Number Plates Online

We make both road-legal and show plates in many styles at Official Plates. You can choose:

• Printed, 3D gel or 4D acrylic letters
• Flags and national identifiers (UK, ENG, SCO, etc.)
• Green plates for electric vehicles

All our legal plates come with the correct markings and follow BS AU 145e. As one of the trusted number plate makers online, we follow all DVLA rules. You’ll need to upload your V5C and ID. We do this to keep it legal.

Need a plate for a trailer, import, bike or van? We’ve got those too. We also offer personalised number plates that meet DVLA standards. See all plate styles.

What Happens If You Get Caught with a Show Plate?

You could:

• Get a fine (up to £1,000)
• Fail your MOT
• Lose your custom reg (DVLA can revoke it)
• Have your car flagged by ANPR cameras

Some police forces check plates at meets. It’s not worth the risk.

Can You Design Your Own Number Plate?

Yes, you can design your own number plate using our plate builder. If you want a legal plate, you’ll need to stick to DVLA rules. We’ll guide you through the options—like flags, 3D text, or green flash for electric vehicles. For show plates, you can go creative—but remember, they’re not for road use.

Need a plate that stands out and stays legal? Order from Official Plates. We do it right.