I have searched the forum but couldn't quite find the answer... so can someone advise what is the smallest but legal character size that I can use for the front number plate on a JDM vehicle? Thanks 

I have the slim size front plate which the website confirmed was Uk Legal: 330x89mm (13x3.5in)

I bought it from a company called Plates For Cars Ltd: https://www.platesforcars.co.uk/designer.php?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImNnm6OO68gIVAe7tCh2RdAleEAAYASAAEgJgw_D_BwE

What makes it legal is the letter spacings, font size and that the plate needs to show the supplier postcode and supplier name I believe.


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Thanks, what I was more concerned with was the character size/height of the actual fonts because my current plate is too small to pass the MOT!

Ah I see, sorry must have misread. Mine passed it’s last MOT so I’ll measure the height of my lettering if that’s helps, and let you know. 


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Edited August 18, 20214 yr by naz27

Hi Lee, hope you’re well. The information you require is documented here, specifically regulation 14A for an import vehicle (I have this document printed off and in my glovebox just in case!).

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/2687/made

The Z32 (import) falls into this category:

“Size and spacing of characters: special cases

14A.—(1) This regulation applies in relation to any vehicle imported into the United Kingdom which—

(a)does not have European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval; and

(b)is so constructed that the area available for the fixing of the registration plate precludes the display on the plate of a registration mark in conformity with the requirements of regulation 14.

(2) In relation to a vehicle to which this regulation applies—

(a)each character in the registration mark must be 64 millimetres high;

(b)the width of each character of the mark, other than the letter “I” and the figure “1”, must be 44 millimetres;

(c)the width of every part of the stroke forming a character in a mark must be 10 millimetres;

(d)the spacing between any two characters within a group must be 10 millimetres;

(e)the vertical spacing between groups of characters must be 5 millimetres;

(f)the width of a margin between the mark and the top and lateral sides of the registration plate must be not less than 5 millimetres;

(g)the space between the bottom of the mark and the bottom of the registration plate must be not less than 13 millimetres; but, within that space, the space between the bottom of the mark and the top of the name and postcode of the person by whom the plate was supplied must be not less than 5 millimetres.”

 

In the case of the Z32 this

1 hour ago, Joely P said:

Hi Lee, hope you’re well. The information you require is documented here, specifically regulation 14A for an import vehicle (I have this document printed off and in my glovebox just in case!).

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/2687/made

The Z32 (import) falls into this category

Just to clarify for a JDM Z32, this ammendment just applies to the rear number plate?

Hi Joel, all is well thanks, been meaning to get the old girl MOT'd! but I knew it would fail with the 12x3 one at the moment!

Thanks for the info, good to know where you stand on that and I will probably keep the info in the glovebox as well!

 

On 18/08/2021 at 22:23, AndrewG said:

In the case of the Z32 this

Just to clarify for a JDM Z32, this ammendment just applies to the rear number plate?

I would say applicable to both, but it's usually the front one that most of us want a sleek plate that is usually the cause for concern on terms of legality

I asked because of 14A (b) in the ammendment:

"(2) After regulation 14, insert the following regulation—
“Size and spacing of characters: special cases

14A.—(1) This regulation applies in relation to any vehicle imported into the United Kingdom which—

(a)does not have European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval; and

(b)is so constructed that the area available for the fixing of the registration plate precludes the display on the plate of a registration mark in conformity with the requirements of regulation 14."

Clearly the JDM rear bumper number plate area precludes the normal size plate (regulation 14) so this ammendment applies. For the front plate there is

no physical restriction on the JDM front bumper on using a regulation 14 compliant plate. So in practice it would be down to the authorities discretion

in the matter. At least that's how I read it.

 

The JDM mounting point for a full size UK number plate on the front bumper is too narrow. It would potentially flap around at the sides and chafe my paint. ?

Besides, I just order a “pair” of number plates! But ultimately, yes, you’re correct.

Edited August 27, 20214 yr by Joely P

I forgot to update this post!... so I had the front plate made with 65mm text, not sure about the width... MOT tester didn't even seem to notice or quizz me, even though the number plate looks small (ish)