Buy Motorcycle Number Plates Online

Motorcycle Number Plates

Motorcycle number plates in the UK fit a smaller footprint than car plates and follow the same strict regulations governing size, font, spacing, and materials. Whether you're fitting a new bike plate, replacing a worn registration plate, or looking for custom motorcycle plates that still meet legal standards, this guide breaks down the types available, what to look for, and how to choose the right one for your ride.

Types of Motorcycle Number Plates

The range of motorbike number plates falls into five main categories, each suited to a different purpose and level of customisation.

Standard Road Legal Plates

These are the DVLA-compliant plates required for everyday road use on UK roads. Motorcycles registered after 1st September 2001 need only a rear plate, which must display solid black characters on a yellow background. Standard motorcycle plates measure 9 x 7 inches (228mm x 178mm) and must display characters over two separate lines using the standard Charles Wright font. All motorcycle plates must be made from a reflective material and carry proper legal markings to ensure full compliance with current number plate regulations.

Vintage / Classic Plates

Classic motorcycle number plates use the traditional black background with silver or white raised characters. Motorcycle number plates registered before 1 January 1980 can have black and silver plates, provided the registration number is original to the vehicle and it sits in the historic tax class. Vintage motorcycle plates are black and silver for bikes pre-1979 - but if a personalised or transferred registration has been applied, modern yellow rear plate standards apply regardless of the motorcycle's age.

Custom Legal Motorbike Plates

Custom number plate options let you personalise your motorcycle number with dateless registrations, specific character combinations, or stylistic touches like 3D/4D raised lettering and optional borders. Custom motorcycle plates must meet DVLA regulations for size and font, and the registration must not make the bike appear newer than it actually is. The age identifier rules prevent misrepresentation, and all transfers must follow proper DVLA processes.

Replacement Motorbike Number Plates

When your existing plate becomes damaged, faded, or illegible, a replacement that exactly mirrors your current registration number is required. Replacement reg plates must meet the same legal requirements as the original - including BS AU 145e compliance, correct character dimensions, reflective materials, and supplier details. A worn plate that's no longer legible will cause MOT failures, so timely replacement keeps you compliant.

What to Look For in Motorcycle Number Plates

Several key attributes determine whether a bike plate is genuinely road legal and built to last. Understanding these helps you spot the difference between a valid number plate and one that could land you with a fine.

BS AU 145e Compliance

Plates fitted after 1 September 2021 must comply with the British Standard BS AU 145e. This standard governs reflectivity, durability, character specification, and mandatory markings. All motorcycle number plates must comply with BS AU 145e standards - any plate manufactured and first fitted from that date onward without this marking is non-compliant and illegal for road use.

Character Size and Spacing

Characters on motorcycle number plates must be 64mm tall with a 14mm stroke thickness, and characters on motorcycle plates must be 64mm tall and 44mm wide. Spacing between individual characters is 11mm, with 33mm between the two character groups (for example, between the area/age identifier and the random letters). Motorbike plates must display characters over two lines, not one - a key distinction from car plates. Characters must use the "Charles Wright 2001" font on motorcycle number plates, with no alternative typefaces permitted.

Material Quality

Premium quality plates resist weather damage, UV fading, and impact over years of use. Premium acrylic delivers a crisp gloss finish and is the most common choice for modern motorbike plates. Pressed aluminium suits classic or heritage builds. Non-standard materials like carbon fibre or gel overlays typically fail legal standards for reflectivity and permanence, so they're best avoided for road use.

Reflective Properties

All motorcycle plates must be made from a reflective material that meets retroreflectivity parameters defined by BS AU 145e. This ensures the plate remains visible under headlights and is readable by ANPR systems. The rear plate of a motorcycle must be illuminated at night for visibility. Tinted covers, patterned backgrounds, or non-reflective substrates compromise this and are prohibited.

Legal Markings

Every compliant plate must display the BS AU 145e reference, the manufacturer or supplier name, and the postcode of the supplying outlet to meet legal requirements. Motorcycle plates must include the supplier's name or postcode - these markings sit below the registration number, at least 7mm from the characters, in a non-reflecting single shade. Missing legal markings render a plate non-compliant, even if everything else looks correct.

How to Choose the Right Motorcycle Number Plate

Turning those features into a decision comes down to five practical criteria.

1. Intended Use - If you're riding on UK roads daily, you need a plate in full compliance with motorcycle number plate regulations. Number Plates Express does not sell show plates.
2. Motorcycle Age - Motorcycles registered after September 2001 need only a rear plate to current standards. Vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1980 with original registrations may use vintage black and silver style plates. Bikes from the 1973–2001 window have specific requirements around front plates and reflective materials. Always check that the registration's age identifier doesn't misrepresent your bike's year.
3. Size Requirements - Standard motorcycle number plates measure 9 inches by 7 inches (228mm x 178mm). The smallest legal motorcycle number plate size is 180mm x 100mm, though this minimum size depends on character count and available mounting space. The registration length and specific character size requirements determine the smallest legal number plate you can fit - small motorcycle number plates and small bike plates are legal only if every dimension and spacing rule is met.
4. Material Preference - Premium acrylic gives the sharpest, most modern finish. Aluminium offers lightweight durability and a heritage aesthetic for classic builds. Budget materials may save money initially but risk delamination, fading, and non compliance at MOT - not worth the trade-off.
5. Customisation Level - Customisation options include 3D or 4D raised lettering, optional non-reflective borders, and national flag badges - all permitted under uk regulations provided they don't reduce legibility or alter character spacing. Electric motorcycles may display a green flash indicating their zero-emission status. When using a plate builder to design your perfect plate, confirm every element meets BS AU 145e before ordering.

Why Choose Motorcycle Number Plates from Number Plates Express?

Whether you're replacing a damaged motorcycle number plate or fitting a new registration to your bike, choosing a high-quality, road legal plate is essential. At Number Plates Express, we manufacture replacement motorcycle number plates using premium materials that comply fully with the latest BS AU 145e British Standard and current DVLA regulations.

Our motorcycle number plates offer:

1. Fully road legal when manufactured to BS AU 145e and DVLA regulations
2. Manufactured by a DVLA Registered Number Plate Supplier
3. Premium reflective materials for excellent visibility
4. Correct Charles Wright font, spacing and dimensions
5. Suitable for motorcycles, scooters, mopeds and quad bikes
6. Compatible with ANPR cameras and MOT requirements
7. Durable construction designed to withstand everyday riding conditions
8. Fast UK dispatch following document verification

Whether you ride daily, own a weekend sports bike or maintain a classic motorcycle, our replacement motorcycle number plates are manufactured to provide long-lasting durability while remaining fully compliant with UK legislation.

Browse Our Motorcycle Number Plate Collection

Choosing the right motorbike number plates comes down to matching your bike's age and your intended use with a plate that meets every legal requirement - from BS AU 145e compliance and correct character dimensions to proper reflective materials and supplier markings. Explore our range to find a road legal plate built to premium quality standards, with same day dispatch available to get you back on the road quickly.

How to Order Your Motorcycle Number Plate

Ordering your replacement motorcycle number plate online is quick and straightforward using our easy-to-use number plate builder.

1. Enter Your Registration Number

Enter your motorcycle registration number to begin creating your replacement plate.

2. Select Your Plate Size

Choose the correct motorcycle plate size for your bike. We manufacture standard, small legal and import motorcycle number plates where applicable.

3. Customise Your Plate

Choose from our range of legal badges and borders to personalise your motorcycle number plate while remaining fully compliant with DVLA regulations.

4. Upload Your Documents

As a DVLA Registered Number Plate Supplier, we must verify your proof of identity and proof of entitlement before manufacturing your road legal plate.

5. We Verify Your Order

Our team carefully checks your documents to ensure they satisfy DVLA requirements before your order enters production.

6. We Manufacture & Dispatch

Your motorcycle number plate is manufactured using premium reflective materials before undergoing quality inspections and being securely packaged for fast UK delivery.