Short number plates are popular on private registrations and on cars with a small or curved plate recess. They're legal in the UK, but only when the characters stay full size. This guide explains the rules. To order one, see our short number plates in 13", 16" and 18" sizes.
What is a short number plate?
A short plate is any car plate shorter than the standard 520mm x 111mm. Owners choose them for a cleaner look, especially with a short private registration, or because a standard plate doesn't fit the car's recess.
Are short number plates legal?
Yes. UK law doesn't set a minimum length for a number plate. Instead it fixes the characters and the gaps around them, so a short plate is legal as long as your registration fits at full size:
- Characters 79mm tall and 50mm wide (except the number 1 and letter I), in the Charles Wright font
- 11mm between characters and 33mm between the two groups
- At least 11mm of plate around the edges
- A reflective white front and yellow rear, made to BS AU 145e with the supplier's name, postcode and the BS number
Shrinking the letters or closing up the spacing to make a plate shorter isn't legal, can fail an MOT and can make the plate harder for ANPR cameras to read.
How short can a legal plate be?
It depends on the number of characters. As a guide, a 7-character reg such as AB12 CDE needs about 460mm, a 6-character reg about 400mm, and 5 characters or fewer fit a 340mm (13") plate. Our short plates page has the full size guide.
What about short show plates?
Show plates can be made in short sizes too, and because they're for shows and off-road display only, they don't have to follow the road legal spacing. See our show plates. They can't be used on public roads.
Get your short number plates
We make road legal short plates in every style, including 4D and gel, in our UK workshop. Order by 8am Monday to Friday for same-day dispatch. Shop short number plates.