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Are 3D number plates illegal?
Cars01
post Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 14:49
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I’ve received a letter from Surrey police stating my registration plate fails to conform with the road vehicles (display of registration marks) regulations 2001. There’s no specific reason stating why it fails to conform with the regulations. My number plate is spaced correctly and has the BS AU 145e code on there. I wasn’t pulled over I just happened to receive this through the post.

The only thing I can think of is that the 3D lettering is making it illegal but I’m not sure if that’s correct as I’ve checked on the gov.uk website and it states 3D (raised) characters are allowed. (Check attached image)

Any info on this would be great, thanks.
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post Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 14:49
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DWMB2
post Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 15:20
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QUOTE (Cars01 @ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 15:49) *
(Check attached image)

There's nothing attached. For uploading photos you'll need to use a third party host such as Imgur


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mickR
post Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 19:13
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3d raised as you put it have always been allowed as that's how plates used to be made with plastic letters attached to the flat plate. now days 3d means a printed 3d look. if I'm correct cant be bothered to look at mo the latest No plate regulations outlaw 3d for new cars registered since a specific date
how old is your car?
post pic of part of plate so we can see what you have

This post has been edited by mickR: Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 20:17
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Gerfc1
post Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 19:24
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I am surprised the 3D lettering would have BS AU 145e code on it.
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Jlc
post Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 19:39
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QUOTE (Gerfc1 @ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 20:24) *
I am surprised the 3D lettering would have BS AU 145e code on it.

It's a bit of a mess but raised characters were not specifically banned under 145e as long as all other requirements are met. (Differing shades of black/grey were banned)

Plate manufacturers have noted 'over zealous' police enforcement…

This post has been edited by Jlc: Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 19:42


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DancingDad
post Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 20:26
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I'm wandering what else the letter states?
ie is it simply a warning letter with the threat of action if plates are not replaced/compliant or is it form of a NIP and requires you to name the driver or what?

BS AU145e outlaws faux 3D effects by making it a requirement for text to be one shade of black.
True raised 3D is still allowed but must still conform to the single shade of black.
This applies to all plates supplied after 1st Sept 2021 while plates could be supplied that conformed from Jan 2021

I am not sure how this affects plates made before the operative date or under older standards?
BS 145d allowed faux 3d with toned text so if those are on a vehicle and supplied prior to 1st Sept 21 AFAIK, they can still legally be used.
But if made in a way that does not conform to BS145e and shows that they do, there would be another can of worms, likely with the supplier as well.

OP, are you sure that the plates conform in all other ways, ie makers name, size, colours, font used, any side flags ????
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mickR
post Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 20:46
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QUOTE (Gerfc1 @ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 20:24) *
I am surprised the 3D lettering would have BS AU 145e code on it.


nothing wrong with it depending on the year of vehicle
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Slapdash
post Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 20:58
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QUOTE (mickR @ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 21:46) *
QUOTE (Gerfc1 @ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 20:24) *
I am surprised the 3D lettering would have BS AU 145e code on it.


nothing wrong with it depending on the year of vehicle


Kind of I think.

I believe that it is the date of fitting the plates. Odd I know.

Pre existing faux3d plates can remain on the vehicle.
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mickR
post Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 21:10
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yeah updates are only for new vehicles from update instigation

3D and 4D were banned on new cars in 2021
so if the OPs car is older than that his 3Ds are OK but your average plod probably won't have a clue
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Cars01
post Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 04:24
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QUOTE (mickR @ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 20:13) *
3d raised as you put it have always been allowed as that's how plates used to be made with plastic letters attached to the flat plate. now days 3d means a printed 3d look. if I'm correct cant be bothered to look at mo the latest No plate regulations outlaw 3d for new cars registered since a specific date
how old is your car?
post pic of part of plate so we can see what you have


My car is 2015

QUOTE (Gerfc1 @ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 20:24) *
I am surprised the 3D lettering would have BS AU 145e code on it.


I recently updated my plates that’s why it’s got the BS AU 145e code on it.

QUOTE (DancingDad @ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 21:26) *
I'm wandering what else the letter states?
ie is it simply a warning letter with the threat of action if plates are not replaced/compliant or is it form of a NIP and requires you to name the driver or what?

BS AU145e outlaws faux 3D effects by making it a requirement for text to be one shade of black.
True raised 3D is still allowed but must still conform to the single shade of black.
This applies to all plates supplied after 1st Sept 2021 while plates could be supplied that conformed from Jan 2021

I am not sure how this affects plates made before the operative date or under older standards?
BS 145d allowed faux 3d with toned text so if those are on a vehicle and supplied prior to 1st Sept 21 AFAIK, they can still legally be used.
But if made in a way that does not conform to BS145e and shows that they do, there would be another can of worms, likely with the supplier as well.

OP, are you sure that the plates conform in all other ways, ie makers name, size, colours, font used, any side flags ????


The letter states it’s a 28 day police requirement to purchase and fit replacement plates. After 28 days a remote check will be completed by police to ensure compliance. Failure to comply could result being stopped by police at the roadside, where I could be fined and have the plates seized off the vehicle.

The plates that I have are 3D gel plates. No flags and they have one shade of black, correctly spaced, makers name, original size, original font.
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666
post Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 06:13
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QUOTE (Cars01 @ Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 05:24) *
QUOTE (mickR @ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 20:13) *
3d raised as you put it have always been allowed as that's how plates used to be made with plastic letters attached to the flat plate. now days 3d means a printed 3d look. if I'm correct cant be bothered to look at mo the latest No plate regulations outlaw 3d for new cars registered since a specific date
how old is your car?
post pic of part of plate so we can see what you have


My car is 2015

QUOTE (Gerfc1 @ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 20:24) *
I am surprised the 3D lettering would have BS AU 145e code on it.


I recently updated my plates that’s why it’s got the BS AU 145e code on it.

QUOTE (DancingDad @ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 21:26) *
I'm wandering what else the letter states?
ie is it simply a warning letter with the threat of action if plates are not replaced/compliant or is it form of a NIP and requires you to name the driver or what?

BS AU145e outlaws faux 3D effects by making it a requirement for text to be one shade of black.
True raised 3D is still allowed but must still conform to the single shade of black.
This applies to all plates supplied after 1st Sept 2021 while plates could be supplied that conformed from Jan 2021

I am not sure how this affects plates made before the operative date or under older standards?
BS 145d allowed faux 3d with toned text so if those are on a vehicle and supplied prior to 1st Sept 21 AFAIK, they can still legally be used.
But if made in a way that does not conform to BS145e and shows that they do, there would be another can of worms, likely with the supplier as well.

OP, are you sure that the plates conform in all other ways, ie makers name, size, colours, font used, any side flags ????


The letter states it’s a 28 day police requirement to purchase and fit replacement plates. After 28 days a remote check will be completed by police to ensure compliance. Failure to comply could result being stopped by police at the roadside, where I could be fined and have the plates seized off the vehicle.

The plates that I have are 3D gel plates. No flags and they have one shade of black, correctly spaced, makers name, original size, original font.

What on earth is a "remote check"?

And can they really seize the plates, presumably leaving you to drive around incognito?
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Slapdash
post Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 06:49
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QUOTE (Cars01 @ Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 05:24) *
The letter states it’s a 28 day police requirement to purchase and fit replacement plates. After 28 days a remote check will be completed by police to ensure compliance. Failure to comply could result being stopped by police at the roadside, where I could be fined and have the plates seized off the vehicle.

The plates that I have are 3D gel plates. No flags and they have one shade of black, correctly spaced, makers name, original size, original font.


The fact that they are BS marked does not mean they are compliant. The vendor may have commited a number of offences by claiming them to be so but that makes no difference to whether you have commited any offence or not.

At some point you are liable to get some inconvenience. Even if you are ultimately right and able to convince the magistrates that they were completely compliant do you really want the hassle. ?

When stopped "but officer, they are BS marked and I am told by the vendors fully compliant" is hardly likely to cut it when you have been put on notice that the believe they don't comply and offered a chance for correction.

The threat of "remote check" however seems questionable. Whilst a plate supplier has to keep records of supplied plates I don't believe there is any requirement to report those sales.


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DancingDad
post Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 09:12
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Sounds like Old Bill have had a camera out, perhaps as part of an ANPR check on road tax/insurance et al and picked up shades of black in the picture?
Which would show up as shades in a photo with gel 3Ds...natural shadows.
Then a warning letter, doesn't matter if valid, there will now be a warning on file and a possible ANPR marker flag on the vehicle.
Which is likely what the remote check is about, be prepared for pings on ANPR systems and possible stops.

Can't see how they can hope to prosecute with a remote check, too many questions, not least of which is when was the plate fitted
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The Rookie
post Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 10:51
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QUOTE (666 @ Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 07:13) *
And can they really seize the plates, presumably leaving you to drive around incognito?

To answer this as a narrow point Yes and No.
Yes they can seize them, the offence is not displaying a compliant plate, so by seizing them they haven't changed the legality of the car.

Well it's a offence to not display them, driving around would be an aggravating factor (but no more) so I'd suggest NOT driving until replaced but you commit the same offence stationary or driving (or either with that non compliant plate).


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baroudeur
post Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 11:19
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3D plates are legal provided

THE REGISTRATION CHARACTERS ARE ALSO PRINTED ON THE YELLOW OR WHITE BACKING.

in other words a standard printed plate with the 3/4D raised characters stuck on top. (presumably to ensure that if a stuck on character becomes detached the registration remains intact.)

There were some being sold with coloured printed characters under black 3/4D which are illegal as the colour causes refraction and interferes with camera recognition

DVLA 3/4D plates

This post has been edited by baroudeur: Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 11:21
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BluntyMcCrow2
post Sun, 28 Aug 2022 - 13:29
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QUOTE (666 @ Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 07:13) *
QUOTE (Cars01 @ Thu, 18 Aug 2022 - 05:24) *
QUOTE (mickR @ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 20:13) *
3d raised as you put it have always been allowed as that's how plates used to be made with plastic letters attached to the flat plate. now days 3d means a printed 3d look. if I'm correct cant be bothered to look at mo the latest No plate regulations outlaw 3d for new cars registered since a specific date
how old is your car?
post pic of part of plate so we can see what you have


My car is 2015

QUOTE (Gerfc1 @ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 20:24) *
I am surprised the 3D lettering would have BS AU 145e code on it.


I recently updated my plates that’s why it’s got the BS AU 145e code on it.

QUOTE (DancingDad @ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 - 21:26) *
I'm wandering what else the letter states?
ie is it simply a warning letter with the threat of action if plates are not replaced/compliant or is it form of a NIP and requires you to name the driver or what?

BS AU145e outlaws faux 3D effects by making it a requirement for text to be one shade of black.
True raised 3D is still allowed but must still conform to the single shade of black.
This applies to all plates supplied after 1st Sept 2021 while plates could be supplied that conformed from Jan 2021

I am not sure how this affects plates made before the operative date or under older standards?
BS 145d allowed faux 3d with toned text so if those are on a vehicle and supplied prior to 1st Sept 21 AFAIK, they can still legally be used.
But if made in a way that does not conform to BS145e and shows that they do, there would be another can of worms, likely with the supplier as well.

OP, are you sure that the plates conform in all other ways, ie makers name, size, colours, font used, any side flags ????


The letter states it’s a 28 day police requirement to purchase and fit replacement plates. After 28 days a remote check will be completed by police to ensure compliance. Failure to comply could result being stopped by police at the roadside, where I could be fined and have the plates seized off the vehicle.

The plates that I have are 3D gel plates. No flags and they have one shade of black, correctly spaced, makers name, original size, original font.

What on earth is a "remote check"?

And can they really seize the plates, presumably leaving you to drive around incognito?


“Remote check” is simply an officer checking the plates meet the regs. In Surrey they go to the address of the r/k and check whilst on patrol (or in reality the local NPT is asked to go have a look in the course of their normal duties).

And yes the plates can be seized, Surrey RPU have a nice collection of plates.

This post has been edited by BluntyMcCrow2: Sun, 28 Aug 2022 - 13:30
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