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Drivers issued ‘£1,000’ alert over key registration plate mistake

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Every new car in the UK receives a freshly updated sequence of numbers on its registration plate twice annually

A satellite navigation system is visible on the dashboard of a modern car as a man grips a steering wheel.
A major DVLA change could affect your car(Image: Catherine Falls Commercial via Getty Images)

New vehicles will feature the latest 75 registration plates from September 1, 2025. However, motor valuation specialists at BigWantsYourCar have cautioned that numerous drivers remain baffled about registration regulations and plate display standards.

Errors could result in penalties of up to £1,000 or MOT failure. “With the 75 plates about to roll out, it is still worrying that many motorists do not fully understand their number plates,” said a spokesperson for BigWantsYourCar.com

“Knowing what the letters and numbers mean is useful, but the key is making sure the plate meets the rules so your car stays road legal. Every new car in the UK receives a freshly updated sequence of numbers on its registration plate twice annually, on March 1 and September 1.

Motors registered between March 1 and August 31, 2025, will showcase ’25’ plates, whilst those registered from September 1, 2025, through late February 2026, will showcase ’75’ plates.

Cropped image of senior woman putting car key in ignition lock
The specialists outlined the basic requirements that must be met(Image: Kentaroo Tryman via Getty Images)

“There is still confusion over how often plates change and what is allowed on them. Even small mistakes in spacing or format can make a plate illegal,” the spokesperson added, according to Manchester Evening News.

The experts highlighted the fundamental requirements that must be satisfied. Plates must be manufactured from reflective material. The front plate should feature black characters on a white background, whilst the rear plate should show black characters on a yellow background.

The letters and numbers on your number plate must adhere to the approved font and comply with strict sizing and spacing regulations. “If you alter the spacing or choose the wrong size, you risk an MOT fail and a fine,” they said.

London, England, 11 July 2023, Close up of a Blue Honda Hybrid Car with Yellow License Plate Parked on a City Street, Showcasing the UK License Plate Format for Hybrid Vehicles.
Letters and numbers must use the approved font and comply with strict sizing and spacing regulations(Image: Surachetsh/Getty Images)

They also highlighted the importance of the British Standard marking. Plates first fitted on or after September 1 2021, must meet BS AU 145e and show the British Standard on the plate.

“Missing or incorrect markings can be enough to fail a test,” the spokesperson said. “The rules around number plates may seem minor, but the penalties are not.

“Make sure your plates are legal, or you could face a significant fine.”

READ MORE: Police explain what you can do if your neighbour’s dog is always barking

Number plate rules explained

Official guidance specifies that a vehicle’s number plates must include the following:

  • Not have a background pattern
  • Must be a single shade of black (if fitted after September 1, 2021)
  • Display black characters on a white background (front plate)
  • Be marked with a British Standard number – this is ‘BS AU 145e’ for plates fitted after 1 September 2021
  • Be made from a reflective material
  • Be marked to show who supplied the number plate
  • Display black characters on a yellow background (rear plate)

The INF104 leaflet provides further details on the exact height and size restrictions for characters and numbers on a plate. See here.

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