Are tinted number plates legal?

Various retro License Plates on the wall.

What many people don’t realise about number plates is that in order for them to be road legal there are a wealth of things that you need to keep in mind and adhere too. 

Not only are there the regulations around how a number plate is set out and what the numbers and letters stand for. But, the font, colour and any other additions to the number plate are also something that should be thought through. 

One style of number plate that looks amazing, but that is somewhat of a grey area to the DVLA are tinted plates. But, what are they and where do they sit with the DVLA?

What are tinted number plates?

The idea of tinted number plates is that they have a somewhat smoked effect. They look amazing on a range of cars. This could be custom cars, classic cars or perhaps modern cars. Many people decide to have tinted number plates as a way to spice up their car if they are displaying it at a car show, this is usually as an alternative to having it on your car all the time.

If you are someone who takes great pride in how their car looks; then you might want to bring in tinted number plates. They also work really well with cars that feature tinted windows too. Bringing the entire vehicle together as a stylish and luxurious way to get around. 

Are they legal?

As we have mentioned, tinted number plates are actually more of a grey area than you may realise. The rules behind any number plates is that they are supposed to not be obstructed in any way. You should be able to see all of the letters and number and they should be clearly read even when the vehicle is moving. 

If you ask some police officers, then you are likely to get a mixed answer on whether or not tinted number plates are legal or whether they are not. 

The best way to make sure that you are within the law when it comes to your car and your number plate; is to buy from a company who has a deeper understanding of these laws and what is acceptable.

In doing this, you are going to have confidence that the number plate you have bought is not only going to look amazing on your car. But that it is also not going to get you into any trouble at all. 

While you are thinking about your number plates; you could also consider whether or not you want to treat yourself to a brand-new personalised number plate too? Not only are number plates great fun, but they are also all yours and completely unique. Which means that you don’t have to worry about being out on the open road and seeing someone else with a number plate that looks just like yours. 

Post Author: Sophie Toby Hall

A former car magazine editor, Sophie’s blog offers in-depth car reviews, industry trends, and maintenance tips. Her breadth of knowledge makes her posts invaluable for both car enthusiasts and everyday drivers.