Premium 4D Number Plates | UK Road Legal & High-Quality
Customise your vehicle with the UK’s leading supplier of high-gloss, laser-cut 4D plates.
Drive in style with 4D Number Plates from Aplates. Our premium laser-cut acrylic ensures 100% road legality.
Adds Incredible Depth
Safe To Pressure Wash
Doesn’t Fade In The Sun
Expertly Laser Cut
OUR 4D PLATES
FEATURES
- Characters on 4D Number Plates made using impact-modified acrylic
- 4D Plates are professionally laser cut with extreme precision
- Adhered using ultra-strong VHB adhesive, ensuring ultimate security
- 4D Acrylic Plates are 100% UK road legal & MOT compliant
- Free fixing kit included – sticky pads & screws
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 3D AND 4D?
3D (Gel)
- Gel Resin Characters
- Rounded Style (Domed)
- Smaller Depth
4D (Acrylic)
- Acrylic Characters
- Bolder Style (Solid)
- Greater Depths (3/5mm)
4D Number Plates from Aplates
Customise your vehicle with our premium 4D number plates.
4D characters are manufactured from laser-cut black Perspex® acrylic (polymethyl methacrylate), which is composed of acrylic acid polymers due to a polymerisation reaction.
In contrast, its 3D plate counterpart is constructed from a gel polyurethane resin. This is the key difference between 3D gel plates and 4D plates.
Are 4D Number Plates Road Legal?
Yes, our 4D plates are 100% UK road legal and MOT compliant, as they adhere to the current British Standard (BS AU 145e).
– The font style we use for all our number plates is Charles Wright, which is the standardised legal font in the UK.
– The Government/DVLA have confirmed that three-dimensional characters are legal and compliant with motoring laws.
– This includes ‘4D’ plates; 4D is just an industry standard name – these plates are still 3D/three-dimensional.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
WHAT SETS OUR 4D PLATES APART
At Aplates, we exclusively use the highest-quality materials available on the market. We combine deluxe acrylic with laser-cut gloss black characters to create our iconic 3mm & 5mm depths. This formula has been tested extensively to maximise plate durability and retention.
Our 4D number plates are completely legal for use on UK roads. Furthermore, they are also MOT compliant, so you can rest assured your experience will be carefree.
As a DVLA-registered number plate supplier, we ensure our plates conform to the British Standard, BSAU 145e. If the registration has been spaced correctly by the customer, our 4D plates will be made with the mandatory supplier details and the British Standard printed on the lower-middle and lower-right side areas of the plates.
Our plates undergo vigorous testing procedures to ensure they adhere to each and every legal parameter set out by the DVLA. This includes a state-of-the-art ANPR camera test, so you can rest assured we comply with Police regulations. Our plates have even been tested by our local constabulary, and we’re pleased to say they passed with flying colours.
We use cutting-edge laser technology to bring you the best quality plates available on the market.
Our plates have been tested extensively in order to maximise their durability and premium condition. As a result, the plates are weather-proof, and they can even withstand being jet-washed from distances over 1.5m.
We include a free pack of sticky pads in your delivery for every plate ordered. These 10 strips provide an extremely strong grip which allows for a quick and easy installation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, our 4D number plates are 100% UK road legal and MOT compliant, as they adhere to the current British Standard (BS AU 145e).
What makes 4D characters road legal?
Number plates must have characters which comply with the criteria set out in BS AU 145e.
- They must display solid black characters in the prescribed Charles Wright typeface which complies with the rules governing size, spacing, grouping and positioning.
- Number plates may optionally have raised 3D characters of plain black colour (known as “4D” number plates) provided that they meet all requirements of British Standard BS AU 145e.
What makes number plates road legal?
All number plates are governed by the regulations set out in the British Standard 145e.
Number plates must have the following features:
- They must be the correct size as specified in the rules.
- The background of front plates must be the prescribed reflective white colour and rear plates must be the prescribed reflective yellow colour.
- They must have reflective properties complying with British Standard BS AU 145e.
- They must have physical resilience properties complying with British Standard BS AU 145e.
- They must display solid black characters in the prescribed Charles Wright typeface that comply with the rules governing size, spacing, grouping and positioning.
- They must bear the supplier’s name and postcode and the manufacturer’s mark.
- They must bear the current British Standard number, BS AU 145e.
We offer various plate sizes.
Front & Rear plates:
Standard Oblong: 520 mm x 111 mm (20″ x 4.3″)
18-Inch: 462 mm x 111 mm (18″ x 4.3″)
16-Inch: 405 mm x 111 mm (16″ x 4.3″)
14-Inch: 355 mm x 111 mm (14″ x 4.3″)
Rear plates only:
4×4 Square: 279 mm x 203 mm (11″ x 8″)
Range Rover: 533 mm x 152 mm (21″ x 6″)
Motorcycle: 229 mm x 178 mm (9″ x 7″)
We offer the following border styles:
- 4D (3mm/5mm)
- Printed (Black, Red, Green, Blue)
- 4D Krystal (Red, Green, Orange, Blue, Clear)
We offer the following badge styles:
- Electric Vehicle (4D Printed & UK – 4D Printed, Gel & UK – Gel, Printed & UK – Printed)
- 4D Printed (UK, England, Scotland, Wales)
- 4D (UK, England, Scotland, Wales)
- Gel (UK, England, Scotland, Wales)
- Printed (UK, England, Scotland, Wales)
As a DVLA registered number plate suppler, it is our responsibility to check your legal entitlement to the registration you are asking us to manufacture. You will need to provide 2 document reference numbers that prove your name & address, and entitlement to the registration. These reference numbers must be traceable to you (the consumer) and can be obtained from us by the police, the DVLA or the DVSA without notice at any time for any reason. We are required by law to collect this information from you.
You can use the following to confirm your name and address:
- driving licence, with or without a photo (doesn’t have to be issued in the UK)
- utility bill, Council Tax or rates bill in Northern Ireland (from the last 6 months)
- bank or building society statement (from the last 6 months)
- national identity card (issued by the government of a state or territory other than the United Kingdom)
You can use the following to confirm your entitlement to the registration:vehicle registration certificate (V5C)
- new keeper slip (green slip)
- a certificate of entitlement (V750) to the number
- a retention document (V778)
- a renewal reminder for vehicle tax or SORN (V11)
- a temporary registration certificate (V379)
- a number plate authorisation certificate (V948) with an official stamp from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
- an electronic number plate authorisation certificate (eV948) or an electronic trailer number plate authorisation certificate (eV948/2)
- UK trailer registration certificate (VTRC)
Yes, all number plate orders come with a free 3-year warranty.
Please see our ‘Warranty Policy’ page for more information.
Upgrade your car’s aesthetic with our premium 4D number plates, designed to offer a sharp, stand-out profile that standard printed plates simply cannot match. As the UK’s one of the best suppliers of custom registration plates, Aplates ensures every plate is precision-engineered for durability and style while remaining 100% compliant with British Standards.
Why Choose 4D Plates for Your Vehicle?
Unlike traditional 3D gel plates which feature rounded, domed characters, our 4D plates are manufactured using solid, laser-cut black Perspex® acrylic. This process creates a bold, rectangular profile with clean edges, providing a modern and aggressive look for any vehicle bumper.
- Premium Aesthetics: Laser-cut characters offer a high-gloss, professional finish.
- Extreme Durability: Every character is hand-applied using industrial-strength, high-tack VHB structural adhesive to ensure a permanent, weatherproof bond.
- Jet-Wash Friendly: Our plates are engineered to withstand high-pressure cleaning from distances over 1.5 meters without risk of delamination.
Our Range of 4D Plate Styles
We offer a variety of structural profiles so you can select the exact level of depth and texture you desire for your custom 4d number plates.
| Plate Style | Depth/Feature | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 4D 3mm Number Plates | 3mm | Subtle yet sharp profile for a clean, modern upgrade. |
| 4D 5mm Number Plates | 5mm | Deep-profile 4d 5mm acrylic number plates for maximum visual impact. |
| 4D Gel Number Plates | Combination | A 4D acrylic base topped with a high-gloss 3D gel resin layer for ultimate depth. |
Are 4D Plates Legal in the UK?
One of the most common questions from enthusiasts is, “are 4d plates legal?” The answer is a definitive yes.
All 4d number plates legal options provided by Aplates are 100% UK road legal and MOT compliant. We strictly adhere to the current British Standard (BS AU 145e), ensuring your 4d reg plates feature:
- The standardized Charles Wright font layout.
- Mandatory manufacturer details and BSAU markings printed on the plate.
- Standard black characters with correct legal spacing.
- A minimum 11mm physical border margin around all character edges.
Note: Any styles featuring colored neon outlines or crystal layers are classified strictly as show plates and are not intended for public road use.
Quality You Can Trust
At Aplates, we don’t just make plates; we craft them. As a fully DVLA-registered supplier, we ensure that your 4d license plate is built to last. We use premium UV-stabilized materials to ensure that your characters retain their high-gloss black shine and will not fade, shrink, or crack even under direct sunlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 3D and 4D number plates?
In the industry, 3D refers to rounded, glossy characters made from domed polyurethane gel resin. 4D refers to solid, bold characters precision-cut from black Perspex® acrylic, creating a sharper and more pronounced profile depth of 3mm or 5mm.
Can 4D plates withstand a jet wash?
Yes. Our plates use ultra-strong VHB adhesive and are weather-proof. They can safely withstand being jet-washed as long as the nozzle is kept at a distance of over 1.5 meters.
Will 4D number plates pass an MOT?
Absolutely. As long as your plates are purchased from a registered supplier like Aplates and follow the BS AU 145e standards (standard black font, correct spacing, and mandatory markings), they are fully MOT compliant.
