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Retro style number plate with gloss black raised lettering on a yellow rear plate

Retro

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SKU:
05-1
Price:
£64.99 Per Pair
Front Plate Standard:
Included
Rear Plate Standard:
Included
Front Plate Hex:
+£10
Rear Plate Hex:
+£10
Front Plate Japanese Import JDM Plates:
+£10
Rear Plate Japanese Import JDM Plates:
+£10
Front Plate Motorbike / Quadbike Plate:
+£5
Rear Plate Motorbike / Quadbike Plate:
+£5
Rear Plate Oversize:
+£10
Rear Plate 4 x 4 Square:
+£10
Front Plate Shortened:
+£5
Rear Plate Shortened:
+£5
display-title:
Retro Number Plates
display-price:
64.99
  • A rear number plate with the word "STANDARD" printed on it where the registration would normally be printed
  • A Utopia Plates shortened rear number plate featuring the word "SHORT"
  • A hex rear number plate featuring the text "HEX"
  • A rear number plate with the word "STANDARD" printed on it where the registration would normally be printed
  • A Utopia Plates shortened rear number plate featuring the word "SHORT"
  • A hex rear number plate featuring the text "HEX"
  • Oversize rear number plate featuring the text "OVERSIZE"
  • A 4x4 rear UK number plate with the text 4X4 REAR printed on it
  • The leftmost edge of a rear number plate featuring the Union Flag and the letters UK
  • The leftmost edge of a rear number plate featuring the St George's flag and the letters ENG
  • The leftmost edge of a rear number plate featuring the Saltire and the letters "SCO" below
  • The leftmost edge of a rear number plate, featuring the Green Flash section to signify the vehicle is an EV
  • The leftmost edge of a rear number plate featuring the Welsh Dragon flag and word "CYMRU"
  • The leftmost edge of a rear number plate featuring the Union Flag and the letters UK
  • The leftmost edge of a rear number plate featuring the St George's flag and the letters ENG
  • The leftmost edge of a rear number plate featuring the Saltire and the letters "SCO" below
  • The leftmost edge of a rear number plate, featuring the Green Flash section to signify the vehicle is an EV
  • The leftmost edge of a rear number plate featuring the Welsh Dragon flag and word "CYMRU"
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Retro 4D number plates have solid black acrylic characters with a pyramid profile, peaked along the centre line of every stroke so each letter and digit has two sloping faces that catch the light differently, the look of the pressed metal plates fitted decades ago. For a long time this was a style you could only buy over the counter at our County Durham shop. Sold as a pair (front and rear) for cars and vans, made by a DVLA-registered number plate supplier on a reflective BS AU 145e plate. Order before 2pm on a working day with your documents approved and we make them the same day.

How it is made

Each Charles Wright character is made at the prescribed size and spacing with a face that rises to a ridge along the middle of every stroke instead of sitting flat. The characters are solid black acrylic throughout, with a gloss finish, and are bonded with a high-strength adhesive to a white front or yellow rear reflective plate carrying our supplier name, postcode and the BS AU 145e mark. Retro is a shaped style rather than a layered one; the layered styles are Outline, Hover and Shadow, and the flat-faced 4D 3mm plate and 4D 5mm plate are the plain versions. Our 4D number plates guide compares every style.

Is it road legal?

Yes, when the finished plate meets BS AU 145e as a whole: Charles Wright characters at the right size and spacing, a single shade of non-reflective black, a reflective background with no tint or pattern, and a registered supplier's mark. Every Retro plate we make is built to that. The sloping faces do not stop a camera reading it; tint, a patterned background, a non-standard font or spacing, or damage do. Our guide to 3D and 4D number plate legality covers the rules, ANPR and infrared.

A proposed BSI amendment that would stop the production of raised-character plates was consulted on until 13 December 2025 and is still under consideration; nothing has been adopted, BS AU 145e:2018 remains the current standard, and 4D plates remain legal to make, sell and fit. We have not been told when any change would take effect or how plates already fitted would be treated, and we will say so here as soon as we are. Checked 8 September 2026.

Sizes

A standard car plate is 520mm × 111mm. Retro is also made as a shortened plate cut to your registration with a 16mm margin, a 4x4 square rear plate, an oversize rear plate and a hex plate.

Care

Wash with the car, by hand or with a pressure washer at a sensible distance, and keep solvents and abrasive polish off the gloss faces. See cleaning your 3D or 4D number plates.

Warranty

36 months against manufacturing defects, which covers the plate, the print and the bond between character and plate. It does not cover damage from fitting, impact or chemicals.

What to order

Select Retro in the plate builder, or call in and see one at the counter. Proof of registration is required either way (valid documents); postage options are under delivery options.

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