The UK’s number plate legislation underwent several changes beginning on March 1, 2022. In the UK, a new registration plate is made available twice a year, on the first of March and the first of September. The “72” number plate debuted on Sept. 1, 2022, replacing the “22” plates from March. All drivers, including those who have recently acquired cars and those who currently have them on the road, will be impacted by this since new changes are intended to make the manufacturing of number plates more visible and trackable by the DVLA.
While many drivers will be excited to display “72” plates on a brand-new vehicle, others might be worried about the changes. You must check that your registration plate is still valid and effective in 2022. Here is some information about the number plate changes in the UK for 2022 to help you better understand if your number plate is legal to be displayed.
New Material for number plates
The new number plates are now made of a more durable material and they are also easier to monitor. The plates, which started being used in September of last year, are constructed from a stronger material that increases their resistance to abrasion and other damage.
It’s crucial to have the new number plate created from a much more resilient and robust material because it will remain attached to the vehicle for the duration of the vehicle’s life. The reflective material is still present, but it is now stronger and longer-lasting.
New Information
Number plates can only now be displayed with the solid black text due to the restriction on two-tone plates that employ various colours to create a 3D or 4D illusion. The front of your number plate should display black characters on a white background, and the rear plate should have black characters on a yellow background.
Additionally, new number plates must have the following information displayed:
- The brand of the company that provided them
- The company’s postal code
- The manufacturer’s name on the number plate
There are other optional displays on your number plate. Just make sure it is valid and complies with UK government laws and regulations:
- Certain flags, symbols and identifiers
- A green flash if you have a zero-emission vehicle
New Number Plate Identifier
Every March and September, a new age identifier is released. The age identifier is the third and fourth numbers of the number plate, which represent the year the car was manufactured. From Sept. 1, 2022, to the end of February 2023, the age identifier from the DVLA is “72.”
In addition, the absence of the European Union (EU) flag on the new number plates for 2022 will be more noticeable. The Union Jack flag has taken its place.
With the new number plate changes, you can have the following letters or national identifiers:
- UNITED KINGDOM, United Kingdom, or the UK
- GREAT BRITAIN, Great Britain, or GB
- CYMRU, Cymru, CYM, or Cym
- ENGLAND, England, ENG, or Eng
- SCOTLAND, Scotland, SCO, or Sco
- WALES or Wales
The flag needs to be located above the identifier. Both the flag and lettering cannot be wider than 50 millimetres on the border of the number plate.
If your number plate displays the Union flag, popularly known as the Union Jack, you do not require a UK sticker as the UK identification symbol. You will have to display a UK sticker on the rear of your vehicle if your number plate has any of the following:
- GB identifier with the Union flag
- Euro symbol
- National flag of England, Scotland, or Wales
- Numbers and letters only: no flag or identifier
Banned in the 2022 Changes of Number Plates
Two-tone number plates will not be allowed under the new law. These provide the impression that anything is three- or four-dimensional, which makes it more challenging for ANPR cameras to identify them. As a result, all number plates must now have entirely black lettering. If all other requirements are met, this can still be manufactured of acrylic or perspex.
A number plate is also immediately banned if it has anything to do with violence, sex, or prejudice. Those that evade the restriction in the past may have their number plates revoked later or fail the MOT.
Consequences
Drivers who violate the 2022 number plate changes may be subject to a fine of up to £1,000. Additionally, your car will fail its MOT if your number plates do not follow the most recent changes. Your number plate must accurately display your registration information.
You shouldn’t change letters and numbers in any way that makes reading them more difficult. The plate should be made of the proper materials and free from any patterns or designs that promote violence, sexism, or bigotry. Ensure that ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras can read your number plate and that other people can quickly identify it.
Bottom Line
Buying a new car might be an opportunity for some drivers to flaunt the fact that they drive brand-new cars. Others, however, might be concerned that they might have difficulty with the new number plate restrictions. It’s important to keep in mind that the number plate changes for 2022 are not intended to inconvenience the drivers, but rather to make it easier for everyone, including road users and authorities, to identify the number plates for security and safety reasons.
The new number plate is made of higher-quality material that will hold up better in adverse weather and heavy use. The purpose of a number plate is to identify the driver and the vehicle, not just for aesthetics.
If you want to ensure that your number plate is lawful in 2022, it’s necessary to be informed and knowledgeable about the laws and regulations governing UK number plates as well as stay up to date with updates and news.
