Bike plates follow the same principles as car plates – legal font, black characters, reflective yellow background – but with their own layout and character sizes. Here’s everything a rider needs to know.
In this guide
Rear plate only (for most bikes)
Motorcycles and motor tricycles registered on or after 1 September 2001 must display a number plate at the rear only. Bikes registered before that date may also carry a front plate, but it’s optional.
Two lines, 64mm characters
A motorcycle plate shows the registration on two lines – the first group on top and the second underneath. The characters are smaller than on a car:
| Measurement | Motorcycle |
|---|---|
| Character height | 64mm |
| Character width (except 1 and I) | 44mm |
| Stroke | 10mm |
| Space between characters | 10mm |
| Space between the two lines | 13mm |
| Margins | 11mm minimum |
Which size is legal?
The common legal size is 229 × 178mm (9 × 7 inches), which fits a full seven-character current registration on two lines with legal margins.
| Size | Legal for road? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 229 × 178mm (9 × 7″) | Yes | Standard size for 2001-on bikes |
| 203 × 152mm (8 × 6″) | Usually not | Too small for legal margins with most registrations |
| 178 × 127mm (7 × 5″) | No | Show only |
Small 7 × 5″ and 8 × 6″ plates are popular on sports bikes, but for most registrations they can only fit legal characters by shrinking them – which isn’t allowed. Our builder marks them as show-only. More in number plate sizes.
Style options
Everything that’s legal on a car is legal on a bike: printed, 3D gel, 4D and 5D characters, and a UK identifier with the Union flag if there’s room. Most riders choose 4D for a sharp look on a compact tail.
Fitting to a tail tidy
- Use the mounting holes on your tail tidy or plate hanger, with nylon washers to stop vibration cracks.
- Fit a number plate light – it’s required, and LED tail tidies usually include one.
- Make sure the plate is near vertical and not hidden by the rear tyre hugger or luggage.
- Check that indicators and reflectors don’t cover any characters.
See how to fit number plates for step-by-step instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Do motorcycles need a front number plate?
Not if they were registered on or after 1 September 2001. Older bikes may have one but don’t need to.
Can a motorbike plate be on one line?
No – a motorcycle plate should show the registration on two lines.
Are 7 x 5 motorcycle plates legal?
For most registrations, no. They’re too small to fit 64mm characters with legal margins, so they’re sold as show plates.
Can I have a flag on my motorcycle plate?
Yes, if there’s room without encroaching on the margins. On a 9 × 7 plate it’s often tight, so many riders skip it.
