4D gel plates are the latest innovation in number plate design and variety. They are made with 3mm black acrylic characters crafted with premium-quality acrylic plates using high-strength 3M adhesive. The designs used for 4D plates are completely according to DVLA’s guidelines and British Standards (BS AU 145d), which means it is fully legal. People who want to know more about 4D number plates should be happy because Plate Empire is here to help you with everything, whether you want to know about it, purchase it, or customise it. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s dig into further details:
What are 4D Number Plates?
4D gel plates are the latest trend based on cutting-edge technology. They have a distinctive text style. The construction material used for these plates is mainly acrylic, and the text colour is kept dense black per the rules of British Standards for Vehicle Licences.
These number plates are modern and contemporary, with 3D effects and bland 2D-printed letters. Customers can order according to their needs and styles. When they were first introduced in 2017-2018 in the UK, their name was taken as Next-Gen Number plates or laser-cut plates. Most vehicles used a 4D number plate as the core component, which became very popular.
Is it Legal to Use 4D Number Plates?
Starting from the basic and important question, is using a 4D number plate in the UK legal? The simple and straightforward answer is Yes. Certain rules and regulations govern their use in vehicles. If followed correctly, they are absolutely safe to use. For example, the DVLA has restricted the number plate text colour to solid black, making the number plates compliant with legal requirements.
This was published in an amendment of DVLA and BNMA in 2021 that stated that the text colour of 4D legal plates should be black. This text style adheres to British Standards (BS AU 145e), making it legally acceptable. Other important considerations for making it legal are the correct character size, spacing, and margins. The font style used mostly is standard Charles Wright Font text.
Plate Empire complies with all the legal requirements for 4D acrylic plates, including stroke thickness and other relevant dimensions such as 50mm wide and 79mm high characters. However, it must be noted that tinted number plates are not road-legal in any way possible.
Meanwhile, the measurements for the motorcycle vary between a lettering stroke of 10mm, a character width of 44mm, and a character height of 64mm. These 4D number plates are smaller than the plates of vehicles and require less acrylic material. Sometimes, the police officers think these plates are illegal and may create a scene. However, recent updates show these issues are now being tackled with the recent British rules and regulations.
Coloured or Tinted 4D Plates
The DVLA banned the use of any colour in the application of a 4D reg plate. This implementation was done on 1 January 2021. Moreover, cars were banned with black and silver plates. The only colour combination allowed for the vehicle’s number plate is white with black characters and a yellow number plate with black characters.
Some companies offer special colour schemes such as neon colour effects. These are not legal according to British road rules and regulations. Hence, you should be aware beforehand so that you do not get in trouble.
Benefits of 4D Plates
4D plates are gaining huge popularity day by day; this is because they enhance the luxuriousness and visual appearance of vehicles. Their final touch on the vehicles makes the automobiles more price-worthy and unique while travelling on the road. It’s not just about appearance. It also provides security and durability features. For example, 4D plates have a practical advantage in terms of usage; their construction material is made of premium quality – acrylic material. These plates do not fade easily as they can bear or absorb all wavelengths of light on the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum reflecting towards them.
Another amazing benefit is that these plates can perform better in drastic climates like arid or extreme sunlight. Want to know some more reasons to choose these plates? Then, let us tell you that they enhance vehicle visibility at night.
According to a 2020 survey, 61% of automobiles parked outside garages at night in the UK need better visibility. Any reflective surface lessens the chance of running into a parked vehicle, resulting in better benefits.
Furthermore, expressing individuality through custom 4D plates is another added benefit. Anyone can customise it to suit their own taste, whether it’s a 4D hex number plate, a 4D short number plate, or something else entirely.
How to Clean 4D Plates?
The best way to clean your 4D plates is to use an all-purpose/multi-purpose cleaner. You can use it directly on your plates and wipe the product off with a microfiber cloth. You can also spray the cleaner onto the cloth and wipe your plates until all germs or contaminants have been eliminated. Next, you can use a low-pressure water hose to remove any remaining debris from the plate area to ensure a smooth and clean finish.
Cost Evaluation
With an insignificant price difference between printed and 4D acrylic number plates, you can typically expect a lesser cost for a printed number plate, whilst 4D plates are more expensive. You must search for competitive brands offering the best 4D plate quality at discounted prices. But let us tell you one thing: these plates offer numerous advantages worth their cost. Also, the material used in its construction makes it more durable and user-friendly for vehicle owners.
Summing Up
As you know, maintaining rules and regulations for 4D plates is very important. With these number plates, you must follow the rules and regulations for a legal road trip. Using these number plates enhances the luxuriousness and visual appeal of your vehicles. Start utilising this new style of number plates today to make your vehicles more aesthetic.
