What Font Is Used On UK Number Plates?
What font is used on UK number plates?
ÔCharles WrightÕ has become the industry standard font in the UK, making it synonymous with the governmentÕs Ôprescribed fontÕ.
The ÔPrescribed FontÕ
Despite this, no single font is specifically named in the UK governmentÕs legislation document entitled The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001. This is also the case with the DVLA, as no font is specified in the their INF104 (Vehicle registration numbers and number plates) document.
However, the 2001 legislation does provide example characters which are collectively referred to as the Ôprescribed fontÕ.
Therefore, it is stated that vehicle registrations Ômust either be in the prescribed font or in a style which is substantially similar to the prescribed font so that the character is easily distinguishableÕ.
What about the Charles Wright font?
Software for number plate manufacturing typically arrives with a font called ÔCharles WrightÕ pre-loaded.
As a result, ÔCharles WrightÕ has become the industry standard in the UK, making it synonymous with the governmentÕs Ôprescribed fontÕ.
However, whilst the majority of plate makers use a variation of ÔCharles WrightÕ, you will occasionally see some plates using alternative fonts.
Rules for number plate fonts
ÒEach of the characters of the registration mark must either be in the prescribed font or in a style which is substantially similar to the prescribed font so that the character is easily distinguishableÉÓ.
The Prescribed Font Ð via The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001
Additionally, characters on all number plates (except motorcycles and tricycles) need to be a certain height and size:
characters must be 79mm tall
characters (except the number 1 or letter I) must be 50mm wide
the character stroke (the thickness of the black print) must be 14mm
the space between characters must be 11mm
the space between the age identifier and the random letters must be 33mm
the margins at the top, bottom and side of the plate must be 11mm
vertical space between the age identifier and the random letters must be 19mm
Are there differences between the Prescribed Font and Charles Wright?
There are subtle differences between the characters in the legislationÕs ÔPrescribed FontÕ and the commonly used ÔCharles WrightÕ
However, there is one major difference between the two.
As demonstrated by the image, the middle strokes of the W and M characters differ where their points converge.
Confusingly, the DVLA has used both styles in two iterations of their INF104 document. The document produced in 2014 shows the ÔPrescribed FontÕ with the thicker middle stroke, whereas the 2022 variant displays the ÔCharles WrightÕ point.
INF104_2014
INF104_2022
The issue with the sharper point, however, is that it doesnÕt conform to the rules laid out in The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001.
ÒThe character stroke (the thickness of the black print) must be 14mm.Ó
With the ÔCharles WrightÕ typeface, the converging point of its WÕs and MÕs can never meet a 14 mm thickness.
This is one of the main issues with number plates on the road today, yet it seemingly goes unnoticed.
Therefore, although the likes of the DVLA have used ÔCharles WrightÕ in their official documentation, the font character style isnÕt technically legal.
However, if you do have the pointier version of a ÔWÕ or an ÔMÕ on your plate, there probably isnÕt a lot to worry about Ð this area of the law appears relatively unknown.
About Company
Founded in 2019, Aplates has undergone intense growth over the past two years.Consequently, our operation has expanded significantly, and we now boast two premises: a manufacturing workshop and an assembly unit; both of which are located in Westbury, Wiltshire.
We have invested heavily in the equipment required to produce premium, high-quality products. This is exemplified in each and every plate we make, as we ensure the utmost care throughout the production process.
Professionalism is paramount to everything we do here at Aplates. Therefore, we endeavour to provide customers with the very best experience available on the market.
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