Square Number Plates
Road Legal Square Plates
for 4x4s & Imports — Made in the UK
Choose Your Square Number Plates
Pick your style, then choose 4x4 (280mm x 200mm) as your rear plate size. Your front plate can stay standard, short or hex.
3D Gel Number Plates
£49.99
Same-day dispatch available
DVLA approved & MOT friendly
3 Year Warranty
Free UK delivery on All Plates
Same-day dispatch available
DVLA approved & MOT friendly
3 Year Warranty
Free UK delivery on All Plates
Same-day dispatch available
DVLA approved & MOT friendly
3 Year Warranty
Free UK delivery on All Plates
Same-day dispatch available
DVLA approved & MOT friendly
3 Year Warranty
Free UK delivery on All Plates
What Are Square Number Plates?
A square number plate shows your registration on two lines instead of one. The first four characters sit on the top line and the last three underneath, so the plate is much narrower than a standard 520mm x 111mm plate. Our square plates are 280mm x 200mm, the size most UK drivers mean when they search for a square or 4x4 plate.
The characters are exactly the same as on a standard plate: the same DVLA font, height, width and spacing. Only the layout changes, which is why a properly made square plate is road legal.
Square plates are usually fitted to the rear of the vehicle, where the plate recess or bumper is too small or the wrong shape for a long plate. Most cars keep a standard plate at the front. If you are not sure what your car needs, measure the space for your rear plate and compare it with 280mm x 200mm, or ask us before you order.
Want a narrower plate that still sits on one line? Have a look at our short number plates.
Who Chooses Square Plates?
Most of our square plate customers drive vehicles with a squarer rear plate space than a standard UK car:
- 4x4s and off-roaders with a square recess on the tailgate or spare wheel area.
- Imported cars, especially Japanese and American imports, built for plates that are taller and narrower than a UK plate.
- Classic, kit and custom cars where a long plate would overhang the bodywork or look out of place.
Square plates are also popular with owners who simply prefer the look of a compact two-line plate on the back of the car. Whatever the reason, the plate is made to the same standard as every other plate we produce.
Built for Style and Durability
All our number plates are made using only the highest quality components. Thats why we can offer a 3 year warranty on all our number plates. Our number plates are resistant to weathering, UV exposure, and road vibration — they won't peel, fade, or delaminate under normal conditions. That's why we back every plate with a three-year warranty. If anything fails, we replace it. No argument.
Legal, Compliant & Built to Last
Every plate leaves our Hounslow workshop compliant with DVLA regulations and BS AU 145e — the British Standard for number plate materials introduced in September 2021. We use Charles Wright font at the correct character size and spacing, reflective white front and yellow rear backgrounds, and include full supplier details as required by law. If it wouldn't pass an MOT check, we won't make it.
Why Choose PlateBoss?
- Every plate manufactured in-house at our Hounslow workshop
- DVLA registered number plate supplier
- BS AU 145e compliant materials throughout
- 3-year warranty on all plates
- Hundreds of five-star Google reviews
- Free tracked UK delivery — or collect same day from Hounslow
- Order before 2pm for same-day dispatch
Same-day dispatch available
DVLA approved & MOT friendly
3 Year Warranty
Free UK delivery on All Plates
Same-day dispatch available
DVLA approved & MOT friendly
3 Year Warranty
Free UK delivery on All Plates
Same-day dispatch available
DVLA approved & MOT friendly
3 Year Warranty
Free UK delivery on All Plates
Same-day dispatch available
DVLA approved & MOT friendly
3 Year Warranty
Free UK delivery on All Plates
Are Square Number Plates Legal in the UK?
Yes. Square number plates are legal in the UK as long as the registration is displayed correctly. There is no single legal plate size; the law sets the size, font and spacing of the characters, and the margins around them.
On a square plate the characters are the same 79mm high as on a standard plate, in the same DVLA font, with the second line set 19mm below the first. The plate must also show the supplier and the BS AU 145e standard, and be made by a supplier registered with the DVLA. Every PlateBoss square plate meets all of these rules.
What you cannot do is squeeze the characters, change the spacing or use a different font to make a plate fit. If your vehicle has space for a standard plate, a standard plate is the safest choice.
What Size Is a Square Plate?
Our square (4x4) plates are 280mm wide x 200mm tall. That is the size that fits most square rear recesses on UK 4x4s and many imports.
For imported vehicles we also make Japanese import plates (330mm x 165mm) and US import plates (305mm x 152mm) on selected styles. Choose them from the rear plate size list when you build your plates.
Not sure which one fits? Measure the width and height of your rear plate space and pick the size that covers it without overhanging the edges.
Why Choose Square Plates?
A square plate fills a square recess properly instead of leaving a long plate hanging over the sides or being cut down to fit. It looks neater, sits flat and is easier to fix securely.
Because it is made in the same materials as our other plates, you still get the finish you want, from subtle 3D Gel to sharp 4D raised characters.
Square Plates vs Standard Plates
A standard plate is 520mm x 111mm with the registration on one line. A square plate is 280mm x 200mm with the registration on two lines. The characters themselves are identical, so both are equally readable and equally legal when made properly.
Choose standard if your car was designed for it, and square if your rear plate space is too narrow or too square for a long plate.
Square Plates Look Even Better With a Premium Finish
A two-line plate puts the characters front and centre, so a raised finish really stands out. Pick the style you want and choose 4x4 as your rear plate size.
Most Popular Square Plate Styles
These are the styles our square plate customers choose most often. Open any of them and pick 4x4 (280mm x 200mm) as your rear plate size.
Not Sure Which Style Is Right For You?
Every style is road legal. The difference is in the finish, the depth, and the look you're going for.
Ordering Number Plates Online...
Made Easy
Ordering your number plates online couldn't be simpler with PlateBoss.co.uk
FAQs
Are square number plates legal in the UK?
Yes. Square plates are legal as long as the characters are the standard size, font and spacing, the plate carries the BS AU 145e mark and the supplier name, and it is made by a DVLA-registered supplier. Our square plates meet all of these rules.
What size is a square number plate?
Our square (4x4) plates are 280mm x 200mm. For imports we also make Japanese (330mm x 165mm) and US (305mm x 152mm) plates on selected styles.
Can I have a square plate on the front?
Square plates are designed for the rear. Most vehicles keep a standard, short or hex plate at the front, and that is how our builder is set up. If your vehicle has an unusual front plate space, contact us before ordering.
Can I get square plates in 3D Gel or 4D?
Yes. Square plates are available in 3D Gel, 4D 3mm, 4D 6mm, 4D Gel, Bevelled and standard Printed. Choose your style, then select 4x4 as the rear plate size.
How do I order square number plates?
Open the style you want, enter your registration, choose 4x4 (280mm x 200mm) as your rear plate size and add to basket. You will need to show proof of identity and entitlement to the registration, as for any number plate.
What documents do I need to order number plates?
The law requires us to see proof of your identity and of your right to use the registration, such as your V5C logbook. See our valid documents page for the full list.
How long does delivery take?
Once we have your documents, orders in by 2pm on a weekday usually go out the same day. Royal Mail Tracked 48 is free (usually 2 working days), or choose Tracked 24 for £6.99 (usually the next working day). You can also collect free from our Hounslow workshop.
People always ask
Are Square Number Plates Road Legal?
Yes, when they are made by a DVLA-registered supplier with the correct character size, font and spacing, the BS AU 145e mark and the supplier name. All PlateBoss square plates are made this way at our Hounslow workshop, and we check your documents before we make them, as the law requires.
NEED YOUR PLATES QUICKLY?
Ordering replacement number plates, upgrading your car, or have you just purchased new private registration? Upgrade to 24hr delivery at checkout. If your order before 2pm we'll even dispatch your number plates the same day!
Join the thousands of drivers who choose PlateBoss every single month to order number plates online, fast free delivery, and a 3 year warranty to back it all up.
Square Plates From Our Hounslow Workshop
Every square plate is made to order in Hounslow, usually dispatched the same working day once we have your documents (order by 2pm), and covered by our 3-year warranty.
