Are Bevelled Number Plates Legal? (4D Retro Plates Explained)
Are bevelled number plates legal? The short answer: yes. Bevelled number plates (also sold as 4D retro plates) are road legal in the UK when the raised characters are a single shade of solid black, in the standard font, size and spacing, on a reflective plate marked with the supplier’s details and BS AU 145e. The bevelled edge on each character is allowed. Extra colours, outlines or a different font are not.
Written by the PlateBoss team, led by owner HD. We’ve been making plates since 2019 and are a DVLA-registered number plate supplier with a workshop in Hounslow, west London. Checked against DVLA leaflet INF104 and GOV.UK guidance on number plates, October 2026. How we write our guides.
In this guide
- Bevelled vs 4D retro: the same plate
- Why bevelled plates are legal
- What would make a bevelled plate illegal
- Why they’re our most popular style
- FAQs
Bevelled vs 4D retro: the same plate
Customers often ask what the difference is between bevelled plates and 4D retro plates. There isn’t one. They’re the same product sold under two names: raised, laser-cut 4D characters with an angled (bevelled) edge that catches the light.
So if you’ve seen “4D retro” on one site and “bevelled” on another, the legal position is identical.
Why bevelled plates are legal
Since 1 September 2021, new and replacement plates must meet British Standard BS AU 145e. GOV.UK confirms plates can have 3D (raised) characters, as long as the characters are a single shade of black and aren’t removable or reflective.
A bevelled character is still a raised black character. The angled edge is part of its 3D shape, not a second colour or an outline, so it sits within the rules. On top of that, the plate must have:
- Characters 79mm tall and 50mm wide (except 1 and I), with 11mm between characters and 33mm between the two groups.
- Margins of at least 11mm round the edge.
- A reflective white plate at the front and yellow at the back, with no background pattern.
- The supplier’s name and postcode and BS AU 145e marked on it.
We haven’t had a single customer come back to us with an MOT problem on our bevelled plates.
Want the look without the risk? Our bevelled plates are solid black, BS AU 145e marked and laid out to DVLA rules.
See bevelled platesAsk us on WhatsAppWhat would make a bevelled plate illegal
The word “retro” makes some people think of old-style fonts or black-and-silver plates. Neither is part of a legal bevelled plate. A bevelled plate becomes illegal if it has:
- Two-tone or outlined characters, for example black with a coloured or chrome edge. Since September 2021 the characters must be one shade of black.
- A non-standard font, such as italic, script or “retro” lettering.
- Squashed spacing or moved characters to spell a word. Our guide to number plate spacing shows what’s allowed.
- No BS AU 145e or supplier marking. Show plates often leave these off; see show plates vs road-legal plates.
- Silver or black backgrounds, which are only allowed on qualifying historic vehicles (see black and silver plates).
Plates that break these rules can mean a fine of up to £1,000 and an MOT fail.
Why they’re our most popular style
Bevelled is the style we sell most of. They’re the most eye-catching plates we make, and they’re also the newest style, so a lot of customers see them on another car and come in asking for them by name.
If you’re choosing between finishes, our comparison of 3D vs 4D number plates explains how bevelled sits alongside flat 4D and gel, and our guide to how much number plates cost covers prices for each style.
Bevelled and other premium styles
Bevelled Number Plates
£69.99
4D Retro Number Plates
£69.99
4D 3mm Gel Number Plates
£59.99
4D 3mm Number Plates
£44.99Bevelled plates, made in-house. Order before 2pm for same-day dispatch with free tracked delivery, or collect from our Hounslow workshop.
Shop number platesCollect in HounslowWhatsApp usAre bevelled number plates legal? FAQs
Are bevelled number plates legal in the UK?
Yes, when the raised characters are one solid shade of black in the standard font and spacing, on a reflective plate marked with the supplier’s details and BS AU 145e.
Are 4D retro number plates legal?
Yes. 4D retro and bevelled are the same product under two names, so the same rules apply.
Will bevelled plates pass an MOT?
Yes, if they meet BS AU 145e and the normal character, spacing and marking rules. None of our bevelled customers has come back with an MOT problem.
Can bevelled characters have a coloured edge?
No. Since 1 September 2021 characters must be a single shade of black, so coloured, chrome or outlined edges aren’t road legal.
What does “retro” mean on a bevelled plate?
It describes the look of the bevelled edge, not the font. A legal bevelled plate still uses the standard number plate font.
