Car enthusiasts have been modifying number plates of different types of vehicles for a long time. One of the styles that has been increasingly popular is tinted gel number plates. Tinted gel number plates employ a transparent black gel, which is said to improve visibility and contrast. Are tinted gel number plates regulation compliant or not – we investigate the legality.
It is the aim of this blog to study the legality of tinted gel number plates. Such an analysis will help any car owner looking to sport one.
Understanding Number Plate Regulations
The regulations concerning vehicle number plates must first be examined to gain an understanding of whether tinted gel number plates are legitimate. The number plates have strict guidelines in place in most countries including the UK. The regulations surrounding vehicle number plates include strict instructions to ensure that these plates remain readable to both the human eye and camera systems such as ANPR (automatic number plate recognition). It is important for the police and other agencies to be able to read number plates properly.
In the UK, number plates must conform to the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001. The standards given in the above regulations explain the size (height, width, and thickness), fonts, colours (including background colours), and spacing between the characters on the number plates. Also, the number plate must be a reflective type to ensure it is visible in low lighting. Alterations which could obscure or affect the clarity or legibility of the number plate are potentially going to be checked.
The Issue with Tinted Gel Number Plates
Typically, tinted gel number plates are made from a gel-like material that provides a raised, three-dimensional effect to the lettering. The process of tinting means putting a layer of color that can be subtle or quite dark. This color can change how easy it is to see the letters compared to the plate's background.
The legality of tinted gel number plates is in question at this stage. In the UK, for example, the law requires that number plates must have black characters on a white background for the front plate and black characters on a yellow background for the rear plate. If the color code is changed or the color of the characters or background is altered due to tints, then that number plate will not be legal. The gel material itself is not illegal but the tint part could be an issue as it may alter the plate from meeting the colour and reflective standard prescribed. It should be noted that implementation of these rules may vary.
Consequences of Using Illegal Plates
Some motorists could use tinted gel number plates without immediate consequence. Others, though, may be stopped by the cops or fail their inspections. This inconsistency creates confusion amongst vehicle owners regarding what's allowed and what's not. If caught, you could be fined or banned from driving.
If a vehicle has illegal number plates, then the owner could be fined and can also be asked to replace their number plate with a legal one. In certain situations, offenders may receive more significant punishment for their repeated offenses as points on their drivers. In addition, unregistered number plates can also affect your insurance claims since your insurer may deny any claims related to your vehicle if it doesn’t comply with legal standards. So, it’s important for vehicle owners to think about the legality of tinted gel number plates beforehand.
Legal Alternatives
Talking to local vehicle authorities or legal experts can clarify the specific regulations in a specific area. Other companies are making number plates that are 3D or 4D, but legal. Regulations may not allow tinted gel number plates, but there are 3D and 4D options that should be fine; that’s if you are testing your luck! For instance, one option is to pick a tint that does not affect the plate’s contrast/reflectivity much.
Some drivers choose to keep fitted tinted gel number plates just for show or while in their garages, using the legal plates on the road.
Final Thoughts
To wrap up, gel number plates are not banned, but placing a darker shade or tint over them is illegal. However, is that the only thing one needs to comply with? While the gel in itself may not be illegal, tinting may result in the plate becoming unreadable which may be against the law.
Before getting tinted gel number plates, vehicle owners must be careful and fully think it through to avoid getting into trouble. Keeping abreast of the local laws will ensure that consumers and motorists can customize the looks of their vehicles without any legal hassles.