Everything you need to know about fitting your new plates — from choosing the right method to tips for 3D Gel and 4D styles.
Fitting a new number plate is a straightforward job most people can do in under 15 minutes with no specialist tools. Whether you're mounting standard plates, upgrading to 3D Gel, or fitting new plates to a motorbike, this guide walks you through every step. Read it end-to-end before you start — a little preparation makes the whole job much cleaner and neater.
There are two main fitting methods: screws with screw caps (the most secure, recommended for front plates and most vehicles) and self-adhesive sticky pads (cleaner look, good for rear plates on newer vehicles with a flat, recessed plate area). Some people use a combination of both for extra security.
Taking five minutes to prepare properly will give you a much cleaner finish. The most important step is ensuring the mounting surface is clean, dry, and free from any old adhesive, wax, or grease before you begin.
Before fitting your new plates, remove the old ones carefully. If they were screw-fitted, unscrew and discard the old screws and caps (reusing old, corroded fixings is a common cause of loose plates). If they were adhesive-fitted, use a thin plastic card or trim removal tool to gently prise the plate away. Avoid metal tools near paintwork.
Once the old plate is off, clean the mounting area thoroughly. Any remaining adhesive residue can be removed with IPA or adhesive remover. Let the surface dry completely — at least five minutes — before proceeding. Do not use WD-40 or silicone-based sprays near the mounting area as these will prevent adhesive from bonding.
Hold your new plate against the mounting area and use a tape measure to check it is centred left-to-right and level. Use masking tape strips at the top corners to temporarily hold the plate in position while you confirm alignment. Step back and view from a distance — small misalignments are far more obvious from a few metres away than when you're standing directly in front of the vehicle.
Screw fitting is the traditional and most secure method. It's the right choice for front plates on all vehicles (where the plate is more exposed to air resistance and road debris), and for any situation where you want a permanent, rattle-free fix. Most vehicles have pre-existing number plate holes — if yours does, you simply need to align them with the holes in your new plate.
Self-adhesive double-sided tape pads give a clean, screw-free finish and are popular for rear plates, especially on modern vehicles with a recessed plate mounting area (which provides a flat surface for the adhesive to grip). They are not recommended for front plates, where road speed and debris can stress the bond over time.
Motorcycle number plates are smaller than car plates (229×178mm is the most common size) and are typically mounted on the rear of the bike on a dedicated plate bracket. The fitting process is broadly similar to car plates, but there are a few important differences to be aware of.
Most motorcycles use a number plate bracket that bolts directly to the rear subframe or swingarm. Some brackets include built-in number plate lights (required by law for the rear plate to be lit after dark). Check your existing bracket to confirm it has a working plate light before fitting your new plate.
3D Gel plates are made from the same acrylic base as standard plates, but the characters are formed from a raised polyurethane gel that gives a genuine three-dimensional appearance. They are legal, durable, and increasingly popular. Fitting them is no different to fitting standard plates, with one very important exception.
When drilling holes in a 3D Gel plate, you must ensure your drill bit does not pass through or even near any of the gel characters. The gel letters are bonded to the plate surface and drilling near them can cause the gel to delaminate, cracking or peeling the letters away from the base plate. Always position your holes well clear of the lettering — typically at the extreme corners of the plate.
Avoid high-pressure jet washing aimed directly at the gel characters. The gel is extremely robust under normal road use, but sustained direct jet wash pressure at close range can lift the edges of the letters over time. A normal car wash or careful hand washing is perfectly fine. Do not use solvent-based cleaners on the gel surface.
Acrylic plates — including 3D Gel — can become slightly more brittle in very cold weather. If fitting in winter, bring the plate indoors to room temperature for 30 minutes before fitting. This makes the material more flexible and reduces the (already small) risk of cracking during screw fitting.
4D plates feature letters laser-cut from solid acrylic and bonded to the plate face, giving bold, crisp edges and a striking depth effect. They are legal, tough, and have a premium appearance. Like 3D Gel plates, fitting is identical to standard plates with one key consideration.
The 4D characters are made from solid acrylic bonded to the plate surface. Drilling anywhere near the characters creates significant vibration that can cause the letters to crack or detach. Use only the pre-drilled holes in the base plate, which are positioned at the corners well clear of the characters. If additional holes are needed, position them at the extreme edges of the plate where there is no character material.
Screw fitting through the pre-drilled corner holes is the safest method for 4D plates. If you prefer sticky pads, apply them to areas of the back of the plate that do not correspond to the raised character positions on the front — the acrylic letters create very slight raised areas on the reverse, and sticky pads sit slightly better on the flat portions of the plate back.
4D acrylic letters bond very securely to the plate during manufacture, but sustained high vibration — as experienced on some high-performance bikes or vehicles with aftermarket exhausts — can theoretically stress the bond over long periods. On standard road cars and motorcycles, this is not an issue. If you have a track day vehicle or an unusually vibration-heavy application, 3D Gel plates (where characters are formed from flexible gel rather than rigid acrylic) may be a more durable long-term choice.
We stock a fitting kit containing everything you need to fit your new plates — stainless steel screws in both white and yellow cap options, number plate sticky pads, and fitting instructions. It's available to add to your order on the plate builder page at checkout for just £4.99.
If you order a fitting kit alongside your plates, everything arrives together so there's no need to make a separate hardware shop visit. It's particularly useful if you're ordering new plates for the first time, if your existing fixings are rusty or missing, or if you're fitting plates to a second vehicle at the same time.
To add a fitting kit, simply check the "Add Fitting Kit" option during the plate building process before adding to your basket.
Can I reuse the screws and caps from my old plates?
We'd recommend against it. Old screws are often corroded and may snap when tightened, and old caps tend to have lost their snap-fit and won't sit cleanly. New screws and caps are inexpensive and ensure a secure, neat finish. You can add a full fitting kit to your order at checkout.
Do I need any special tools to fit number plates?
Not usually. Most vehicles have pre-existing holes that align with standard plate hole positions, in which case you just need a screwdriver and the correct screws. If you need to drill new holes, a basic cordless drill with a 3–4mm plastic drill bit is all that's required.
Can number plates be fitted in the rain?
Screw fitting can be done in any weather, though it's obviously more comfortable when dry. Sticky pad fitting should always be done on a clean, dry surface — rain will prevent the adhesive from bonding correctly. Ideally, clean and dry the surface with an IPA wipe even if it looks dry, as invisible contamination affects the bond.
My new plate holes don't line up with the existing holes on my bumper. What should I do?
This is fairly common, particularly with older vehicles or those where the bumper has been replaced. The simplest solution is to use sticky pads instead of screws, which don't require aligned holes. Alternatively, drill new holes in the bumper at the positions that align with the plate holes, using a 3–4mm plastic drill bit. Mark carefully before drilling.
Is there a legal requirement for how plates must be fixed?
UK law requires number plates to be clearly legible and securely attached so they cannot fall off or become obscured during normal use. There is no specific legal requirement for screws versus sticky pads — both are acceptable as long as the plate is secure. A plate that falls off while driving is a legal offence, so make sure your chosen fitting method is appropriate for your vehicle.
Can I fit plates myself or does a garage need to do it?
There is no legal requirement to have plates fitted by a garage. Fitting your own plates is perfectly legal and straightforward for the vast majority of vehicles. If you are uncertain or your vehicle has unusual mounting arrangements, any garage or tyre/exhaust centre can fit plates in a few minutes, usually at minimal or no charge.
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