Short
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Plate styles

Short Number Plates

From £39.99 per printed pair · Short adds £5 per plate

Every lettering finish is available on this shape. Choose a front plate, rear plate or pair in the builder.

Short number plates cut to fit your registration, with less empty space either side. Road legal, with flags and borders, as a single plate or a pair.

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You’ll need proof of identity (for example a driving licence or a recent bank statement) and proof of entitlement to the registration (for example your V5C). A clear phone photo is fine. Send them after you order. What we accept

Will it fit? Measure your space, then find your plate’s width in our size guide.

Free Royal Mail Tracked 48. Production starts once your documents are verified — typically dispatched within 1–2 working days of approval, and Royal Mail aims to deliver within two to three working days of dispatch.

  • Road legal BS AU 145e certified, correct DVLA spacing
  • Free UK delivery Royal Mail Tracked 48 on every plate order
  • 36 month warranty Against manufacturing defects
  • Made in the UK Manufactured to order, never from stock

Short number plates tailored to your registration

Short number plates use a reduced rectangular outline with rounded corners. They keep your chosen lettering finish while reducing unused space at either end of the registration. A shorter registration can make the difference from a full-size plate more noticeable.

How the finished width is determined

There is no single width for every Short plate. The characters in your registration, their required spacing and the chosen options determine the layout. Enter your own registration in the builder to compare its proportions; the sample image is an illustration of the shape rather than a measurement for every order.

  • Shape surcharge: £5 for each Short plate, or £10 when both are Short.
  • Printed pair example: £39.99 with both plates Short, before flags, borders and extras.
  • Lettering: compatible with all nine active finishes.
  • Options: national flags, a green flash and a printed black border are available.

Adding a flag, flash or border

A flag or green-flash band adds space at the left of a Short plate. The registration area is retained instead of reducing the character size to make room, so a band can increase the overall width. Flags and flashes cost £2 per selected plate. Choose a green flash only for a zero-emission vehicle.

A black border follows the shortened outline and costs £1 per plate. It is a printed edge detail, separate from raised gel or acrylic lettering. Use the preview to compare the unbordered and bordered versions with your chosen band.

Short on one side, another shape on the other

The front and rear can use different shapes with the same registration. Keep “Same as front” enabled for a matched pair, or unlink Shape to combine a Short front with a Standard rear. Lettering, flags and borders also have their own matching controls.

Measure before replacing a full-size plate

Check the usable mounting area, existing screw holes, brackets and any adhesive or paint marks. A shorter outline may reveal areas previously covered by a standard plate, and some rectangular holders will be unsuitable. Contact us with your registration and measurements if you need help assessing fit. We verify your identity and entitlement documents before production; free standard UK delivery is included.

FAQ

Questions about Short plates.

Anything we haven’t covered here is on the full FAQ page, or a phone call away.

Short changes the outer plate shape, not the registration into a smaller or differently spaced display. Character layout and the required margins still matter; see GOV.UK display guidance.

Letter styles

Choose your style.

Printed

Printed

Standard flat printed plates. Clean, road legal finish.

£29.99per pairView style
3D Gel Resin

3D Gel Resin

Domed resin gel letters with a premium raised finish.

£39.99per pairView style
4D 3mm Acrylic

4D 3mm Acrylic

Laser-cut 3mm acrylic letters for a bold raised look.

£49.99per pairView style
4D 5mm Acrylic

4D 5mm Acrylic

Extra depth 5mm acrylic for maximum visual impact.

£54.99per pairView style
4D Gel
Best seller

4D Gel

4D acrylic combined with gel resin for the ultimate finish.

£64.99per pairView style
Retro

Retro

Pyramid-cut black characters whose sloping faces catch the light, in the manner of classic pressed plates.

£64.99per pairView style
Outline

Outline

Layered black acrylic with a raised outline around each character.

£74.99per pairView style
Shadow

Shadow

Layered black acrylic for depth and a bold, defined character face.

£74.99per pairView style
Hover

Hover

Laser-cut black acrylic characters raised on a slimmer riser, so the lettering appears to float above the plate.

£74.99per pairView style

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