There’s something undeniably satisfying about the solid clink of a pressed metal number plate. It’s a sound that speaks of craftsmanship, precision, and nostalgia — a subtle throwback to the days when things were built to last. If you’ve ever spotted a classic car gleaming in the sun with raised metal digits proudly catching the light, you’ve already experienced the appeal.
As someone who’s spent years writing about everything from vehicle compliance to number plate design, I’ve seen countless trends come and go. But the resurgence in demand for pressed metal number plates isn’t just a passing phase. It’s a growing movement — driven by car enthusiasts, import lovers, and riders alike — all looking to combine legality with standout style.
At JDM Plates, we don’t just follow that demand — we manufacture for it. With full DVLA registration, an eye for detail, and the ability to produce the smallest legal number plates in the UK, we’re proud to be the name behind the most compliant and customisable metal registration plates on the road.
But before you decide to bolt one onto your pride and joy, let’s take a proper look at what pressed plates actually are — and whether they’re right (and legal) for your vehicle.
Pressed metal number plates — often referred to as aluminium number plates — are exactly what they sound like: metal plates that feature raised characters formed by literally pressing them into the surface using a hydraulic press. These characters are usually coated or painted for contrast, giving the plate a sharp, embossed finish that stands out far more than its acrylic counterpart.
They’ve got a certain old-school charm, don’t they? In fact, I remember the first time I noticed one up close — it was on the back of a Datsun Fairlady tucked away at a car show in Kent. The texture, the light bounce, the finish — it all looked miles apart from standard plastic plates. That’s when I first understood their growing appeal. They’re not just functional; they’re statement pieces for vehicles.
These plates were historically the go-to style for UK vehicles before the widespread adoption of plastic/acrylic designs. Today, they’re often found on:
And while they’ve got that nostalgic edge, modern pressed plates can be bang up to date with today’s regulations. The key lies in how they’re made and the standards they follow — but we’ll get to that shortly.
From a construction point of view, these plates are built from aluminium — a lightweight yet corrosion-resistant metal that doesn’t crack like plastic. When manufactured properly (as we do in-house at JDM Plates), they meet both durability expectations and legal requirements, providing the best of both worlds.
So, whether you’re restoring a ’70s MGB or fitting out your wide-body Supra, pressed metal number plates can give your vehicle that perfect finishing touch — all while keeping you on the right side of the law.
If you’ve spent time in online car forums or browsing social media builds, you’ve probably seen debates about the legality of pressed metal number plates. It’s a fair question — one that comes up time and time again, especially from owners of modern vehicles who want that retro aesthetic without risking a failed MOT or a roadside fine. Approximately 28.38% of vehicles fail their MOT tests initially and these normally relate to lamps, reflectivors and electrical equipment so don’t give MOT testers any additional reasons to fail your MOt; particularly with pressed metal number plates!
Here’s the bottom line: pressed metal plates are legal in the UK — but only when they meet very specific criteria.
Let’s break that down:-
To be road legal, metal registration plates must comply with British Standard BS AU 145e, which came into full effect from September 2021. This standard governs everything from reflectivity to font, spacing, and plate durability — and yes, it applies to both plastic and metal plates.
Here’s what a road legal pressed metal plate must include:
So if your current metal plates are missing any of the above, they’re not legal for UK road use — simple as that.
Now, if you’re restoring a classic vehicle, you might be in luck.
Pressed plates with a black background and silver embossed characters are legal, but only for vehicles first registered before 1 January 1980 (previously 1973, but extended under classic vehicle tax exemption rules). These are often fitted to vintage British cars and early imports.
Modern vehicles, however, must use the white/yellow reflective style plates to remain legal — regardless of whether they’re made of plastic or aluminium.
It’s tempting to grab a cheap pair of plates online, especially when they look great in a photo. But if they’re not from a DVLA-registered supplier like JDM Plates, you’re taking a real gamble.
Fitting illegal number plates could result in:
At JDM Plates, every plate we produce — including our pressed metal options — is made to BS AU 145e standards and carries the required markings. That means our plates not only look the part but are fully compliant for UK road use.
There’s something reassuring about buying from a business that actually understands the rules. Not just the design trends or the styling preferences of car culture, but the actual DVLA regulations, British Standards, and what makes a plate road legal in the UK. That’s exactly what sets JDM Plates apart.
Unlike sellers who import mass-produced plates or outsource manufacturing to third-party printers, every pressed metal plate we offer is built in-house, here in the UK. That means we oversee every single detail — from the type of aluminium used to the depth of the embossing and the durability of the finish.
You could compare it to having a tailored suit versus buying one off the peg. Sure, both might look alright from a distance, but when you inspect the details — the fit, the stitching, the finish — only one truly stands out. That’s the kind of pride we take in the plates we produce.
We’re a DVLA-registered number plate supplier, and proud of it. That might sound like a formality, but it’s what legally allows us to manufacture and supply road legal pressed metal number plates in the UK. You can find us listed right on the GOV.UK DVLA supplier registry.
What does this mean for you?
No grey areas. No knock-offs. No hidden surprises.
Pressed plates are all about the look — we get that. Whether it’s going on a slammed EP3 Civic, a resto-mod Escort, or a custom-built café racer, the visual appeal matters.
That’s why we offer:
It’s not just about being legal — it’s about getting the right plate for your car. We specialise in the smallest legal number plates in the UK, perfect for vehicles with limited mounting space or those looking for a sleeker, cleaner rear-end.
One of the most common bits of feedback we get — and we’re proud of this — is just how easy we make the process. You don’t need to scroll through dozens of outdated forms or guess whether you’ve picked the legal option.
At JDM Plates:
We’ve helped thousands of UK motorists switch from generic to standout plates, all while keeping things 100% legal. That’s why so many customers come back to us when it’s time for their next project.
If there’s one thing we’ve learnt from helping thousands of UK drivers personalise their vehicles, it’s this: there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all when it comes to number plates. What fits a 4×4 Defender is never going to sit right on the bumper of a Nissan Silvia, and motorcycles? They’re in a class of their own. We do offer a range of shaped number plates but only in the normal acrylic material including the 4D number plate text style finishing. Unfortunately, pressed metal number plates only come in very few basic sizes.
That’s exactly why we offer a full range of custom plate sizes, styles, and fitment options — all road legal, all BS AU 145e compliant, and all manufactured to the same high standard you expect from JDM Plates. The current British Standard for number plates is BS AU 145e, which became mandatory on 1st September 2021. All number plates manufactured, sold, or fitted from that date must comply with this standard and thats exactly what our pressed metal number plates conform to!
Whether you need something traditional or something tailored, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s what we offer:
We take pride in offering the smallest legal number plates in the UK, particularly for cars with fewer digits. That attention to proportion not only looks better but can often solve the problem of awkward fitment on modified or imported bumpers.
Pressed metal plates are more rigid than acrylic, which means proper mounting is essential for both safety and aesthetics.
At JDM Plates, we supply:
We know a plate is more than just a legal formality — it’s part of your build’s identity. That’s why we allow a wide range of customisation options, while still maintaining full legality.
Options include:
And if you’re unsure what’s permitted or which design matches your car’s age and registration type — our team is on hand to guide you through every step.
Ordering a number plate shouldn’t feel like applying for a mortgage. Sadly, some websites make it harder than it needs to be — confusing layouts, unclear requirements, and more legal jargon than help. At JDM Plates, we’ve taken a different approach: make it easy, make it legal, make it look great.
Whether you’re replacing worn-out acrylic plates or customising a project car, we’ve made sure our pressed metal number plate ordering process is as smooth as possible — all while keeping you fully compliant with DVLA regulations.
Start by visiting our Number Plate Generator. It’s a simple, visual tool where you can:
This is where you can see how your registration mark will appear in raised metal lettering before committing — a feature customers tell us they love.
Pressed metal or not, every legal number plate supplier in the UK is required by law to see two documents before creating your plates:
We’ve made uploading these quick and secure, with clear guidance on what’s accepted. And don’t worry — we don’t store or reuse your data. It’s a one-time verification to keep things above board.
Once you’re happy with your design and you’ve uploaded your documents, just head to checkout. Here’s what makes us different:
Fast, secure, and simple — just how it should be.
Once your order is in, we get to work. Every pressed plate is:
No third-party vendors. No delays. No risk of getting plates that won’t pass an MOT.
And if you ever have a question along the way, our support team is always on hand — ready to help, not just sell.
Pressed metal number plates might look similar across different sellers, but scratch beneath the surface — quite literally — and the differences start to show. There’s a growing number of online sellers offering cheap, non-compliant plates that might look slick in photos but won’t pass an MOT or DVLA inspection. That’s where many motorists go wrong.
If you’re shopping for metal registration plates for the first time, or even upgrading from old acrylic ones, there are a few things worth knowing before you buy — especially if you want to avoid wasting money or getting fined.
This is one of the most common misconceptions. Just because a plate is made of metal and has raised lettering doesn’t mean it’s automatically legal.
Here are the most common signs of a non-road-legal pressed plate:
Some sellers even market illegal styles as “show plates,” hoping customers don’t realise the risk. But using these on public roads can lead to:
At JDM Plates, we require proof of identity and entitlement not because we want to make things difficult — but because it’s the law.
If a supplier doesn’t ask for these, they’re either:
By ordering from a compliant supplier, you’re ensuring your vehicle remains fully legal, and you’re doing your bit to help reduce number plate cloning and vehicle-related fraud.
Buy Once, Buy Right
It’s tempting to save a few pounds on cheap, imported plates. But ask yourself — is it worth the risk?
You wouldn’t fit knock-off brake pads or a fake MOT — and your number plates are no different. They’re the first thing people see on your car and one of the first things police check on the road.
With JDM Plates:
Our plates are built to last and guaranteed to pass every road test — from daily driving to your next MOT inspection.
We get a lot of questions about pressed metal number plates, especially from customers who want something that stands out — but still passes an MOT. Below are the most common questions we receive, answered clearly and simply.
Yes, but only when they meet the legal requirements set out in BS AU 145e. This includes correct font, spacing, reflective background (for modern vehicles), and the presence of the supplier’s name, postcode, and a BS marking. JDM Plates ensures every plate we manufacture complies fully with these standards.
Only if your vehicle was first registered before 1 January 1980. Black and silver plates are reserved for classic vehicles under the Historic Vehicle taxation class. If your car is newer, you’ll need to use white (front) and yellow (rear) reflective backgrounds.
To order any legal number plate in the UK — including pressed metal plates — you’ll need to upload:
JDM Plates has a secure and easy upload process during checkout.
Yes. We specialise in short pressed metal number plates, designed to perfectly fit shorter registrations and imported vehicles. Our short plates are BS AU 145e compliant and fully road legal when sized correctly for the reg mark.
Absolutely. We offer motorcycle-sized pressed metal number plates that meet legal sizing and spacing requirements for bikes and mopeds. Ideal for standard, custom, or imported bikes.
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DVLA is a registered trademark of the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency. JDM Plates is not affiliated to the DVLA or DVLA Personalised Registrations. JDM Plates is a recognised reseller of DVLA registrations. JDM Plates is also registered with the DVLA to supply physical number plates, i.e. the actual acrylic plate.
JDM Plates is a trading style of CJ – Hanley Trading Limited, registered at JDM Plates, Charles Street, Great Yarmouth, NR30 3LA and registered in England & Wales at Companies House under Company Number 11309345 and with the Information Commissioner’s Office for Data Protection under Registration Number ZB822794. CJ – Hanley Trading Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority: Firm Reference Number: 1020385. We are a credit broker and not a lender and provide products from a panel of lenders. CJ – Hanley Trading Limited will not charge a fee to customers using its services and will not receive a commission payment from a lender for a referral. Finance is subject to status and terms and conditions apply.
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