If you’re looking at 3D gel letters for your number plate, you might be wondering what’s actually allowed on the road and what’s strictly for show. With so many styles to choose from, it’s easy to get confused. So, let’s break it down and clear up any uncertainty.
When it comes to legal options, 3D gel letters must be black, correctly sized, and spaced according to regulations. These letters come in 3mm and 5mm thicknesses, both of which are fully road legal. You can also mix 3D gel with 4D acrylic to create a 4D gel style, which, as long as it follows the same legal standards, is also fine for road use. However, there are plenty of eye-catching styles that fall into the show-plate category. Carbon, Glitter, Metallic and other designs may look great, but they don’t meet road regulations and are for display purposes only. As well as these styles, the Metro Style is designed for plates outside the UK, while they are legal there they are not road legal here due to their different sizing. You can find out more about the 4D letters here.
The thickness of your letters is another important factor. The safest and most commonly accepted range is between 3mm and 6mm, with 3mm being the most suitable for ensuring visibility. Some 7mm options exist, but they can start to obscure the letters from certain angles, which could be a security risk. Anything thicker might make your plate harder to read, which is something to keep in mind.
Why not check out our Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for updates and to see what we're up to? If you’re interested in 3D gel letters, take a look at our Devil Designer and build yourself a number plate. Thanks for reading—stay safe, and try not to give traffic officers too much to look at!