Ever spotted a tiny line of text at the bottom of a number plate and wondered what it’s for? You’re not alone — and no, it’s not just branding. It’s actually a legal requirement.
Every registered number plate supplier in the UK must include certain details on the plates they produce. These markings are part of DVLA number plate rules and help keep plates traceable and compliant with road laws.
The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice looks for legality. Here’s what needs to appear, why it matters, and how Demon Plates keeps things subtle but 100% legal.
1. Legal Requirement from the DVLA
Those markings you see on number plates? They’re not decoration — they’re a legal must.
According to DVLA number plate rules, every road-legal plate must show the name and postcode of the registered number plate supplier, plus a British Standard code — currently BSAU145e.
This system was introduced to help tackle cloning, fraud, and untraceable plates. It’s how authorities can trace a plate back to its source if something goes wrong.
So it’s less about branding and more about accountability — and it applies to every legal plate on the road, no matter how custom the design is.
2. What Information Must Be Displayed
So, what exactly has to show up on your number plate? Well, under DVLA number plate rules, three specific details must be visible:
What must appear on a legal number plate:
- The name or trading name of the registered number plate supplier
- Their postcode
- The current British Standard code — currently BSAU145e
This info has to appear on every plate sold for road use in the UK. It’s not optional — it’s part of keeping traceable number plates in circulation.
Where the markings typically go:
- Usually along the bottom edge of the plate
- Often aligned to the left or right, depending on layout
- Never placed in a way that blocks characters
How small or large they can legally be:
- Markings must be visible and legible
- But they’re allowed to be small — no larger than necessary
- The idea is to keep things discreet, not distracting
3. Why the Law Exists for Number Plate Suppliers
There’s a reason every legal number plate in the UK needs those markings — and it’s not just red tape. The rules were brought in to tackle real problems, and they still do a pretty good job of it.
For one, they help prevent plate cloning. Without clear supplier info, it’s far easier for someone to create fake plates and pass them off as genuine. Cloned plates are often used in thefts, scams, and toll evasion.
Second, it encourages people to use a registered supplier. That means proper checks are done — ID is verified, entitlement is confirmed, and the plate meets the current number plate standards BSAU145e.
So in a way, those small markings are a quiet form of quality control — keeping fakes off the road and helping drivers stay above board.
4. Penalties for Non-Compliant Plates
Using plates without the correct supplier details or the BSAU145e code isn’t just against the rules — it can cause real issues.
For one, your car could fail its MOT. MOT number plate requirements include correct formatting and traceable information. Without that, it’s an instant red flag.
You’re also more likely to be stopped by police, fined, or issued a penalty notice. And some insurers may question your policy’s validity if your plates aren’t legal.
So while it might seem minor, missing or incorrect markings can quickly turn into something much more serious.
5. How Reputable Suppliers Stay Within the Rules
To make legal number plates in the UK, you can’t just fire up a printer and hope for the best. Only a registered number plate supplier — one recognised by the DVLA — can legally produce plates for road use.
These suppliers are held to clear standards. Before making a plate, they need two things from the customer:
- Proof of identity
- Proof of entitlement to the registration
That might be a V5C logbook, or a valid driving licence — the idea is to stop the wrong people from making plates that aren’t theirs to use.
Once verified, suppliers must produce the plate to DVLA number plate rules, including the correct font, spacing, and of course, supplier details and the BSAU145e mark. That’s what keeps everything traceable — and legal.
6. Demon Plates: Keeping Supplier Details Discreet
Let’s face it — most drivers don’t love extra text cluttering up their plates. And if you’re buying for someone else, it’s easy to worry that the legal bits might spoil the look. That’s where Demon Plates does things a little differently.
Every plate we produce follows the letter of the law. As a registered number plate supplier, we include every required detail — the trading name, postcode, and that all-important BSAU145e marking. But we do it in a barely noticeable way.
The text is kept to a minimum size and placed discreetly along the bottom edge, well out of the way of the number itself. It’s there if you look for it, but doesn’t shout for attention. Most customers say they didn’t even spot it at first.
So you get a plate that’s fully legal, completely traceable, and — maybe best of all — still looks sharp and clean on your car.
Did You Know?
Supplier markings must be visible, but Demon Plates uses discreet number plate markings in just the right spot to keep things clean and compliant.
7. Can You Remove or Alter the Supplier Information?
It might seem like a harmless tweak — a bit of paint, a sticker, maybe even sanding it off. But here’s the deal: removing or changing the supplier details on your number plate is illegal.
The DVLA requires those markings for a reason. Without them, a plate becomes untraceable, and that opens the door to fraud. It also means your plate no longer meets the legal number plates UK standard, and that can lead to MOT failures, fines, or worse if the police pull you over.
Tampered plates can even raise questions during a sale or inspection — it’s not worth the risk.
So, if you’re after a cleaner look, the smarter option is to buy from someone who already gets the balance right. Like Demon Plates — where traceable number plates don’t mean loud branding or messy designs.
Every plate we make is DVLA-compliant, fully traceable, and designed with a clean finish. Want to see how yours could look? Try our number plate builder and customise your plate today — the legal way.