License Plate Frames

A licence plate frame, or number plate surround, gives the plate a finished edge and some protection against chips and bending. It also hides a sharp plate edge and can stop a plate rattling against the bumper. The frame listed here suits owners who want a tidier look than a bare plate on its bracket.

A number plate is the car’s legal identity, so anything around it must leave every character, the country band and any official stickers or seals fully visible. Tinted or reflective covers over the plate are widely banned, and the rear plate must stay lit by its lamp at night.

Plate formats differ between countries and sometimes between the front and rear of one car, from long single-line plates to shorter two-line ones. A frame only works when its opening matches the plate.

Before fitting, check three things:

• Size: compare the frame’s opening with the plate, front and rear.
• Clearance: parking sensors, cameras, the boot release and the plate lamps must still work.
• Fixings: the frame should use the existing mounting points, without drilling through the characters.

Use stainless or plastic screws so rust cannot streak the plate, and keep the plate flat, as a bowed plate is harder to read. Check the screws again after a few weeks, since vibration can loosen them. Clean frame and plate with mild soap, because solvents can dull the reflective coating.