A black plate with white or silver characters is a classic number plate.
If you are lucky enough to own a pre-1980 classic or vintage vehicle you are entitled to display an older style of plate. Models built after 1st January 1980 are ineligible, despite perhaps qualifying for the historic vehicle tax class.
Can I Put Black And Silver Plates On My Classic?
If your vehicle qualifies for the DVLA's historic tax class (any vehicle over 40 years old is potentially eligible) and was manufactured before 1980, then the answer is: Yes!
If you qualify for the tax class, but the vehicle was manufactured on or after 1st January 1980 then you are unfortunately unable to display classic black and white/silver plates.
If in doubt, refer to your V5C logbook which should tell you the date the vehicle was first manufactured.
What Kind Of Plates Can I Have?
If you are wanting a vintage number plate for your vehicle, Framptons - the U.K.'s leading supplier of classic vehicle number plates - have fantastic classic car number plates for sale, with a huge range to choose from.
Hand Painted Plates
Aluminium plates are coated with a black enamel then hand painted with your registration details. Ideal for early vehicles (pre-1950) and traction engines.
Cast Aluminium Plates
Molten aluminium is poured into a custom mould unique to your number plate. Digits, borders and plate backgrounds are cast into a solid shape. Ideal for heavy duty agricultural and industrial vehicles from 1920s
Pressed Aluminium Plates
Traditionally manufactured embossed aluminium classic number plates. Plates are created by hand using stoving enamels, original dies and custom built equipment. Ideal for practical classic cars from the 1940s.
Ace Digit Plates
Ace Digits are exclusive to Framptons. The cast aluminium polished digits give an expensive feel to any restoration. Most suited to classic vehicles registered before 1963.
Raised Riveted Silver
Silver 3D style injection moulded plastic digits are riveted by hand to an aluminium plate with bevelled edge. Ideal for practical classic vehicles from the 1950s.
Raised Riveted White
White 3D style injection moulded plastic digits are riveted by hand to an aluminium plates with bevelled edge. Ideal for practical classics from the 1950s.
Smooth Black & Silver Acrylics
White or silver digits are visible through a sprayed black acrylic. Ideal for racing vehicles.
Horizontal Ribbed Plate
Corrugated silver digits are visible through a sprayed black acrylic, ideal as an alternative to smooth acrylic, particularly on vehicles from the mid 1960s to 1972.
Self Adhesive Plate
Flexible adhesive backed number plates. Ideal for vehicles with no space for a standard number plate.
Where Can I Buy Black and Silver Classic Number Plates in the UK?
If you are wanting a vintage or black number plate for your classic vehicle, Framptons the U.K.'s leading supplier of classic car and motorcycle number plates; have a wide variety of classic plates to choose from depending on the age of the vehicle.
Black, Classic Registration Plates For Motorcycles
Up until the mid 1930's many motorcycles had hand painted rear plates with 2 1/2 inch high characters. A number of bikes, particularly those manufactured in the UK, also had hand painted front curved plates. Aluminum silver or black classic number plates were introduced from the mid-1930’s which were used until 1973.
As the government began to run out of registration numbers it was decided to change the system and introduce a seventh character, the year letter. Motorcycles manufactured from 1963 - 1973 often had larger plates to fit the seventh character on the plate. Other plates used a smaller registration 1 3/4 inch high character.
