This Knowledge Base article provides number plate suppliers with information on the Background Colour. Including information on what colour it needs to be and how it reflects light. So that you only make & supply legal number plates.
Number Plate Construction
To be road-legal a number plate must comply with British Standards and Regulations. These rules cover both its reflectivity and general background colour. Alongside laws on its durability and what specific elements it needs to have on each number plate. Only when all these different criteria are met will it be compliant.
Background Colour
Part of the regulations on number plates state the mandated background colours. These are solid white on the front and yellow on the rear, to contrast with the Registration. The reason behind the colours is to help identify a vehicles orientation and direction of travel. And because it’s illegal to show white light at night on a vehicles rear. Because number plates reflect light, they’re included in this definition. Thus yellow was chosen for the rear number plates.
One of the 10 tests included in BSAU145e is Colorimetric. Here the number plate is checked for its chromaticity and luminance. Chromaticity measures the colour’s hue and saturation. And luminance measures the level of light it emits. The regulations state the minimum levels it must have to pass.
Plate Reflectivity
A number plates background must also be Retroreflective, which means it reflects light back the same way it arrived. Because the Registration number isn’t reflective, this is important safety feature that increases visibility. Not only making it easy for other drivers to see it. But is also enables enforcement camera’s to take better images and identify vehicles.
Of course, a number plates Retroreflection is also tested as part of 145e. Which means checking the different levels of reflection between the digits and background. And this covers lights applied across many different angles too, both in wet and dry conditions. Thus ensuring the number plate performs as specified by the British Standard.
Our Plate Components
If you source your number plate supplies from Tennants, you’re assured your background colour is correct. For each of the number plate constructions we offer for sale has already been tested and certified. Including the retroreflective qualities of our Dry & Wet Sheets and the LG EnviroPlate backings. Which surpass the target levels, thanks to our reflective partners Orafol & Oralite.
Further Information
This is a bite-sized number plate article on the Background Colour & Reflectivity. If you want more detailed information on legality, check out the DVLA or BNMA Website. For customers questions on your plate production setup, just contact our sales or customer services team.
