Registration number plates have been a feature of British motoring since 1902 when the first vehicle registration number was issued, A1 in London. Since then there have been several different formats to vehicle registration number plates. The number displayed on plates are the vehicle registration numbers to give them their official title.
Registration number plates on vehicles in the UK have a strict set of rules determining how the vehicle registration number is displayed. Only vehicles manufactured before 1st September 1973 are able to display black and grey number plates or classic number plates as they are sometimes referred to.
Vehicles made after this date legally have to use new registration plates manufactured from reflective material. Additionally the number plate at the front of the vehicle has to be white and the rear has to be yellow. The characters have to be black in colour and the font should be the mandatory typeface.
Football club badges, car logos and the like are not allowed to feature on registration number plates, the Euro symbol and GB national identifier can be included on the number plates as can the regional alternatives for Scotland, England "&" Wales provided they meet the EC Council regulation 2411/98. This Regulation states the size and material the Euro symbol should be made from when used as part of the registration number plates.