Retro number
plates.
The classic pressed-plate look — raised gloss-black characters on standard white front and yellow rear reflective bases. £60 a pair, pressed in-house and fully road legal.
Made to BS AU 145e, so they're legal on any vehicle — not just classics.
How much are retro pressed number plates and are they road legal?
Retro number plates are £60 a pair from Dyno Details, rated 5.0★ from 752 reviews, pressed in-house in 1–2 working days and posted signed-for UK-wide. They use the classic pressed look — raised gloss-black characters on standard white front and yellow rear reflective bases — and because they're made to BS AU 145e they are road legal on any vehicle.
- Retro pressed (pair): £60
- Standard white front, yellow rear reflective bases
- Raised gloss-black pressed characters
- BS AU 145e marked — road legal on any vehicle
- Pressed in-house in 1–2 working days
- Royal Mail signed-for, UK-wide
Real plates, real photos.
What are retro pressed number plates?
Retro plates recreate the old pressed-metal look on a modern, fully compliant plate. The characters are physically raised and finished in gloss black, so light catches the edges the way it did on original pressed plates, and you can feel the relief with your fingertips.
The important part: they sit on standard reflective bases — white at the front, yellow at the rear — exactly like any current UK plate. That's what keeps them road legal rather than limiting them to display use.
- Raised gloss-black characters
- White front, yellow rear reflective base
- Pressed in-house, not printed vinyl
- BS AU 145e marked with our supplier details
Are retro number plates road legal?
Yes. Every retro set we press is made to BS AU 145e — the standard mandatory for plates made since September 2021 — with the required font, character height and spacing, correct colour and reflectivity, and our supplier details and the BS AU 145e marking on the plate. Nothing about the plate misrepresents the registration.
Because they use the standard white and yellow reflective bases, there is no restriction to particular vehicles: they are legal on any road vehicle, new or old. Road-legal plates have to come from a DVLA Registered Number Plate Supplier, so we're required to see your ID and proof of entitlement to the registration before pressing them.
How do retro plates compare with 3D and 4D?
All three give you raised characters, but they get there differently. Retro plates are pressed, so the relief is formed in the plate itself with a gloss-black finish. 3D gel is a domed resin poured over printed characters. 4D uses laser-cut acrylic characters bonded on top.
Retro is the choice if you want a period, understated look rather than the sharp modern edges of 4D.
- Retro (£60) — pressed, raised gloss-black characters
- 3D gel (£35) — domed resin, glossy and rounded
- 4D (£40) — laser-cut acrylic, flat tops, sharp edges
- 4D gel (£45) — laser-cut characters with a gel dome
How long do they take and how do I order?
Retro sets are pressed in-house in 1–2 working days, then posted signed-for by Royal Mail anywhere in the UK, or collected free from our Dagenham workshop. The whole order runs online: pick retro and your size, type the registration exactly as it appears on your V5C, upload your documents and pay in full — there's no deposit on plates.
How much do plates cost?
All prices per pair, paid in full at order — there is no deposit on plates. Royal Mail signed-for postage is added at checkout and we deliver anywhere in the UK.
Road-legal or show plate?
Number plates made since September 2021 must comply with BS AU 145e. 3D and 4D raised characters can be road-legal provided the plate meets that standard — the mandated font and character height, correct spacing, the right colour and reflectivity, the supplier details and BS AU 145e marking, and nothing that misrepresents the registration.
Novelty and show plates that don't meet the standard are for off-road display use only. They must not be fitted to a vehicle used on the road. Tick the show-plate option at checkout if that's what you want and we'll skip the document checks.
What documents do you need?
Road-legal plates must be supplied by a DVLA Registered Number Plate Supplier, and the supplier has to see proof of your identity and proof of your entitlement to the registration mark before making the plates. You upload both as part of the order:
- Proof of identity — driving licence, or a passport with a recent utility/council tax bill
- Proof of entitlement — V5C log book, new keeper slip, V750/V778 retention certificate, or a lease/hire agreement
How does UK delivery work?
Plates are made in 1–2 working days and posted by Royal Mail signed-for, anywhere in the UK — you get a tracking number by text when they leave us. Everything is ordered online, so you don't need to be anywhere near our Dagenham workshop.
Plates are packed in rigid protective packaging with the fixing kit included. If you'd rather collect, that's still an option — but posting is the default for national orders.
Common questions.
How much are retro number plates?
£60 a pair, pressed in-house. Standard plates are £30, 3D gel £35, 4D £40 and 4D gel £45. Short, square and import sizes are £25 and a single replacement plate is £15. All prices are paid in full at order, with Royal Mail signed-for postage added at checkout.
Are retro number plates legal on any car?
Yes. Our retro plates use the standard white front and yellow rear reflective bases and are made to BS AU 145e, so they're road legal on any vehicle used on UK roads — there's no restriction to classic or older cars.
Are these black-and-silver plates?
No. These are pressed plates with raised gloss-black characters on the standard white and yellow reflective bases. That's what makes them road legal on any vehicle.
Will retro plates pass an MOT?
A plate made to BS AU 145e with correct font, spacing and reflectivity, clearly legible and undamaged, is fine at MOT. Our retro sets are made to that standard and carry the BS AU 145e marking.
What documents do I need?
Because these are road-legal plates we need proof of your identity (driving licence, or passport plus a recent utility or council tax bill) and proof of your entitlement to the registration (V5C, new keeper slip, V750/V778 retention certificate or a lease agreement). Both are uploaded during the order.
How do I clean pressed retro plates?
Warm soapy water and a soft cloth or wash mitt. Avoid solvent-based cleaners and abrasive pads, don't pressure-wash the face from close range, and don't scrape ice off the raised characters.
Order your retro plates.
Pick your style and size, upload your documents and pay securely. Made in 1–2 working days and posted signed-for anywhere in the UK.
Start your order