Motorcycle license plate: how to personalize it?

A license plate is a mandatory element on a motorcycle. It allows you to identify each motorcycle and associate it with the owner. It may happen that some people want to personalize their plate due to an aesthetic issue. License plate personalization is not an operation to be performed on your own. The latter must comply with the compliance requirements established by law, and any plate, even personalized, must be approved.

What reasons might lead to personalizing your license plate? What does the law say about motorcycle license plate homologation standards? How can I personalize my motorcycle license plate? What are the penalties for an unapproved personal plate? Find in this guide all information about the possibilities of customizing the motorcycle license plate : material of manufacture, dimensions, regional logo or even short and discreet text under the registration number.

Why customize a motorcycle license plate?

In some European countries, there are increasing opportunities to personalize motorcycle license plates by adding personal identifiers. Bikers who especially enjoy changing the power and appearance of their motorcycle are very fond of especially interested in these customization options... Even if France seems to be delaying the binding standards in force, the situation is beginning to change gradually.

It is possible to personalize your dish. The problem is that there are limits that cannot be crossed under the threat of a fine. If you find that the license plates in your area are too standardized, you you can decide to add your personal contact... But that shouldn't happen with fantasy, because there are some precautions that can't be overstepped.

The personalization of his plate is only for be different from the plates of others... Hence, it is a matter of appearance and design. However, for example, it will not be possible to put black license plates on a black motorcycle.

Motorcycle plate homologation standards: what the law says

With regard to license plates, the law is strict. All motorized vehicles must have a unique license plate. Which includes both cars and motorcycles, scooters and other vehicles.

La motorcycle plate must meet well-defined criteria... It must be performed by a professional and readable under all circumstances. Legibility is mainly important so that the police and gendarmes can identify you in the event of a traffic check, offense or accident.

The dimensions and support of the slab must be in accordance with the required standards. It must be located at the rear of the motorcycle and not removable. Fortunately, two-wheeled vehicles do not have a number plate on the front. Indeed, it will be difficult to install the plate on the front of a motorcycle or scooter.

Here are the basic standards that must be met in order to have an approved motorcycle license plate:

• Manufacturing must be made of plexiglass or aluminum.
• The dimensions of the plate should be 21 cm x 13 cm.
• The number on the plate must match the number on the motorcycle registration card. It can be SIV and FNI format.
• The font of letters, size and spacing must be observed.
• The European symbol should appear there, as well as the letter F for France (in the left lane).
• Finally, it is also necessary to enter the department number followed by the logo (in the right lane).

Of course, pay attention to the license plate holder in case you replace the original one. Many bikers use a short cymbal holder to give them a sporty look. Then they take the opportunity to change the angle of inclination of the plate, making it more difficult to read... Which can lead to serious fines.

Customizing your motorcycle nameplate: what's legal and what's illegal

To personalize your plate, you need to be careful not to break the law. Therefore, it will be necessary to know what is legal and what is not. Many bikers would like to take personalization very far by changing the background color of the plate, changing the font, or adding stickers, stickers and other logos. However, the list of acceptable modifications is very small. We you explain for each setting whether it is legal or illegal.

Plate materials

The plate support must be made of a well-defined material. It should be either plexiglass or aluminum. The use of any other materials is prohibited and authorized.

License plate dimensions

Since July 1, 2017, the size of the motorcycle license plate has been approved and standardized for everyone. Be it mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles and quads, they are all affected. The license plate must have the following dimensions: 210mm X 130mm i.e. 21 cm wide and 13 cm high.

Therefore, it is forbidden to make larger or smaller plates. If this recommendation is not followed, the author risks receiving a type 4 ticket. He will be fined 135 euros and the device will be blocked.

License plate color

East must have white plates for all motorcycles registered from April 1, 2009. Two-wheeled vehicles registered before this date are not affected.

It is not uncommon to see motorcycles passing by with black signs. In fact, black is only for vintage motorcycles that are over thirty years old. To do this, they must have a gray card and must be well preserved.

East it is forbidden to use a different color for the purpose of personalizing the license plate... Colors other than white and black are not approved for this use.

Free choice of department number

Now possible select the desired territorial identification... The department number, which must be indicated on the plate, is no longer necessarily tied to where you live or where your motorcycle was purchased.

When you move and change department, you no longer need to change the department number already written on the plate. Therefore, you can leave your old department at ease if you are attached to it.

Replacing the department number with a logo

The department number and department logo should appear in the section designated for this purpose. This is the right side stripe on the plate with a red background. He It is strictly forbidden to replace this number with any logo. even if this replacement is made for decorative purposes. The only logo that appears on the plate is the department logo.

Adding text at the bottom of the plate

The last change you can make to your license plate is to add text. Indeed you you can add a small text of your choice at the bottom of the plate... This text should be separated by a line. It should also be located outside of the usable part and be invisible.

Sanctions in the event of a personal and unapproved motorcycle number

If you would like to add personal items to your license plate, please make sure it is allowed and approved. An unapproved plate is liable to a fine. A breach of this obligation is considered a 4th degree fine.

The biker who whimsically personalizes his license plate can pay a fine of up to 750 euros... The sanctions imposed on a motorcyclist who does not comply with the provisions of the law are examined by the competent authorities on an individual basis.

In addition to the fine, other penalties may be imposed on the rider, depending on the degree of the offense. This can lead to up to jail time, motorcycle confiscation, or less points on a license.