Legislation and number plate lighting

Number plates come in various types, colours and sizes, but always feature a unique code and security features. In this blog, we take a closer look at European legislation concerning number plates. We also examine the important role that lighting plays in meeting European standards for the visibility and legibility of number plates.

European legislation for number plates

What requirements must a European number plate meet? This question is answered by the regulations drawn up by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

EU Regulation 2018/858 governs the type-approval of vehicles and their components within the EU. It sets out the requirements for the type approval of vehicles and components, including number plates, to ensure they meet safety and environmental standards before being allowed on the road.

EU Directive 2007/46/EC deals with the type approval of motor vehicles and their trailers. It sets out the procedures manufacturers must follow to obtain approval for their vehicles, including the requirements for number plates as part of vehicle identification and safety.

EU Regulation 661/2009 relates to the safety of vehicle components. It sets out requirements for the approval of various parts and ensures that they meet the established standards for safety, visibility and legibility on the road. The regulation requires number plates to comply with safety standards. This also (indirectly) affects the number plate and its holder. The specific requirements relating to lighting are covered in more detail in UNECE Regulation 48.

UNECE Regulation 48 sets out detailed requirements for lighting and signalling on vehicles. This is the key standard for number plate lighting. The regulation requires vehicles to be fitted with lighting that ensures the number plate is clearly visible, even in poor visibility or at night. The specific requirements for number plate lighting set out in UNECE Regulation 48 are as follows:

• Minimum lighting requirements: The number plate must be sufficiently illuminated to ensure it is legible at night or in poor visibility conditions.
  
• Lighting type: Lighting must be white or yellow and illuminate the number plate evenly.
  
• Position of lighting: You must position the lighting so that it illuminates the number plate without interfering with other parts of the vehicle.
  
• Luminescence requirements: The lighting must meet specific brightness standards. This is because the number plate must be visible within a certain range.
  

Is licence plate light mandatory?

Yes, licence plate light is compulsory for all vehicles on public roads. This therefore applies to passenger cars, trailers, motorbikes, commercial vehicles, trucks and even microcars. However, there are a few exceptions to the rule.

For example, this requirement does not apply to vehicles without a number plate, such as bicycles with a trailer. These often use a yellow reflective plate instead of a number plate.

Even lightweight trailers weighing less than 750kg are not required to have separate licence plate lights if they are fitted with a white follow-plate (bearing the same number plate as the towing vehicle). However, the towing vehicle must have a clearly visible number plate. Finally, old agricultural vehicles without a number plate (manufactured before 2021) may be exempt.

Regulations from Europe

All vehicles in the EU must comply with the ECE R4 standard for licence plate lights. The differences lie mainly in the control and enforcement of the rules. Faulty lighting can lead to immediate rejection and/or traffic fines. Consult local regulations if in doubt.

Trailer

Licence plate light is also compulsory on trailers. However, this is not the only type of lighting you will find on a trailer. Depending on the type of trailer and the regulations, it must also be fitted with other lighting to be permitted on public roads.

Trucks

Licence plate light is an essential part of the mandatory lighting requirements for trucks and trailers. As a supplier of truck lighting, TRALERT® strictly adheres to these standards. The lighting regulations vary by vehicle category, which makes sense given the wide range of trucks and trailers. This covers aspects such as the positioning of the lights, the specific requirements and the number of light points that must be fitted. Read more about the European regulations on truck and trailer lighting in this blog.

Tractors and work vehicles

Although these vehicles are not permitted to travel on all public roads, such as motorways and dual carriageways, they are required to have the correct lighting when using public roads. Specific rules naturally apply in this regard. Furthermore, since 2021, agricultural vehicles have also been subject to a number plate requirement. This means that they must not only be fitted with a number plate, but also with number plate lighting, so that the number plate is clearly visible in the dark.

How bright can licence plate lights be?

The use of LED licence plate lights is permitted provided they comply with legal requirements and bear a valid ECE mark. The lighting must be bright enough to make the number plate clearly legible in the dark from a distance of at least 20 metres. You must also ensure that the lighting illuminates the number plate evenly, and that no parts are illegible due to shadows.

What colour license plate lighting?

Number plate lighting must be white. Other colours are not permitted. If you do have this, it will result in your vehicle failing the MOT truck or, in the worst case, a fine.

The number plate holder

Although there is no European legislation that explicitly sets out requirements for number plate holders, the holder must in any case comply with the general requirements for vehicle safety and visibility, as described above. At national level, there may well be additional requirements for number plate holders. For further information, please consult the local authorities.

Number plate accessories at TRALERT®

At TRALERT®, we offer a range of solutions that comply with European legislation. Whether you’re looking for the right lighting for your number plate or a number plate holder with integrated lighting, our products are certified and comply with current regulations. Do take a look at our featured number plate accessories.

Mounting licence plate lights

Licence plate lights must be fitted with care to comply with legislation. It is also important to choose high-quality, certified products that comply with European standards. Ensure that the lighting is correctly positioned to illuminate the number plate evenly. In doing so, you must not obstruct any other parts of the vehicle. After installation, check that the lighting meets the brightness and visibility requirements. The number plate must remain clearly legible, both during the day and at night.

Disclaimer:

At TRALERT®, we do our best to keep the information in this article as accurate and up-to-date as possible, including the regulations surrounding vehicle lighting. However, legislation can change regularly, and although we make every effort to implement these changes in a timely manner, it is possible that certain updates or adjustments have not yet been incorporated into this article. We therefore always advise our readers to check the current legislation with their local government or regulatory bodies, especially when it comes to exceptions or specific national regulations. TRALERT® is not liable for any damages or fines resulting from outdated or incomplete information in this article.

When in doubt, always contact the competent authority. This way you can be sure that your vehicle meets all legal requirements.