If you drive or are responsible for any vehicles which meet the following criteria, then you must ensure that both information plates and manufacturer's plates are displayed:
- goods vehicles (vehicles constructed or adapted for the conveyance of goods or burden of any description)
- trailers (vehicles drawn by another vehicle)
- manufactured on or after 1 January 1973
- maximum authorised mass exceeding 3,500kg
The plates must be displayed in a visible position on the nearside of the vehicle. They must be displayed from the date of the vehicle's registration.
It is essential that the plates meet the following specifications.
Information plate
Information plates are obtainable from most reputable sign writers.
They must be coloured white and must be at least 150mm by 150mm in size.
Plates must display the following wording, along with the applicable vehicle specifications:
- year of manufacture
- unladen weight
- maximum gross weight
- train weight
- overall width
- overall length
Weights should be shown in kilograms. Dimensions should be shown in metres. Overall width must include any wheel studs which protrude past the line of the body.
The text must be:
- 15mm high or more
- coloured black
Manufacturer's plate
The manufacturer's plate (or similar) should contain the following information:
- manufacturer's name
- serial / chassis number
- maximum axle weight for each axle
- maximum gross weight
- maximum train weight
The weights shown on the plate will be the maximum weight at which the vehicle is considered fit for use as approved by the manufacturer.
Weights should be shown in kilograms.
The text on the plate must be more than 6mm in height.