So, you’ve finally found the perfect personalised number plate. The paperwork is done, the DVLA transfer is complete, and your physical acrylic plates have arrived. Now comes the crucial part: fitting them.

If you have never fitted a registration plate before, you might be worried about alignment, drilling, or ensuring they stay secure at high speeds. At The Private Plate Company, we want your vehicle to look its best. Follow these three simple tips to ensure a professional, long-lasting finish.

1. Prepare the Surface: Cleanliness is Key

Before you even pick up a screwdriver, ensure the mounting area on your vehicle is spotless. Road grime, salt, and grease can build up behind your old plates. If you are using adhesive pads, any dirt will prevent a secure bond, leading to your plate potentially falling off.

We recommend a deep clean with a degreasing agent. This ensures your vehicle looks impeccable and your new plates stay exactly where they belong.

2. The “Old Plate” Template Trick

One of the biggest fears for car owners is drilling holes in their brand-new acrylic plates. If the holes are misaligned, the plate will sit crooked. The easiest way to avoid this is to use your existing plates as a guide.

         
• Place your old plate directly on top of the new one.
         
• Ensure they are perfectly aligned.
         
• Using a marker pen, dot the new plate through the existing holes.
         
• Drill from the back to the front to avoid cracking the acrylic.
       

This ensures the holes match your car’s pre-drilled mounting points perfectly. If you are upgrading a high-value asset, such as a classic cherished registration, this step is vital for a factory-standard look.

3. Use Colour-Coded Screw Caps

Nothing ruins the aesthetic of a clean private number plate like a bright silver screw head sitting in the middle of a black letter. To achieve a seamless look, use plastic screw caps.

Match the cap to the area of the plate it sits on:

         
• Yellow Caps: For the rear plate background.
         
• White Caps: For the front plate background.
         
• Black Caps: If the screw passes through a digit.
       

Not only do these caps make the screws “disappear” from a distance, but they also protect the hardware from moisture, preventing unsightly rust streaks over time.

Ready for Your Next Upgrade?

Now that you know how to fit them, why not find your next investment? Whether you want to use our custom choose your own private plate tool or simply want to browse our database of over 70 million registrations, we are here to help.

Call us today on 01639 888833 or check out our guide on what a DVLA V317 transfer form is for more advice on the vehicle assignment process.