Motorcycle Test Tips

  • Learn to Ride
  • Theory Test
  • Motorcycle Test Tutorials
  • Motorcycle Test Tips
  • Riding & Maintenance Tips
Home Learn to Ride a Motorcycle Motorcycle L Plate Law Explained

Motorcycle L Plate Law Explained

Putting L plates on a moped or motorcycle does nothing to improve the looks of your machine. In fact, many learner riders often try to cut L plates down in size or attempt to hide them using various creative techniques.

Until you pass the motorcycle or moped test, the law requires that you must display an L plate on the front and back of your vehicle. That is unless your passed your car test beforeĀ 1 February 2001, in which case you can ride a moped up to 50 cc without L plates.


Motorcycle L Plate Size

Motorcycle and moped L plate law and size

Motorcycle / Moped regulation L plate size

Full regulation size L plates must be displayed on the front and rear or your motorcycle or moped. The L plate diagram illustrates the correct size that must be displayed.

Cutting L Plates

Some learner riders cut L plates in order to reduce the total size of the plate. This is illegal and may result in a fine and up to 6 penalty points.

You are legally permitted to trim the corners of your L plates, but reducing the overall size of the L plate from its 178 mm (7 inch) square would be an offence.

Displaying L Plates

As a learner rider, you have little road experience and as such, L plates are used to inform other road users. L plates must be fixed in an upright position to that they are clearly visible from the front and back. For an example of where you should place L plates, see:

  • Where to put L plates on a motorcycle / moped


Sticking L Plates to Mudguards

Sticking L plates to mudguards may be a quick and easy solution, but if the L plate is not in an upright 90 degree angle to the road, it’s likely an offence. How hard police officers come down on this varies, but it may result in penalty points and a fine.


Motorcycle Test Tips


Learn to Ride
  • Moped, Scooter or Motorcycle?
  • Motorcycle L Plate Law Explained
  • Learning to Ride Motorcycle Laws
  • Motorcycle Licenses Explained
  • Motorcycle Helmets and Visors Law
  • Motorcycle Clothing Guide
  • Motorcycle Gloves and Boots
  • Motorcycle Controls Explained
  • Automatic or Manual Motorcycle?
  • Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) Explained
  • CBT Element A Explained
  • CBT Element B Explained
  • CBT Element C Explained
  • CBT Element D Explained
  • CBT Element E Explained
  • Can You Fail CBT?
  • Next Steps After CBT
  • New and Young Rider Tips
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
2019 © Motorcycle Test Tips
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT