Removing and Replacing Your Motorcycle Number Plate

18.04.2023

For many motorists, removing your motorcycle number plates is a tedious task. But it’s an essential one to keep your motorcycle in top condition. You might've invested in a private place and you need to replace your old one. Whatever the reason, you need to make sure that your motorcycle number plate is removed properly – not only to maintain your motorcycle, but to remain compliant with the DVLA motorcycle number plate laws.

In this blog, you'll learn how to replace your motorcycle number plate. As a result, you’ll be able to correctly and accurately replace your motorcycle number plate every time.

Why would someone want to remove their motorcycle number plate?

Someone may want to replace their number plate if they’ve purchased a private number plate that looks sleeker and cleaner than the old one. This is true both for motorcycles and cars. Sometimes, it can be the case that a modification has been made to the vehicle and, therefore, it has to be registered somewhere else. You would also need to replace your number plate if you moved from a petrol/diesel car to an electric one, and require a new green number plate instead.

How To Remove And Replace Your Motorcycle Number Plate

Now you know what the rules and regulations are regarding your motorcycle number plate, you may want to replace your old one. Here are some simple steps on how to correctly remove your old number plate and replace it.

1. Remove the old plate

Before removing your motorcycle number plate, identify how the plate has been secured to the vehicle. There are many ways to secure the number plate to the back of the vehicle, such as sticky pads and screws. But no matter how the number plate is secured to the vehicle, we recommend you use the same method to replace the plate.

If you have screws, simply measure out where the screws were on your old number plate. Then, do the same with the new private plate. This way, you don’t have to measure out exactly where the screws should be. This is the same with sticky pads as well.

Now you know how the number plate is secured, it’s time to remove the old plate. For screws, take off the plastic caps and keep unscrewing the plate on both sides until the plate is loose. Carefully remove the plate and any extra sticky pads until the plate is fully removed.

2. Measure The Area You Want Your Motorcycle Number Plate

Place your old number plate over your new one and mark out the area for the screws. Be careful not to obscure the characters! This should give you an accurate marker for both the screws and the sticky pads.

Then, place the screws and sticky pads onto the marked areas.

3. Partially Screw The Number Plate In Place

Now you’ve measured out where to put your motorcycle number plate fixings, you can start to secure your number plate to your bike.

Place the number plate onto the rear of the motorcycle and start to turn the screws. Keep screwing until the plate is partially secured making sure that the number plate is in line. This will give you some time to adjust the plate if it doesn't line up correctly.

4. Use Sticky Pads To Secure The Plate

Once you’ve aligned the plate properly and partially attached it to the back of the motorcycle, use the sticky pads to secure the plate in the correct place. Press down firmly on the plate until it’s attached to the bike. Now your motorcycle number plate is ready to be fully screwed in place.

5. Tighten Screws And Adjust

The final step is to fully tighten and secure your number plate to your motorcycle. Start to tighten the screws until the number plate is secure. Don’t over-screw your plates, as this could result in unthreading the screws, making it incredibly difficult to remove. Once the plate is tightly in place, put the plastic screw caps over the screw. Now your number plate should be secured tightly onto the back of your motorbike.

Can you transfer your number plate from a car to a motorcycle?

Yes, you can transfer your car reg plate to a motorcycle. However, you must consider the rules and regulations for motorcycle number plates, as you can only transfer your car reg plate if it’s displayed across two lines. By law, motorcycle number plates can not be displayed on a single line. So if you have a car plate, you won't be able to transfer this over to your motorcycle.

If you have a car number plate that you want to transfer to your motorcycle but you don't have the correct size, it's easy to get one which will fit and is legal. By submitting changes to the DVLA via a V778 form, you can get a new plate that is fitted for your vehicle, no matter if you have a car or a motorbike.

How Can I Get a Personal Motorcycle Number Plate?

There are many different styles and sizes of number plate combinations available at Absolute Reg. When you purchase a number plate from us, we take care of all the sizing for you, including motorcycle number plates! As a result of our price guarantee, if you find the same plate for a lower price somewhere else, we’ll match that price.

Use our search function to find your dream plate, or browse the different styles below: