Shorter Number Plates - Legal? and where from?

Are shortened plates legal?

I.E. I have a 5 character plate, which could be quite shorter than it is and still have the correct font and spacing.

If so any ideas where I might get one from?

Just get it made up with the correct font and spacing,with the manufacturers name underneath and cut to size
e.g All along the bottom of the plate so the makers name can be included when you trim up
I am sure if you asked any bike or car accessories shop they would do it

[G]

I got mine done by Rory's Plates on Ebay.

£11 next day delivery and they are good, I have a 6 character plate that fits legally on 6.5" x 6.5". Looked tiny next to some of the legal ones at the weekend but its 100% legal.

I was of the understanding that the actual plate it self must be of certain dimensions. Much the same as it is with the 'L' plate where any modification to the standard size is an offence is this not the case then?

[G]

Originally Posted by leedsmatt7

I was of the understanding that the actual plate it self must be of certain dimensions. Much the same as it is with the 'L' plate where any modification to the standard size is an offence is this not the case then?

Nope, requirements are on the DVLA website. Font size and spacings are the only requirments, not the general size.

If you had the plate A1 then you could have a tiny plate.

[punyXpress]

If you had the plate A1 then you could have a tiny plate.[/QUOTE]

And you could EASILY afford the fines!

DVLA Rules for Motorcycle and Tricycle number plates
All motorcycles and tricycles must display a number plate at the rear of the vehicle. Motorcycles and tricycles registered before 1st September 2001 may display a number plate at the front of the vehicle but are not required to.
If you have a two or three wheeled motorcycle or tricycle that has a body type of a four-wheeled vehicle, you MUST display a number plate at the front and back of the vehicle.
Motorcycles registered on or after 1st September 2001 must display a two-line number plate. Motorcycles registered before 1st September 2001 may display a three-line number plate.
One-line number plates are illegal, regardless of the date of registration.
Here are the character sizes:

Character Height
64 mm
Character Width (except the figure 1 or letter I)
44 mm
Character stroke
10 mm
Space between characters
10 mm
Space between groups
30 mm
Top, bottom, and side margins (minimum)
11 mm
Space between vertical lines
13 mm

[ophic]

Originally Posted by bris

Motorcycles registered on or after 1st September 2001 must display a two-line number plate.

So if you did have A1 it would have to be like:

A
1

?

so even if it was car size it would be illegal?

Fair enough, the wife won't let me have my plate back in any case so I suppose that is that. It would've been nice to know just in case though.