Aplates

Aplates, manufacturer of 3D and 4D number plates in Westbury

Aplates is a DVLA-registered manufacturer and supplier of vehicle number plates. The company produces physical plates — it does not sell registration numbers — and operates from Westbury, in the county of Wiltshire (United Kingdom).

According to its own presentation, the company was founded in 2019 and has since grown to have two facilities in Westbury: a manufacturing workshop and an assembly unit. The firm states it has served over 90,000 customers and describes itself as the first British supplier of 3D and 4D number plates.

Plate catalogue: 4D, 3D gel and hex

The catalogue is organised into several product families. 4D number plates use laser-cut acrylic characters, available in 3 mm and 5 mm thicknesses. The 4D gel versions combine these acrylic characters with a gel finish, also in 3 mm and 5 mm. 3D gel plates use resin characters with a rounded relief and shallower depth. These are joined by hex number plates and standard printed plates.

The company distinguishes between road legal plates and show plates. The latter include 4D Krystal and 4D Neon Gel. It also offers specific plates for electric vehicles and custom plates.

Available formats and sizes

The manufacturer covers various number plate formats, including short plates, 4×4 square plates, Range Rover plates and motorcycle plates. The website allows filtering by size and has a gallery of examples.

Accessories and fitting kits

Alongside the plates, Aplates sells accessories such as plate holders, spring-loaded plate clamps and fixing kits. Every number plate order includes a fixing kit at no extra cost, according to the shop's information.

Legal compliance and British Standard

Road legal plates are manufactured to British Standard BS AU 145e. The company uses the Charles Wright font, the statutory character spacing and adds to each plate its supplier name, postcode and the standard mark, requirements which, it states, allow the plate to pass an MOT. The company reminds customers that UK law requires proof of identity and proof of entitlement to the registration when ordering number plates: after ordering, the customer must upload the V5C logbook, the new keeper slip or the lease agreement, together with a driving licence or passport.

Manufacturing and warranty

Production takes place in its own Westbury workshop using laser cutting. The plates are pressure wash safe and UV stable, according to the company, and come with a three-year warranty. Orders placed before 11:00 Monday to Friday are dispatched the same working day; most UK customers receive their order within two working days. Delivery is free on orders over £35.

Plate builder and buying process

The online shop includes a number plate builder that allows you to enter the vehicle registration and design the plate. The site also offers guides and help documents, as well as a blog with articles on the history of UK number plates, motorcycle regulations and the criteria that define a premium plate.

Company details

Aplates Limited is registered in England and Wales with company number 12040853 and VAT number 330 7324 33. The company is not affiliated with the DVLA, whose trademark is owned by the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency.

Locations and premises

Location 1: Unit 130a Engineers Road, West Wilts Trading Estate, Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 4JW

Location 2: Unit 2A, Brook Lane Industrial Estate, Westbury, BA13 4EP