Trailer & Caravan Number Plates

Any trailer, caravan or horsebox on the road must show the registration number of the vehicle towing it, on a rear plate that meets the same standard as the plate on your car. We make those plates to order in County Durham, in printed, 3D gel or 4D, as a standard oblong or an 11 x 8 inch square, and they are road legal to BS AU 145e. Type your reg into the plate builder, pick the shape that fits your trailer and we will make it, usually the same day.

Which plate does a trailer need?

A trailer shows the towing vehicle's registration, not a number of its own. When you tow, the rear of the trailer hides the car's rear plate, so the law requires a plate on the trailer carrying the same registration. It must be a yellow rear plate with black characters, the standard font and spacing, and the maker's details and British Standard mark printed on it. In short: the same plate you would put on the back of the car, fitted to the trailer.

Oblong or square?

Most trailers and caravans take the standard oblong rear plate, 520 x 111 mm. If the plate recess on your caravan, horsebox or trailer is square, or a long plate would overhang the lamp panel, choose the 11 x 8 inch square plate instead. Both are legal on a trailer as long as the characters stay the standard size. Measure the space before you order, and if you are not sure, send us a photo of the recess and we will tell you which fits.

Caravans, horseboxes and work trailers

The rule is the same whatever you tow: caravan, horse trailer, car transporter, plant trailer or a small box trailer. One plate on the rear showing the registration of the car, van or 4x4 doing the towing. If you tow the same caravan with two different vehicles, you need a plate for each registration, and many owners keep both in the caravan and swap them over. Printed plates are the sensible choice for a trailer that lives outside; 3D gel and 4D look the part on a caravan that matches the car.

Taking a trailer abroad: trailer registration plates

This is a separate thing. If you tow a commercial trailer over 750 kg, or any trailer over 3,500 kg, to or through most of Europe, the trailer itself must be registered with the DVLA and carry its own trailer registration number on a plate at the rear, alongside the towing vehicle's plate. We make the UK trailer registration plate too, from £19.99, and our explainer covers who needs to register and how.

What you need to order

Because the plate carries your car's registration, we need the same documents as for any number plate: proof of your identity and proof that you are entitled to that registration, such as the V5C for the towing vehicle. The full list is on our valid documents page. Fitting is the same as a car plate: sticky pads, screws or a plate holder, all available as accessories.

Order online or collect in Durham

Build the plate online and we post it tracked, free on orders of £38.99 or more, or choose same-day collection from our workshop in Durham. Local and in a hurry? We can fit it while you wait, Monday to Saturday.