[Automotive Knowledge Base] Should I renew my new car's license plate? What should I look for to comply with government regulations? Long license plates, short license plates, raised letters, and fonts - what do you know?

In Hong Kong, the design and installation of car license plates must comply with the laws and regulations of the Transport Department to ensure that vehicles can be legally driven on the road and facilitate the identification of vehicles by law enforcement officers. Different types of license plates, including normal long license plates, short license plates and embossed license plates, although they vary in form, must comply with relevant regulations. The following details how to comply with Hong Kong laws from the perspective of these three types of license plates.

1. Normal long license plate

Normal long license plates are the most common license plate type in Hong Kong and are applicable to most private cars, trucks and public transport. According to the Hong Kong Transport Department, normal long license plates must meet the following conditions:

• Size requirements <br>The standard size of a normal long license plate is 520 mm long and 111 mm high, which is suitable for the installation position of the license plate of most vehicles. There are strict regulations on the height, width and spacing of letters and numbers to ensure that the license plate content can still be clearly identified at a long distance or in low light conditions.

• Font and Color <br>The letters and numbers on the license plate must use a standard font, usually black, and the letters and numbers must be clear and readable. The background of the license plate must use reflective material, with black letters on a white background for the front license plate and black letters on a yellow background for the rear license plate. This design can improve recognition during day and night driving.

• Installation and Position <br>The license plate must be installed in the designated position of the vehicle, usually the center of the front and rear of the vehicle, and must be kept horizontal. The license plate must be installed firmly and reliably without shaking or falling off, otherwise it may affect identification or lead to illegality.

• Cleanliness and Integrity <br>Number plates must be kept clean, especially in muddy weather or after off-road driving, and the owner must ensure that the letters and numbers on the plate are clearly visible. Any damage, obstruction or decoration of the plate (such as stickers or special frames) is not in compliance with the law and may result in a fine or rectification requirement.

• Consequences of Violation <br>If the license plate does not comply with the above regulations, the owner may be fined or even required to re-inspect the vehicle. If the police or the Transport Department finds that the license plate is blurred or improperly installed during inspection, points may be deducted or the owner may be issued a ticket.

2. Short license plate

Short license plates are designed for some special models, mainly for imported sports cars, antique cars or vehicles with narrow license plate installation space. When using short license plates, special attention should be paid to the following regulations:

• Size requirements <br>The length of the short license plate is usually between 280 mm and 320 mm, and the height is maintained at 111 mm. These dimensions are shorter than the normal long license plate, but the proportions of the letters and numbers must still meet the standards and the recognition cannot be weakened due to the reduction in size.

• Application Procedure <br>Car owners need to apply to the Transport Department for short license plates and provide relevant supporting documents, such as photos of the vehicle, showing that normal long license plates cannot be installed. The Transport Department will review the application to ensure that the car owner's needs are reasonable and comply with the law.

• Font and color <br>The font and color regulations for short license plates are the same as those for normal long license plates. Reflective material must be used to make the background, and the font color must maintain clear contrast to ensure that the license plate can be identified under different lighting conditions.

• Installation and Legality <br>The short license plate must be installed in the designated position of the vehicle and firmly fixed. The license plate cannot be offset or the font clarity cannot be affected due to the size reduction. If the short license plate is used without permission, the owner may face legal liability.

• Applicable Models <br>Short license plates are mostly used for sports cars or imported vehicles, which are usually designed to have a narrow license plate installation position. Using a short license plate can prevent the license plate from protruding from the body appearance or being inconsistent with the vehicle design.

3. Embossed license plate

Embossed license plates refer to license plates with letters and numbers that are made in a three-dimensional manner, with the letters protruding from the surface of the license plate, usually through die-stamping or other processes. This type of license plate also has clear regulations in Hong Kong, and the following points should be noted:

• Height and proportion of embossed characters <br>The height of the embossed characters should be moderate, usually within the reasonable range of the thickness of the license plate material, to avoid the characters being too high to affect the appearance of the vehicle or cause unstable installation. The height and width proportion of the characters must comply with the standards of the Hong Kong Transport Department to ensure that the characters are standardized and clear.

• Materials and Reflective Effects <br>The background of the embossed license plate still needs to use reflective material, which is a basic requirement for Hong Kong license plates. The font color needs to form a clear contrast with the background, and the material of the embossed part needs to be durable and able to withstand the wear and tear of daily use and weather effects.

• Legality and Application <br>Car owners need to ensure that the embossed license plates are produced by manufacturers approved by the Transport Department. If the license plates are not made in accordance with the standards, such as the fonts are too fancy or unclear, it may be considered illegal and the car owner will need to re-make the license plates to meet the requirements.

• Installation and Stability <br>The embossed license plate must be firmly installed in the designated position of the vehicle and cannot be loose or fall off. The embossed part should not affect the operation of other parts of the vehicle, such as blocking lights or affecting airflow.

Other general considerations

Regardless of whether it is a normal long license plate, a short license plate or a raised license plate, all license plates must comply with the following general regulations:

• Clearly legible <br>License plates must be clearly legible both during the day and at night. Any blurring, defacing or obstructing of license plates is illegal.

• No modification or decoration <br>No modification of the license plate in any form, such as adding decorative frames, lights or stickers, may be made. These actions may affect the recognition of the license plate and are considered a violation of Hong Kong law.

• Regular inspection and maintenance <br>Car owners should regularly check whether the license plate is damaged, loose or blurred to ensure that the license plate is in good condition. If the license plate is damaged or lost, you need to apply to the Transport Department for a replacement as soon as possible.

• Legal Liability <br>According to the Hong Kong Road Traffic Ordinance, vehicles that fail to install license plates that comply with regulations may face fines or other legal liabilities. Car owners are required to ensure that the vehicle's license plates are legal and meet the standards.

In summary, whether it is a normal long license plate, a short license plate or a convex license plate, the car owner must comply with the relevant regulations of the Hong Kong Transport Department, from size, font, color to installation method, all must comply with legal requirements. Car owners should keep the license plate clean and intact, and check the license plate regularly to ensure legal and safe driving.