
Article 1 
For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:

((1)) ‘vehicle type with regard to the space for mounting and the fixing of rear registration plates’ means vehicles which do not differ in such essential respects as:

— the dimensions of the space for mounting and fixing of the rear registration plate;
— the location of the space for mounting and fixing of the rear registration plate;
— the shape of the surface for mounting and fixing of the rear registration plate.
((2)) ‘virtually flat surface’ means a surface of solid material, which may also consist of patterned mesh or grille, with a radius of curvature of at least 5 000 mm.
((3)) ‘surface of patterned mesh’ means a surface consisting of an evenly spread pattern of shapes such as round, oval, diamond, rectangular or square holes spread evenly at intervals not exceeding 15 mm.
((4)) ‘surface of grille’ means a surface consisting of parallel bars which are spread evenly and have a mutual distance of not exceeding 15 mm.
((5)) ‘nominal surface’ means the theoretical geometrically perfect surface without taking into account surface irregularities such as protrusions or indentations.
((6)) ‘longitudinal median plane of the vehicle’ means the plane of symmetry of the vehicle or, if the vehicle is not symmetrical, the vertical longitudinal plane passing through the middle of the vehicle axles.
((7)) ‘inclination’ means the degree of the angular deviation in relation to a vertical plane;
Article 2 

1. The manufacturer or his representative shall submit to the type-approval authority the application for  GB type-approval  of a vehicle with regard to the space for mounting and the fixing of rear registration plates on motor vehicles and their trailers.
2. The application shall be drawn up in accordance with the model of the information document set out in Part 1 of Annex I.
3. If the relevant requirements set out in either—
(a) Annex II to this Regulation, or
(b) subject to paragraph 3A, Part 2 of Annex III to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535 as it applies in EU law on the date that the Road Vehicles (Type-Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 are made,
are met, the approval authority shall grant a GB type-approval and issue a type-approval number in accordance with the numbering system set out in Annex IV to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/683.The approval authority may not assign the same number to another vehicle type.
(3A.) Where type-approval is sought pursuant to paragraph 3(b) above, the relevant requirements—
(a) do not include the requirements within that Part—
(i) at points 2.1.2. and 2.4.5.; or
(ii) any which relate to front registration plates; and
(b) include the requirement at point 1.2.3. of Annex II to this Regulation.
4. For the purposes of paragraph 3, the type-approval authority shall deliver  a GB type-approval certificate established in accordance with the model set out in Part 2 of Annex I.
Article 3 
... The sale and entry into service of vehicles type-approved before the date referred to in Article 13(2) of Regulation (EC) No  661/2009 is permitted, and the approval authority must  continue to grant extension of approvals to those vehicles under the terms of Directive 70/222/EEC.
Article 4 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
...
ANNEX I
PART 1 
Information document No … relating to the GB type-approval of a motor vehicle or a trailer with regard to the space for mounting and the fixing of rear registration plates.

The following information shall be supplied in triplicate and include a list of contents. Any drawings shall be supplied in appropriate scale and in sufficient detail on size A4 or on a folder of A4 format. Photographs, if any, shall show sufficient detail.

If the systems, components or separate technical units referred to in this information document have electronic controls, information concerning their performance shall be supplied.
 0.  0.1. Make (trade name of manufacturer): …
 0.2. Type: …
 0.2.1. Commercial name(s) (if available): …
 0.3. Means of identification of type, if marked on the vehicle: …
 0.3.1. Location of that marking: …
 0.4. Category of vehicle: …
 0.5. Name and address of manufacturer: …
 0.8. Name(s) and address(es) of assembly plant(s): …
 0.9. Name and address of the manufacturer's representative (if any): …
 1.  1.1. Photographs and/or drawings of a representative vehicle: …
 2.  2.4. Range of vehicle dimensions (overall)
 2.4.2. For chassis with bodywork
 2.4.2.3. Height (in running order) (for suspensions adjustable for height, indicate normal running position): …
 2.6. Mass in running order
Mass of the vehicle with bodywork and, in the case of a towing vehicle of category other than M1, with coupling device, if fitted by the manufacturer, in running order, or mass of the chassis or chassis with cab, without bodywork and/or coupling device if the manufacturer does not fit the bodywork and/or coupling device (including liquids, tools, spare wheel, if fitted, and driver and, for buses and coaches, a crew member if there is a crew seat in the vehicle) (maximum and minimum for each variant): …
 9.  9.14. Space for mounting rear registration plates (give range where appropriate, drawings may be used where applicable): …
 9.14.1. Height above road surface, upper edge: …
 9.14.2. Height above road surface, lower edge: …
 9.14.3. Distance of the centre line from the longitudinal median plane of the vehicle: …
 9.14.4. Distance from the left vehicle edge: …
 9.14.5. Dimensions (length × width): …
 9.14.6. Inclination of the plane to the vertical: …
 9.14.7. Angle of visibility in the horizontal plane: …

PART 2 
Stamp of type-approval authority

Communication concerning:



— GB type-approval
— extension of GB type-approval
— refusal of GB type-approval
— withdrawal of GB type-approval of a type of motor vehicle or trailer with regard to the space for mounting and the fixing of rear registration plates
with regard to Regulation (EU) No 1003/2010,  as it has effect in domestic law, as last amended by S.I. …. /……,
GB type-approval number: …
Reason for extension: …

 SECTION I  0.1. Make (trade name of manufacturer): …
 0.2. Type: …
 0.2.1. Commercial name(s) (if available): …
 0.3. Means of identification of type, if marked on the vehicle: …
 0.3.1. Location of that marking: …
 0.4. Category of vehicle: …
 0.5. Name and address of manufacturer: …
 0.8. Name(s) and address(es) of assembly plant(s): …
 0.9. Name and address of the manufacturer's representative (if any): …
 SECTION II  1. Additional information: see Addendum.
 2. Technical service responsible for carrying out the tests: …
 3. Date of test report: …
 4. Number of test report: …
 5. Remarks (if any): see Addendum.
 6. Place: …
 7. Date: …
 8. Signature: …

AttachmentsInformation package
Test report

Addendum
1. 

1.1. Brief description of the vehicle type as regards its structure, dimensions, lines and constituent materials: …
1.2. Description of the rear registration plate space: …

2. Rear registration plate space is suitable for fixing a registration plate size up to (mm): 520 × 120/340 × 240

3. Location of the rear registration plate space: left of centre/centre

4. Rear registration plate space obscured when any mechanical coupling device is fitted: yes/no

5. Remarks: …

ANNEX II
1.  1.1. Shape and dimensions of the space for mounting a rear registration plate.
 1.1.1. 
either

width520 mmheight120 mm

or

width340 mmheight240 mm
 1.1.2. The surface to be covered by the registration plate may have holes or gaps.
 1.1.2.1. In case of vehicles of category M1 the width of the hole or gap shall not exceed 40 mm without having to take into account its length.
 1.1.3. The surface to be covered by the registration plate may have protrusions, provided that these do not project more than 5,0 mm in relation to the nominal surface. Patches of very soft materials, such as foam or felt for the purpose of the elimination of vibration of the registration plate, shall not be taken into account.
 1.2.  1.2.1. 

1.2.1.1. Position of the plate in relation to the longitudinal median plane of the vehicle:

1.2.1.1.1. The centre point of the plate shall not be situated to the right of the longitudinal median plane of the vehicle.
1.2.1.2. Position of the plate in relation to the vertical longitudinal plane of the vehicle:

1.2.1.2.1. The plate shall be perpendicular (± 5°) to the longitudinal plane of the vehicle.
1.2.1.2.2. The left-hand edge of the plate may not be situated to the left of the vertical plane which is parallel to the longitudinal median plane of the vehicle and touches the extreme outer edge of the vehicle.
1.2.1.3. Position of the plate in relation to the vertical transverse plane:

1.2.1.3.1. The plate may be inclined to the vertical:

1.2.1.3.1.1. At not less than – 5° and not more than 30°, provided that the height of the upper edge of the plate is not more than 1,20 m from the ground surface;
1.2.1.3.1.2. At not less than – 15° and not more than 5°, provided that the height of the upper edge of the plate is more than 1,20 m from the ground surface.
1.2.1.4. Height of the plate from the ground surface:

1.2.1.4.1. The height of the lower edge of the plate from the ground surface shall not be less than 0,30 m.
1.2.1.4.2. The height of the upper edge of the plate from the ground surface shall not exceed 1,20 m. However, where it is not practicable to comply with the height provision due to the construction of the vehicle, the maximum height may exceed 1,20 m, provided that it is as close to that limit as the constructional characteristics of the vehicle allow, and shall in no case exceed 2,00 m.
1.2.1.5. Geometrical visibility:

1.2.1.5.1. If the height of the upper edge of the plate from the ground surface does not exceed 1,20 m, the plate shall be visible in the whole space included within the following four planes:

— the two vertical planes touching the two lateral edges of the plate and forming an angle measured outwards to the left and to the right of the plate of 30° in relation to the longitudinal plane, parallel to the longitudinal median plane of the vehicle, passing through the centre of the plate,
— the plane touching the upper edge of the plate and forming an angle measured upwards of 15° with the horizontal,
— the horizontal plane through the lower edge of the plate.
1.2.1.5.2. If the height of the upper edge of the plate from the ground surface exceeds 1,20 m, the plate shall be visible in the whole space included within the following four planes:

— the two vertical planes touching the two lateral edges of the plate and forming an angle measured outwards to the left and to the right of the plate of 30° in relation to the longitudinal plane, parallel to the longitudinal median plane of the vehicle, passing through the centre of the plate,
— the plane touching the upper edge of the plate and forming an angle measured upwards of 15° with the horizontal,
— the plane touching the lower edge of the plate and forming an angle measured downwards of 15° with the horizontal.
1.2.1.6. The space between the edges of the mounted and fixed registration plate and the actual surface of the registration plate space shall not exceed 5,0 mm along the complete outline of the registration plate.

1.2.1.6.1. The prescribed maximum space may locally be exceeded in the case it is measured at a hole or gap within the surface of patterned mesh or between the parallel bars of the surface of grille.
 1.2.2. The actual position and shape of the mounted and fixed registration plate as determined in accordance with paragraph 1,2, in particular its resulting radius of curvature, shall be taken into account for the purpose of rear registration plate lighting device requirements.
 1.2.3. Whenever it is declared by the vehicle manufacturer that a vehicle is suitable for towing loads (point 1.9 of Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/683) and if the space for mounting the rear registration plate may as a result be (partly) obscured within the planes of geometrical visibility due to the permitted and/or recommended installation of any mechanical coupling device, this shall be noted in the test report and stated on the  GB type-approval  certificate. Furthermore, vehicle type-approval shall not be granted unless measures are taken to ensure that such mechanical coupling device, if installed and not in use, can be removed or repositioned only without the use of any tools, including release keys.

2.  2.1.  2.1.1. The vehicle is placed on a smooth ground surface with the vehicle's mass adjusted to that of the manufacturer's declared mass in running order, but without the driver, before the measurements are made.
 2.1.2. If the vehicle is equipped with hydropneumatic, hydraulic or pneumatic suspension or a device for automatic levelling according to load, it shall be tested with the suspension or device in the normal running condition, as specified by the manufacturer.
 2.1.3. If the registration plate is facing downwards, the measurement result concerning the inclination is expressed in minus.
 2.2. Projection measurements shall be made perpendicularly and directly towards the nominal surface to be covered by the registration plate.
 2.3. Measurement of the space between the edge of the mounted and fixed registration plate and the actual surface shall be made perpendicularly and directly towards the actual surface to be covered by the registration plate.
 2.4. The registration plate used for checking conformity shall have one of the two sizes as specified in paragraph 1.1.1.
