Number plates in the UK

[4GS]

Why are UK number plates have a white background on the front of the car, and a yelllow background on the back of the car?
TIA

[squarebear]

I would imagine it's to differentiate between the two ends of a car so you can tell whether it is facing you or facing away. Could be handy in CCTV images.

[sddsddean]

Exactly sb. When the old white on black plates were changed to reflective plates it was decided that having a white plate at the front and yellow at the rear would add to road safety as you would be able to tell which way a vehicle (should ) be going. Whether this intention is borne out by any statistics, I don't know.

[Ethel]

In a 30mph residential area it is illegal to park offside to kerb during the hours of darkness (unless there is a plate telling you otherwise).

This is so oncoming traffic can clearly see the parked vehicles by both the rear reflectors and the yellow number plate.

[Panic Button]

Not just a 30 Ethel. You can' park anywhere on the road at night facing the wrong way.

[Panic Button]

Can't

[McNoodle]

Practically my whole road park in one direction due to the end most of us access it on our way home. That makes me and most of my half of the road illegal parkers! It's obviously rarely enforced then - they'd have a ticket bonanza round the roads I live..

[Ethel]

McNoodle - you wait until there is a rookie officer on nights sent out to prove his worth with a big pad of FPNs, or they are on a revenue raising drive.

[McNoodle]

My road is so narrow there is effectively no 'left' side to
drive on, so the law would be useless in its effectiveness and reasoning that oncoming traffic would benefit from the reflective qualities of a parked, rear plate.

[McNoodle]

...plus, an officer on patrol - don't make me laugh!

[phizzy]

this may be a bit late but i will post it anyhow - all the above takes me back to when you had to leave side lights on at night (tough on the old battery or use a small parking light clipped onto the window - didn't seem to matter which way car was facing just so long as the 'parking' light was positioned to face the right way) (blimey showing my age now - a very young 67)

[phizzy]

oop - forgot to say that back then the number plates were usually white or silvery on black

[Panic Button]

You still have to leave lights on if the speed limit is above 30