by More and more often on the road and in parking lots, you can see cars with attached bulky three-dimensional or four-dimensional license plates. Moreover, it turns out that there are even 5D plates. Is it legal, why do they need it, and can you get fined for attaching a 3D, 4D, or 5D license plate to your car? 
There is a theory that bulky plates help avoid fines for speeding during automatic fixation. Let’s say right away – this is a myth, nothing more.
So why do more and more drivers want to buy 3D numbers for a car? And judging by the growing number of companies engaged in their manufacture, there is a real demand for it. And the number of search queries is growing and growing, especially in cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa (previously, such numbers gained popularity in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan). 
The answer is simple and, as in a joke: “Firstly, doctor, it’s beautiful.” Yes, yes, there is no other explanation and can’t be. Although companies selling volumetric license plates talk about the following:
Advantages of 3D and 4D Numbers
- Original appearance
- Do not fade
- Can have built-in LED lighting
Regarding the lighting – yes.
In some cases, someone might like the numbers with lighting, but wouldn’t it be easier to just replace the standard bulbs..? As for the differences between 3D, 4D, and 5D, it’s very prosaic. 3D numbers have the least convex symbols (often – 6 mm), 4D – about 9-10 mm, 5D – 10-13 mm. Price – from 800 to 1400 UAH. Higher cost if with lighting – 2500-3000 UAH.
It should be noted that 3D-4D numbers can be on a metal (original) or plastic base. Also, companies offer American-style bulky numbers, 3D-4D-5D numbers for motorcycles, and even volumetric black license plates in retro style. By the way, it is the latter, in our opinion, that justify themselves. 
In general, bulky numbers are little understood “show-offs”, reminiscent of the old fashion for blue “whistles”, Sparco mudguards and grille on the numbers. Or do you disagree?
Anyway, no matter what the sellers say about their legality, there are many contentious points in this matter, which one way or another can be encountered when dealing with patrols.
Are 3D Numbers Legal in Ukraine
Companies claim that they are legal and fully comply with the standards of DSTU 4278:2012. Is this really the case? 
In our opinion, the law can be interpreted in different ways, but at the end of August, the first deputy head of the Patrol Police Department Oleksii Biloshitsky expressed the position of the police regarding bulky 3D and other HD numbers. Quoting his page on Facebook:
“Clause 4.3 DSTU 3650: 2019 “Road transport.
License plate number signs. General technical conditions” clearly states that license plates are made by stamping from strips of aluminum or sheet steel. However, the method of making 3D license plates involves applying acrylic symbols on the outside of an aluminum plate. Conclusion: 3D license plates do not meet the established requirements of DSTU 3650: 2019. Regarding the Traffic Rules.
According to paragraph 2.9 “v”, drivers are prohibited from driving a vehicle with a license plate that does not comply with the standards. The same norm is contained in the Code of Administrative Offenses, where liability is provided (part 6 of Article 121 of CAO).”
Fine for 3D Numbers in Ukraine
So, what is the responsibility for bulky license plates? We answer: 170 UAH. (for a repeated violation within a year – 255 UAH or community service for a period of thirty to forty hours, with paid seizure of the vehicle or without it).
3D or DDD?
So, why and what for 3D numbers on a car?
To have somewhere to spend an extra thousand hryvnias (or even several) and to have something to discuss with the patrol…
