Motorists could be slapped with a £1,000 fine for breaking a number plate rule many are likely unaware of. The DVLA is set to tackle ghost plates, registration plates that have purposefully been modified to make them invisible or undetectable to Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
Motorists buying vehicles second-hand may not even be aware that their plates are non-compliant, which could see innocent road users stopped. Number plates are a legal requirement and must be kept clear and in compliance with strict criteria at all times.
Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, stressed that that road users found breaking the rules could be slapped with hefty penalties which can rise to four-figure sums.
Graham said: “It’s also important for drivers to understand that any modifications around their licence plate, that could make it unreadable, are also considered illegal.
“For example, licence plate lights must be white – not tinted blue or any other colour – and need to illuminate the plate evenly without causing any shadows. The bulbs themselves must not be visible. Failure to meet these requirements can result in fines of up to £1,000, as well as an MOT failure for the vehicle.”
According to Select Car Leasing, experts stressed that number plates must contain a reflective colour scheme. Front plates should be white with black characters, while rear plates painted yellow with black characters. Number plates must also have a specific font and format and should be made from a certain type of durable, reflective material.
Number plates must also be marked with a British Standard number – currently listed as BS AU 145e for any registration plates fitted after September 1st 2021. Select Car Leasing also stressed that it was crucial road users “understand the nuances” of number plate rules.
They stressed that even the smallest modifications could ensure registration plates are no longer legal. One example is that 3D characters are allowed on licence plates, but only if the raised letters are not black or have a reflective coating on them.
Graham added: “Motorists looking to replace or customise their plates should only buy from DVLA-registered suppliers who follow the legal guidelines. Plates that feature illegal fonts, incorrect spacing, tinted backgrounds, or missing supplier information can all lead to penalties.”
