The DVLA has banned more than 400 UK registration number plates with dozens of new designs taken off the road. The DVLA has pulled a total of 403 new registration plates from their upcoming ‘26’ release due to concerns over offensive phrases.
The DVLA culls plates ahead of new designs being launched twice per year, with any combinations that are considered to be offensive, obscene, or unsuitable removed from circulation. Last September, 210 character combinations were banned from the '25' plate release, and 436 combinations taken out of the '76' run.
According to RegTransfers, who obtained the banned list through a Freedom of Information Act request, phrases such as ‘AS26 HOL’ and ‘SC26 TUM’ are among those set to be banned.
The new plates are set to hit the roads from March 1,2026, and will be fitted to brand new vehicles registered up until the end of August. Mark Trimbee, CEO of Regtransfers, stressed the list of banned plates for 2026 was one of the “larger ones” in recent years.
He explained: “The release of new number plates is always an exciting time for us, as it brings a fresh wave of fun, appealing and valuable combinations to our roads.
“Sadly, it also brings a new horde of combinations that are considered a bit too risky to allow out into the public. The DVLA have an unfortunate role to play, and while some might see this as them being ‘killjoys’, they do have the responsibility to keep people safe from offensive, derogatory and provocative plates.
“This new list of banned combinations is one of the larger ones we’ve seen, but as with each new release, there will still be plenty of great combinations to look out for.”
But experts have warned that even the slightest resemblance to an offensive term may be enough to trigger removal from sale. According to RegTransfers, other combinations taken off the road include phrases such as ‘TR26 NNY’, ‘LE26 ZER’ and ‘FA26 OTT’.
Meanwhile, political phrases or messages of violence, such as ‘GO26 WAR’ and ‘TE26 ROR’ have also been removed ahead of the March release. Experts have also revealed that any number plate combinations featuring references to UKR and RUS have also been axed.
