The UK government, led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, is contemplating significant updates to the rules governing vehicle number plates, a government minister has confirmed. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is currently reviewing four main areas aimed at enhancing controls over number plate supply and improving enforcement measures.
This initiative follows a recent Parliamentary update outlining the existing regulations related to number plate checks during MOT tests. Government officials have expressed a determination to strengthen these rules further.
The discussion arose after Julian Lewis, Conservative MP for New Forest East, queried the Department for Transport about steps to combat the use of false or unreadable number plates, particularly those that evade automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology. He sought information about potential measures including increased penalties for using and supplying illegal plates, incorporating number plate verification into MOTs, introducing criminal record checks for number plate suppliers, and providing police forces with enhanced detection equipment and training.
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Responding on Monday 7 September, Justin Madders, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Transport, acknowledged the government’s recognition of the impact of number plate crime and its commitment to tackling the issue. He explained that the DVLA works closely with police forces and the National Police Chiefs' Council to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate offences.
Madders highlighted that the government’s Road Safety Strategy, published on 7 January 2026, outlines a vision for safer roads and includes a review of motoring offences. As part of this, a consultation has been held on introducing penalty points and vehicle seizure for offences involving incorrect, altered, or false number plates; responses to this consultation are currently under consideration.
He also noted that a visual inspection of number plates is already incorporated in MOT tests, which assess front and rear plates for security, legibility, visibility, and legal compliance.
Regarding the Register of Number Plate Supplier, the DVLA is considering measures to make it more robust and auditable, enabling tighter checks on both suppliers and the plates they provide. Options under review include adjustments to fees, the structure of the scheme, allocation of resources, and funding.
Additionally, the DVLA offers support and training to police forces to tackle the illegal display and supply of number plates. The Department for Transport is investing in a new National Roads Policing Coordination Centre. This centre facilitates collaboration among police forces across England by sharing intelligence and improving data use. Its remit includes stepping up enforcement against illegal number plates and trialling new detection technologies.
On the same day as these announcements, the government detailed a police strategy deploying innovative technology such as specialist goggles to identify number plates deliberately rendered unreadable by criminals to avoid detection.
A government statement emphasised that illegal number plates are frequently involved in criminal activities aimed at evading penalties related to speeding, parking, or clean air zones. Such plates are often used in organised crime, including the transportation of illicit goods. Because vehicles with unreadable plates are harder to track, they hinder police efforts to combat theft and other serious crimes.
In a related Parliamentary inquiry, Grahame Morris, Labour MP for Easington, asked about potential enhancements to screening and background checks for vehicle registration plate suppliers, including criminal record checks where appropriate. In his response on 8 September, Justin Madders reaffirmed the government’s ongoing actions and proposed measures under the Road Safety Strategy and the review of the number plate supplier registration process.
To raise public awareness, the DVLA utilises social media and its official website to advise drivers on purchasing number plates only from registered suppliers and provides information on locating approved providers.
The Home Office holds responsibility for police funding, while the DVLA continues to provide support and training to police forces to address illegal number plate supply and display effectively.