Plans to combat the prevalence of fake and altered number plates have been criticized as lacking clarity and effectiveness, according to warnings issued to ministers.
The British Number Plates Association (BNMA) has expressed alarm over the rising number of unauthorized number plates in circulation, particularly “ghost plates” that can reflect camera flashes, evade detection by speed cameras and bus lane cameras, and are sometimes referred to as 3D or 4D plates.
This concern arises following remarks from the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, suggesting that as many as one in 15 vehicles on UK roads could be equipped with modified, non-compliant plates to avoid detection.
Earlier this year, ministers unveiled the Road Safety Strategy, which included commitments to impose harsher penalties for driving with illegal plates, such as vehicle seizures, and to grant expanded authority to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Authority (DVLA).
Despite these pledges, there are mounting concerns that progress is sluggish. Michael Flanagan, Chair of BNMA, urged swift action, stating that while the issue of illegal number plates has been acknowledged in the Road Safety Strategy, specific measures to tackle these offenses are lacking in detail and may not be effective.
Labour MP Sarah Coombes described the current situation in the country as a “number plate wild west,” attributing the prevalence of ghost and cloned plates to the lack of oversight among the over 34,000 DVLA-registered suppliers. She called on the government to increase penalties for the use or supply of ghost plates and tighten regulations for DVLA suppliers.
Echoing these sentiments, Liberal Democrat MP Al Pinkerton criticized the inadequacy of the UK’s vehicle registration mark system, highlighting the ease with which cloning and ghost plates can be exploited despite advancements in digital security. He emphasized the detrimental impact on innocent motorists who face unjust fines and enforcement actions due to offenses they did not commit, as well as the compromised policing effectiveness caused by ghost plates reducing ANPR detection capabilities.
In response, a spokesperson from the Department for Transport (DfT) asserted that the Road Safety Strategy aims to tackle illegal plates aiding criminal activities. The DfT has conducted consultations on proposals for stricter penalties, plate standards review, and enhanced enforcement. With the consultation phase now closed, the DfT is reviewing the extensive feedback received before announcing the next steps.
This development highlights the ongoing efforts to address the pressing issue of illegal number plates and enhance road safety across the UK.