DVLA Warns of Potential £1000 Fines For Illegal Number Plates

The DVLA has warned that drivers could face a £1000 fine for having a number plate on their vehicle that does not comply with the latest requirements.

The new number plate laws have come into action from 1st March 2022, if drivers are not aware of the changes they could get caught out. Furthermore, any vehicle with a non-compliant number plate will fail its MOT.

Number plates need to be clear to read and as such ‘fancy’ lettering has been outlawed, in favour of solid black letters/numbers.

So-called ‘carbon plates where letters/numbers are a dark grey colour have also been outlawed. This is because the plates now need to meet a ‘Near Infrared’ (NIR) contrast threshold, so that ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras can read the plate accurately.

Spacing between numbers/letters should also be consistent with how the plate is supposed to look, with a gap of 7mm, there should also be an outer gap of 10mm around the letters/numbers.

New number plates are now made to a new BS AU 145e standard, that is more durable and resistant to the elements. Plates issued from 1^st Sept 2021, should bare the new ’BS AU 145e’ mark.

New number plates should also bare the Union Jack and ‘UK’ badge (to reflect the UK’s exit from the EU) …. CYM, ENG, SCO and WALES are also permissible.