The government has launched a major crackdown on illegal 'ghost' number plates, following an investigation revealing their widespread use by criminals and rogue drivers to evade detection.
New Penalties and Tighter Checks
Under the new proposals, motorists caught using number plates designed to be invisible to road cameras will face penalty points and could have their vehicles seized. The plans form a key part of a landmark Road Safety Strategy announced today.
The Department for Transport (DfT) will work with the DVLA, the DVSA, and police forces to review international standards for plates. Furthermore, tougher checks will be introduced during annual MOTs to ensure plates are fully readable by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera systems.
Currently, a loophole in Britain's regulations means it is not illegal to sell plates with raised 3D or 4D characters, which can create shadows and distortions that confuse cameras. A Daily Mail probe found these 'ghost plates' could be on up to one in 15 cars, with the newspaper easily obtaining a set through an official DVLA-registered supplier.
AI and a Broader Safety Push
The crackdown will see the DVLA carry out more robust checks on number plate suppliers. Authorities are also exploring the potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) to help identify ghost plates in conjunction with existing ANPR technology.
These measures are part of a wider government strategy to improve road safety. Other proposals include introducing mandatory sight tests for drivers once they reach 70, a minimum learning period for new drivers, and penalty points for not wearing a seatbelt.
The overarching goal is to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain's roads by 65 per cent by 2035, with a higher target of 70 per cent for children under 16. Road deaths have fallen from 7,763 in 1972 to 1,602 in 2024, but progress has slowed since 2010.
Political and Industry Reaction
Labour MP Sarah Coombes, who campaigned for the change, stated: "There is no good reason to use a ghost plate, it threatens safety on our roads and allows criminals to go under the radar. But they've now been rumbled."
Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said: "Ghost number plates allow dangerous drivers to evade detection and escape accountability, but we are sending a clear message: if you drive with illegal plates, you will face consequences."
AA president Edmund King described the plans as a 'radical reframing of road safety', while the RAC's Rod Dennis welcomed the return of casualty reduction targets, saying it 'can't come soon enough'.
However, Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden urged caution, warning some proposals must be examined to ensure they are "neither disproportional nor anti-motorist". He stressed the need for better enforcement against existing dangers like drug-driving and uninsured drivers.
