Drivers face £1,000 fines for little-known number plate offences
Remain ahead of the curve by brushing up on number plate blunders that can land you with a fine.
Drivers have been warned to check that their licence plates are legal to avoid a £1,000 maximum fine and risk failing their MOT test.
Rules state that motorists must display their number plates in a way that ensures they’re legible and inalterable.
The DVLA stipulates that licence plates must contain reflective material, display black characters on a white background for the front plate, and have black characters on a yellow background for the rear, according to Swindon Advertiser.
Incorrect plate font, spacing, or tinting on plates can result in a fine.
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Additional requirements include:
No plates with a background pattern
Markings reflecting the plates’ supplier
Contain a British Standard number marking
No characters that are removable or reflective
Having a single shade of black if fitted after 1 September 2021
If drivers meet these criteria, the plates can’t be obstructed by elements like mud and must be adequately lit to ensure optimal visibility.
Number plates can contain 3D raised characters, certain flags, symbols, identifiers, or a green flash signalling a zero-emissions vehicle.
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During 2021 and 2022, estimates show authorities prosecuted around 14,000 drivers for vehicle registration (VRM) mark offences, GB News reports.
However, only 30 out of 43 England and Wales police forces responded, suggesting that these numbers may be higher.
London drivers were responsible for a solid percentage of these infractions, with 5,969 in 2021 and 5,739 in 2022.