The UK government is considering stronger measures against illegal number plates, including possible penalty points and vehicle seizures for drivers using plates designed to avoid identification.
The proposed strategy focuses on tackling so-called “ghost number plates” and other illegal registrations that can prevent vehicles from being correctly identified by enforcement systems.
Government Reviews New Powers For Plate Enforcement
According to Birmingham Live, the government’s strategy outlines a plan to address illegal number plates through closer cooperation between transport authorities, police forces and the vehicle industry.
The strategy outlines: “Addressing the problem of illegal number plates, including ‘ghost’ number plates.”
The document adds: “To do this, the government will work with the DVLA, the DVSA, the police and industry to review the current standard for numberplates; and empower the DVLA to carry out more robust checks on numberplate suppliers.”
The proposed approach would focus on stopping illegal plates earlier in the process by increasing oversight of suppliers and improving checks before plates reach vehicles.
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AI Technology Could Help Detect Illegal Plates
Authorities are also exploring whether new technology could support enforcement teams by identifying suspicious registrations more effectively.
The strategy includes: “Targeted research will also be conducted to understand the full scale of the problem and explore the potential use of AI to identify illegal plates.”
Artificial intelligence systems could potentially help detect plates that do not meet legal requirements or identify patterns linked to attempts to avoid automated recognition systems.
The government has not announced a final system or timetable for any AI-based enforcement tools, with further research planned to assess the scale of illegal plate use.
Drivers Could Face Points And Vehicle Seizure
The review includes proposals for stronger punishments aimed at drivers who deliberately use illegal number plates.
The strategy says: “The government will consult on introducing tougher penalties for driving a vehicle with illegal plates, including penalty points and ultimately vehicle seizure.”
Under the proposals, drivers could face consequences beyond existing fines if they are found using plates that break legal requirements. The possible introduction of penalty points would add a direct impact on driving licences, while vehicle seizure would represent a more severe response for certain cases.
The government’s review comes as authorities continue to deal with vehicles that use altered or misleading registrations, which can create problems for enforcement operations, road safety investigations and automated monitoring systems.
