The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is reviewing four key areas with the aim of strengthening controls on number plates and their suppliers, as the government weighs new penalties for number plate crime.
The review follows a question from Conservative MP for New Forest East, Julian Lewis, who asked the Department for Transport about measures to tackle false or unreadable number plates. His question covered increasing penalties for using and supplying such plates, including number plate verification in MOT tests, requiring suppliers to undergo criminal record checks, and supplying police with detection equipment and training.
Government response and consultation
Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Transport, Justin Madders, said: "The Government recognises the impact of number plate crime and is committed to addressing this issue. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) works closely with police forces and the National Police Chiefs' Council to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime."
Madders noted that the Road Safety Strategy, published on 7 January 2026, set out the government's vision for safer roads. As part of this, the Department for Transport is reviewing motoring offences and sought views on introducing penalty points and vehicle seizure for the offence of being in charge of a vehicle with an incorrect, altered or false number plate.
MOT checks and supplier registration
The consultation closed on 11 May, and responses are being considered. A visual inspection of a vehicle's number plate is already included as part of the MOT test, checking front and rear plates for security, legibility, visibility and legal conformity.
The DVLA is also considering options to ensure a more robust, auditable Register of Number Plate Supplier process, which would enable tighter checks on suppliers and the plates they supply. Options being considered include reviewing fees, scheme structure, resources and funding.
Police support and enforcement
The DVLA offers support and training for police forces on the illegal display and supply of number plates. Additionally, the Department for Transport is funding a new National Roads Policing Coordination Centre, which brings together police forces from across England to share intelligence, improve collaboration and make better use of data. Its work includes stepping up enforcement against illegal number plates and trialling new technology to help detect plates designed to evade cameras.
