The Department for Transport has issued an update on proposals that could see drivers face increased penalty points and immediate vehicle seizure for using incorrect, altered, or false number plates. The move follows a parliamentary question about whether number plate verification could become a mandatory part of the MOT test.
Government considers tougher penalties
In a recent parliamentary intervention, Tory MP Sir Julian Lewis asked Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander what steps she will take to tackle false or unreadable number plates, including increasing penalties, adding number plate verification to MOT tests, requiring criminal record checks for suppliers, and supplying police with detection equipment and training.
Responding, Justin Madders, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, confirmed the department is examining feedback on Road Safety Strategy proposals to toughen penalties. He said: "The Government recognises the impact of number plate crime and is committed to addressing this issue."
Consultation closed in May
In his statement on 7 September, Madders said the government is reviewing motoring offences and has sought views on introducing penalty points and vehicle seizure for the offence of being in charge of a motor vehicle with an incorrect, altered, or false number plate. The consultation closed on 11 May and responses are being considered.
He added that 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.
DVLA explores supplier register
The DVLA is also exploring measures to establish a more stringent, auditable Register of Number Plate Supplier system, enabling stricter oversight of suppliers and their products. Potential changes under review include examining fees, scheme structure, resources, and funding arrangements.
Madders said the DVLA offers support and training for police forces on the illegal display and supply of number plates. The Department for Transport is also funding a new National Roads Policing Coordination Centre (NRPCC), which brings together police forces from across England to share intelligence and trial new technology to detect plates designed to evade cameras.
Police concerns and road safety strategy
Police forces and road safety organisations have raised concerns with ministers that certain offences carry insufficient consequences, such as penalty points or vehicle confiscation. These include offences related to a vehicle's roadworthiness (no MOT), where no current keeper is identifiable, and incorrect, altered, or false number plates.
The consultation noted: "Police and road safety groups have told the government they are concerned that some offences do not carry extra penalties, such as penalty points or vehicle seizure." It added that criminals exploit legal loopholes to hide vehicle ownership, making it harder for police to keep the public safe and pursue offenders.
In her consultation foreword, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Transport stated: "In 2024, there were 1,602 deaths on our roads - an average of around 30 a week, or 4 to 5 per day. There were also 27,865 serious injuries on our roads." She added that strong, decisive action is long overdue, noting that real progress will come when a range of measures work together systematically.
