The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has warned about the danger of stolen number plates, urging drivers to check before they purchase or could risk fines.
The DVLA called on drivers to make sure they buy license plates from a registered supplier to avoid the risk of purchasing a stolen one.
Drivers could face fines of up to £1,000 and see their vehicle fail its MOT test if they drive with incorrectly displayed number plates.
When buying registration plates, the DVLA explained how the suppliers should ask drivers for the original documents that show proof of name and address as well as evidence that the motorist is allowed to use the registration number.
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Around 27,000 number plates are stolen each year in the UK
PA
Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, the DVLA warned that if the supplier fails to ask for these things, there could be a risk they are selling phony or stolen plates.
The warning comes ahead of the March deadline when new “24” registration plates will be rolled out with the UK welcoming the latest generation of new car models.
Ensuring a vehicle has the correct registration plate is critical as drivers could risk fines if found to have inaccuracies or stolen plates.
Thousands of drivers across the UK are at risk of being hit with fines every year for common number plate offences, as roughly 14,000 drivers were prosecuted for vehicle registration mark offences between 2021 and 2022.
The number plate retailer detailed how 27,000 number plates are stolen each year in the UK - equalling almost 70 each day.
Data from the Office of National Statistics showed how vehicle thefts in England and Wales rose eight per cent in the 12 months to September last year which contributed to the stolen plates figure.
Jake Smith, director at Absolute Reg, called on drivers to ensure their plates are legible and won’t get them pulled over by the police.
Smith added: “There are thousands of cars on the roads with number plates altered to create something totally unique.
“Many of these are tinted or use a different font design to make the car stand out from the crowd. But if the police decide the number plate doesn’t conform to the rules then there could be a fine issued.”
The DVLA advises drivers to get their vehicles fitted with theft-resistant number plates which make it harder for someone to quickly remove and reuse them.
The current vehicle registration number format consists of two letters, referring to the region in the country where the vehicle was first registered.
It also features two numbers that detail where it was issued and three letters chosen at random.
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The DVLA advises drivers to get their vehicles fitted with theft-resistant number plates
PA
Number plates in the UK have to meet certain requirements. They must be made from a reflective material with the front plate displayed in black characters on a white background.
The rear plate must display black characters on a yellow background and the lettering must be in the Charles Wright 2001 typeface.