Britons banned from getting 'EU23 OFF' number plate over fears it will cause offence
A long list of number plates have been banned over fears they could cause offence
PA
Britons have been banned from getting "EU23 OFF" as a numberplate after being deemed offensive by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Each year the Government agency which oversees the licensing of new vehicles has issued a long list of number plates which it believes are unsuitable.
It scraps number plates that it fears risk leading to people being insulted.
Twice a year the DVLA hold a meeting at their base in Swansea to assess which number and letter combinations might be offensive or rude.
The DVLA banned number plates it feared would cause offence
PA
Following Brexit, a number of combinations related to the EU have been removed.
EU23 OFF and EU23 BAD have both been taken off this year's list.
Others deemed unfit for use include: GO23 HEL, EA23 POO, BA23 TRD, PS23 CHO and TO23 ERR.
Hugo Griffiths, the consumer editor of specialist website Carwow, which first uncovered the list said: 'Personalised number plates are a huge business, bringing in £2billion for the Treasury since the DVLA started selling them in 1989, with around 400,000 cherished plates sold each year.
"Despite this lucrative revenue stream, there are some plates that are simply too rude for the road.
"And while few would argue against the suppression of offensive number plates, the biannual meetings where DVLA staff sit down and deliberately come up with rude combinations must be one of the highlights of the organisation’s calendar.
"Even for those not interested in personalised registrations, changing your car during the March and September plate-change months can be a wise idea, both for people wanting to have the latest reg, and for bargain hunters who could get a good deal on a car with the previous registration."
Vehicles registered from the start of March have been issued with the new "23" number plates.