A £40 loophole in DVLA registration allows illegal number plates to proliferate, fuelling crime and impacting innocent drivers.
Illegal number plates, specifically “ghost” and “cloned” versions, are reportedly enabling a range of criminal activities on UK roads, from antisocial behaviour to organised crime. These plates, which can evade Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, have been linked to serious incidents, including the recent deaths of two police officers in a head-on crash on the A66 in Middlesbrough, where cloned plates were believed to be used. The occupants of the Passat involved in the crash also died.
The issue extends to other violent crimes, such as a 2022 murder in Slough where a stolen car with cloned plates was used, hindering the initial police investigation.
Critics point to a significant loophole in the DVLA’s Register of Number Plate Supplier (RNPS) scheme, which allows individuals to become registered suppliers for as little as £40 with minimal vetting, making it easy for criminals to obtain illicit plates. Reports suggest over 130 registered suppliers have been willing to provide banned plates, with one West Midlands individual allegedly supplying over 7,000 to the criminal underworld.
Parliament is currently considering a bill to address this problem, aiming to increase penalties for illegal plate use.
- Illegal “ghost” plates use sprays or modified fonts to evade ANPR cameras; “cloned” plates use real registration numbers from unwitting drivers.
- Cloned plates were reportedly used on a Volkswagen Passat involved in a fatal A66 crash that killed two police officers and five occupants of the Passat.
- Illegal plates have also been linked to a 2022 murder in Slough, initially slowing police investigations.
- The DVLA recorded 11,394 reports of cloned plates between January and December 2025.
- In London, fines cancelled due to cloned plates increased by 64% in 2023, affecting innocent car owners.
- The DVLA’s Register of Number Plate Supplier (RNPS) scheme costs £40 to join, with critics citing a lack of vetting and monitoring.
- More than 130 DVLA-registered suppliers have allegedly been willing to provide illegal cloned plates.
- A Labour MP is pushing for increased penalties for illegal plate use, from a £100 fine to £1,000 and six penalty points.
- The Department for Transport and DVLA are considering options for a more robust and auditable RNPS process and improving plate security.
The DVLA’s Supplier Registration System
The current system for registering number plate suppliers, overseen by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), appears to be a significant enabler of the illegal plate trade. For a fee as low as £40, individuals can become part of the Register of Number Plate Supplier (RNPS) scheme. Crucially, the system reportedly lacks robust vetting, trading history requirements, or ongoing monitoring of its members’ practices.
This minimal barrier to entry and oversight has allowed numerous suppliers to allegedly produce and distribute cloned or ghost plates, directly contributing to the problem highlighted by the Vehicle Identification Group.
The group, advising the government, has identified over 135 such registered members nationally willing to create cloned plates, indicating a systemic vulnerability rather than isolated incidents.
ANPR System Integrity Is Compromised
The proliferation of illegal number plates directly undermines the effectiveness of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems, a critical national infrastructure. These cameras are vital for tracking stolen vehicles, monitoring criminal activity, enforcing traffic laws, and supporting national security operations.
When ghost plates evade detection or cloned plates misdirect enforcement to innocent citizens, the entire ANPR framework is compromised. This breakdown of a core technological tool has tangible consequences, as evidenced by the delayed investigation into a murder case and the challenge of identifying vehicles involved in serious incidents like the A66 crash.
The integrity of this system is fundamental to public safety and law enforcement capabilities across the country.
Key Questions for the DVLA and Parliament
- What specific legislative changes will be implemented to strengthen the RNPS vetting process, and what is the timeline for their introduction?
- How will the DVLA increase its auditing capability and enforcement against registered suppliers found to be producing illegal plates?
- What immediate measures will be taken to address the reported 130+ suppliers already willing to create cloned plates, and what penalties will they face?
- Will the proposed increase in fines and penalty points for illegal plate use be sufficient to deter criminals, or are more comprehensive enforcement strategies needed?
Competing Interests in Plate Regulation
- Law Enforcement (Police, Home Office): They gain significantly from effective ANPR systems for tracking criminals, stolen vehicles, and enforcing laws. They lose when illegal plates hinder investigations, compromise safety, and divert resources to false leads. Their interest is in robust regulation and enforcement.
- DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency): As the body responsible for vehicle registration and supplier oversight, they gain from an efficient, low-cost registration system. They risk reputational damage and public criticism when their system is exploited by criminals, and they face pressure to implement more stringent, potentially more costly, controls.
- Innocent Drivers: They gain from a secure system that prevents their vehicle identities from being stolen. They lose time, money, and peace of mind when their plates are cloned, leading to wrongful fines, administrative burdens, and potential involvement in criminal investigations.
- Illegal Plate Suppliers/Criminals: They gain directly from the existing loophole, which provides them with a low-cost, low-risk way to obtain tools for evading detection. They risk increased penalties and more robust enforcement if the system is reformed, making their operations more difficult and costly.
The £40 Loophole Demands Urgent DVLA Action
The current state of number plate regulation, particularly the ease with which one can become a registered supplier for a mere £40, is an unacceptable vulnerability that directly fuels serious crime.
It is not merely an administrative oversight but a gaping loophole that has demonstrably contributed to tragic consequences, including the deaths of police officers and the hindrance of murder investigations. The DVLA’s acknowledgment of the problem is a start, but a “consideration of options” is insufficient given the urgency and severity of the issue.
The solution is clear: the DVLA must immediately overhaul its Register of Number Plate Supplier (RNPS) scheme. This requires significantly increasing the cost of registration to reflect the responsibility involved, implementing rigorous background checks for all applicants, and establishing continuous, proactive monitoring of registered suppliers. Furthermore, penalties for suppliers found to be complicit in the illegal plate trade must be severe enough to act as a genuine deterrent.
Without these decisive actions, the “Wild West” on Britain’s roads will persist, and the ANPR system, a vital tool for public safety, will remain fundamentally compromised. A reasonable person might argue that increasing fees could deter legitimate small businesses, but the cost of inaction, in terms of human lives and public safety, far outweighs this concern.
Parliamentary Debate and DVLA Reforms
- The progress of the parliamentary bill aiming to increase penalties for illegal plate use, championed by MPs like Sarah Coombes and Dr Al Pinkerton, will be a key indicator of legislative intent.
- The DVLA’s specific proposals for a “more robust and auditable Register of Number Plate Supplier (RNPS) process” will need to be published, detailing changes to legislation, fees, structure, resources, and funding.
- Any concrete actions resulting from the DVLA’s collaboration with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Home Office, and other government departments to improve identification and enforcement of number plate crime will be critical to observe.
Innocent Drivers Face Fines and Hassle
Innocent drivers face the concrete risk of receiving cancelled fines and dealing with administrative burdens when their legitimate number plates are cloned by criminals. The reported 64% increase in cancelled fines in London alone in 2023 illustrates the widespread nature of this problem.
This means that if your plate is cloned, you could receive speeding tickets, congestion charge penalties, or other fines for offenses you did not commit. While these fines are eventually cancelled, the process of proving your innocence can be time-consuming and stressful, requiring communication with authorities and potentially gathering evidence.
Furthermore, the use of your cloned plate in serious crimes could lead to unwanted police inquiries, adding further distress and inconvenience.
