New crackdown on illegal 'ghost' registration plates after Mail probe

A Daily Mail probe reported that up to one in 15 cars may carry 'ghost' number plates, and the government has announced plans including tougher MOT checks, stronger DVLA supplier checks and consultations on penalty points and vehicle seizure.

The government has announced measures to tackle so-called "ghost" number plates after a Daily Mail investigation highlighted their use. The probe reported that some plates with 3D or 4D characters can be difficult for road cameras to read, and that such plates have been obtained from a DVLA-registered supplier. Ministers say the measures form part of a wider road safety strategy aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries. Known details: - The Daily Mail investigation reported that up to one in 15 cars could have number plates that are hard for automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to read. - Ghost plates often use raised or distorted characters that can confuse cameras; the article said samples were nearly invisible under infrared, which some cameras use at night. - The Department for Transport will work with the DVLA, DVSA and the police to review international standards for number plates. - Proposed actions include tougher checks during annual MOTs, more robust vetting of number plate suppliers by the DVLA, and research into using artificial intelligence to identify problematic plates. - The government said it will consult on introducing penalty points and vehicle seizure for drivers found using illegal plates, alongside other road safety proposals such as sight tests for older drivers and minimum learning periods for new drivers. Summary: The announced measures are intended to reduce opportunities for drivers and criminals to evade detection by making plates easier for ANPR systems to read and by tightening supplier oversight. Consultation and review work are planned, but detailed implementation timelines and final decisions are undetermined at this time.