RAC warn millions of UK drivers over number plate fault
These plates have a reflective coating, which prevents them from being identified by speed cameras and roadside ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras.
Online sites are also flogging self-adhesive laminate covers that can be stuck to existing plates, rendering them invisible to enforcement cameras.
The British Number Plate Manufacturers Association, which represents companies producing the vast majority of plates in the UK, wants tougher regulation of the sector to crack down on illegal suppliers.
Trading Standards and the DVLA are calling for a crackdown on sales of illegal 'ghost plates' on cars. They are fake or altered number plates that can't be read by police cameras. They're becoming an increasing problem on UK roads with drivers, often linked to criminal gangs or… pic.twitter.com/Q6zI9phJLR
Its chairman warned that the products are 'enabling serious criminals and terrorists to move around the roads undetected'.
In addition to selling ghost plates, online retailers are brazenly offering transparent films and reflective sprays that obscure a plate's letter and number combination under infrared light.
Sprays are advertised by sellers on well-known online retailers for around £4.
Some are also selling plates with subtly altered characters to disrupt camera software's ability to recognise them accurately.
BNMA chairman Michael Flanagan said: "Far from being the tightly regulated industry it should be, number plates are increasingly being sold by unscrupulous below-the-radar suppliers using non-compliant, untraceable materials.
"They rarely ask for the documentation that the DVLA require.
"This is a criminal offence and enables serious criminals and terrorists to move around the roads undetected.
Recommended reading:
"Motorists deserve to know they are buying a legal, compliant number plate from a legitimate supplier.
"Now is the time for the Government to tighten the regulations."
RAC head of policy Simon Williams, who will also attend the roundtable with MPs today, added: "Given the proliferation of number plate recognition cameras used for various types of enforcement, it simply isn't right that criminals can get away with these offences by easily purchasing illegal ghost plates.
"Together with the modern motoring menace that is cloned number plates, where blameless drivers have to prove their innocence for motoring offences they didn't commit, it's apparent these are serious and growing problems that need solutions."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
DVLA Scam
Here are some useful links that Rav and Dr Punma mentioned on today's show discussing a recent DVLA Scam:Scam information for Police Scotland here, external. For England, Wales and Northern Ireland, contact action fraud - their details can be found here, external. Report any phishing scams you come across here, external. More information available from the National Crime Agency here, external.
Metro
3 days ago
- Metro
Dartford Charge will go up for drivers - here's how much it rises
The Dartford Crossing charge is set to increase later on this year to help ease congestion, the Department for Transport has announced. The fee, which is paid by motorists driving on the A282 road between Dartford in Kent in the south and Thurrock in Essex in the north, is used to maintain upkeep of the bridge. From September 1, the Dartford Crossing charge will increase from £2.50 to £3.50 for cars, minibuses and motorhomes, while coaches, buses and vans will be charged £4.20 instead of the previous price of £3. The Dartford Crossing charge for lorries and large vehicles with more than two axles will increase from £6 to £8.40. Motorbikes and mopeds can continue to cross for free. The route is the UK's busiest crossing as it sees an average of 150,000 vehicles a day, but it was built for 135,000, National Highways said. On some days, traffic reaches 180,000, and the crossing is no stranger to traffic gridlock and severe delays. Drivers using the crossing, which is made up of the Queen Elizabeth II bridge southbound and two tunnels northbound, have to pay the Dart Charge every time they use it. The Dart Charge has faced criticism from motorists who have been wrongly fined for crossings they never made, including a doctor who was fined 34 times after the ANPR cameras mistook another number plate as hers. Residents have been able to cross as many times as they want for £20 a year, but that will also increase this autumn to £25. Announcing the Dartford Crossing charge increase, junior transport minister, Lilian Greenwood, said the traffic levels are 'well in excess of the crossing's design capacity, causing delays for drivers using the crossing, congestion and journey disruption to drivers on the M25 and a range of knock-on impacts for local communities.' The crossing charges have increased steadily since the four-lane bridge opened in 1991, shortly after the M25 opened. The tunnels, which opened in 1963 and 1980 respectively, originally cost two shillings and sixpence to use. It is thought the charges were intended to be phased out when the construction costs were covered, but the charges have become a permanent fixture. More Trending People in the area have told Metro that when an incident blocks traffic at Dartford, the nearby local roads become mayhem with diverted vehicles navigating narrow roads. One resident said it is not uncommon to see huge lorries clogging up the village roads when Dartford traffic is diverted. In a bid to take pressure off the Dartford, National Highways wants to build a second crossing nearby, the Lower Thames Crossing. The £10 billion Lower Thames Crossing was awarded £590 million in government funding after the project was approved by planners. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: HS2 is delayed again – here's how much it is over budget MORE: Another e-bike brand is set to launch in London this summer MORE: Traffic delays on M25 after multi-vehicle crash
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
More than 2,000 disposable vapes seized in Kent after ban
More than 2,000 disposable vapes have been seized from five shops in Kent since the items were banned at the start of the month, Trading Standards from the agency in Kent visited more than 80 shops after the ban on 1 June which made it illegal for businesses to sell or supply disposable vapes, whether or not they contain Whiddett, Trading Standards operations manager, said initial visits had been a "mixed bag" with some following the ban and others needing more said follow-up inspections would be carried out to ensure shops continued to adhere to the ban and were arranging for any remaining stock to be recycled. Spot checks took place at a variety of retailers in all districts, with patrols in Thanet, Ashford and Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week. The agency said there were five separate seizures of illegal vapes, totalling 2,163 products. Toxic compounds Mr Whiddett said: "There was a small minority that decided to flout the ban."On day one of our operation, illegal products were seized and the shops were issued compliance notices and can expect a follow up in line with the requirements under the legislation."Under the new rules, vapes being sold must be reusable and have rechargeable batteries, replaceable coils and wadding, and be caught breaking the law in England face a minimum £200 fine, with a prison sentence of up to two years for repeat offences. Penalties are broadly similar in Scotland, Wales and Northern ban was introduced to tackle the environmental impact of disposable vapes, which included lithium-ion batteries which can leak toxic compounds if not disposed of also comes after a previous crackdown on illegal vapes which contained significantly higher levels of nicotine and other chemicals than was than six million illegal vaping products were seized by Trading Standards officers across England between 2022 and 2024, according to analysis by the BBC.
