New data has revealed that thousands of motorists are fined yearly for number plate offences. Number plate experts made a Freedom of Information request to police forces across England and Wales, with 30 out of 43 responding.
The data they shared showed that around 14,000 drivers were prosecuted for VRM (vehicle registration mark) offences each year during both 2021 and 2022.
The total number is likely close to 20,000 a year if the 13 forces that didn’t respond to the FOI request are factored in at the same average levels.
Offences include breaches such as incorrect font, spacing or tinting on front or rear number plates – sometimes both.
They also include offences such as driving without a number plate or having one obscured by mud to the point where it is unreadable.
The figures will also include some motorists who have been fined for having the light out on their number plate, making it illegible in darkness.
Of the 14,000 annual offences, around 6,000 each year were in London, with the Met reporting 5969 in 2021 and 5739 in 2022.
Jake Smith, Director at Absolute Reg, said the numbers made uneasy reading for those with private number plates.
He said: “There are thousands of cars on the roads with number plates altered to create something unique.
“Many of these are tinted or use a different font design to make the car stand out.
“But if the police decide the number plate doesn’t conform to the rules, a fine could be issued.
“Our advice to drivers is simply to conform to the rules of the road and not to be tempted to customise their number plate to the point where it could land them a fine.”
To find out more about the rules of the road when it comes to number plates, please visit:
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