The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has issued a stern reminder that it's illegal to alter your number plates

Reg Plates Article

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has issued a stern reminder that it's illegal to alter your number plates

In anticipation of the new March changes, with the introduction of the "24" registration plates just around the corner, some motorists might be tempted to get ahead of the curve and modify their existing plates to reflect the new format. However, doing so could land you in hot water, with hefty fines of up to £1,000 on the table.

The DVLA is keen to ensure that all vehicles on the road are easily identifiable, and tampering with number plates, even in seemingly minor ways, can hinder this crucial task. This not only poses a safety risk but also makes it harder for law enforcement to track down vehicles involved in criminal activity.

So, what exactly constitutes "altering" a number plate? Here are some key points to remember:

Rearranging letters or numbers: This one's a no-brainer. Don't try to shuffle your registration around to make it appear like a "24" plate – it's illegal and easily detectable.
Using non-standard fonts or spacing: The DVLA has specific guidelines for the font and spacing of characters on number plates. Any deviation from these rules could render your plates invalid.
Adding decorative elements: Steer clear of stickers, gels, or any other embellishments that obscure or modify the appearance of your registration.
Tinting or dimming the background: The reflective background of number plates is essential for clear visibility, especially at night. Tampering with the reflectivity is a big no-no.
Remember, if your existing number plates are damaged, worn, or no longer meet the legal requirements, the only course of action is to get them replaced with new, standard plates from a reputable supplier. Trying to fix or modify them yourself is never a good idea.

The new "24" registration plates will be officially released on March 1st, 2024. If you're eager to get your hands on a fresh set, wait until then and do things the right way. It's simply not worth the risk of facing hefty fines and jeopardizing your vehicle's legal status.

In addition to the financial penalties, driving with illegal number plates could also lead to points on your driving license and even vehicle seizure. So, play it safe, follow the rules, and avoid any unnecessary headaches. Your car (and your wallet) will thank you for it!

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

List of approved number plate suppliers: https://www.gov.uk/number-plate-supplier

By staying informed and following the regulations, you can ensure that your vehicle is legal and safe to drive on the road. Let's all work together to keep our roads safe and our number plates squeaky clean!

How close a series of letters or numbers are to a real name of word: if the match quality is high (and the numbers and letters are very convincing in making a popular word), the value of the registration plate will be higher. This means that a match like 5IMON, for the name Simon, will be worth a lot more than a more obscure set of letters and numbers that are not as convincing a match, such as S17 MMM for the name Sam.

The style of the plate: this means establishing if it is a new-style plate, an older-style format or if it is dateless or Irish, for instance. Other options are that it is a prefix-style plate or a suffix-style plate. New-style number plates, which have been produced since 2001, tend to be the least valuable because they are a bit less appealing to some collectors, plus the rule about not having plates that are newer than your car can also come into play, putting people off from buying a newer-style plate for their older car. Prefix-style number plates, which were in production between 1983 and 2001 can be more popular as more vehicles are entitled to have those licence numbers, and they may have fewer characters in total. Suffix-style plates, issued from 1963 to 1983 are relatively rare, which means they can attract higher prices than prefix-style plates and newer designs. Dateless number plates, also known as cherished number plates, were produced between 1903 and 1963 and are nearly always the most valuable number plate configurations; they have fewer digits and their dateless nature means that people can hide the age of their car. Irish number plates are similar to dateless number plates, especially because they don’t have a year identifier. They also tend to be cheaper than other types of vehicle registration plates.

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