The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is examining four areas to strengthen checks on number plates and their suppliers, the Government has confirmed. The move follows a consultation on introducing penalty points and vehicle seizure for using incorrect, altered or false number plates, which closed on 11 May.
Justin Madders, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Transport, revealed the review in a written response to a parliamentary question from Julian Lewis, Conservative MP for New Forest East. Lewis asked what measures the department would take to tackle false or unreadable number plates, specifically regarding increasing penalties, including number plate verification in MOT tests, requiring criminal record checks for suppliers, and supplying police with detection equipment and training.
Government response to number plate crime
Madders said: "The Government recognises the impact of number plate crime and is committed to addressing this issue. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) works closely with police forces and the National Police Chiefs' Council to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime."
He pointed to the Road Safety Strategy published on 7 January 2026, which set out the Government's vision for safer roads. As part of that strategy, the Department for Transport is reviewing motoring offences and has sought views on introducing penalty points and vehicle seizure for being in charge of a vehicle with an incorrect, altered or false number plate.
MOT test already includes visual plate check
A visual inspection of a vehicle's number plate is already part of the MOT test, Madders confirmed. The test checks front and rear plates for security, legibility, visibility and legal conformity. The consultation responses are now being considered by the department.
The DVLA is also considering options to make the Register of Number Plate Supplier process more robust and auditable. This would enable tighter checks on suppliers and the plates they supply. Options being considered include reviewing fees, scheme structure, resources and funding.
Police support and new technology trials
The DVLA offers support and training for police forces on the illegal display and supply of number plates. In addition, the Department for Transport is funding a new National Roads Policing Coordination Centre, which brings together police forces from across England to share intelligence, improve collaboration and make better use of data.
Its work includes stepping up enforcement against illegal number plates and trialling new technology to help detect plates designed to evade cameras. The four areas under examination are penalties, MOT test inclusion, supplier background checks, and police detection equipment and training.
