The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has been told to "get a grip" on a growing crisis involving illegal 'ghost' number plates, with critics branding its enforcement efforts as woefully insufficient. The agency has sent more than 1,000 warning letters to registered number plate suppliers in 2025, but a Labour MP has warned this action "doesn't touch the side of what's needed" to tackle the problem on UK roads.
MP Condemns 'Number Plate Wild West'
Nicola Coombes, the Labour MP for West Bromwich, has led the criticism, accusing the DVLA of failing to control what she describes as a "number plate wild west." She argues that with over 34,000 registered suppliers on the DVLA's books, the current level of enforcement is completely inadequate.
"A robust number plate system is essential to ensure high levels of safety on our roads," Ms Coombes stated. She called for significant investment in more enforcement officers, stricter background checks on suppliers, and increased fees for those wishing to become registered plate providers.
Enforcement 'A Smattering of Officers'
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Transport Safety (APPG-TS) supported the MP's concerns, revealing the scale of the enforcement challenge. The group warned that the government agency has only a "smattering of officers travelling the length and breadth of the country" trying to uphold the law.
Their investigation found that rogue drivers can exploit weaknesses in the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system with ease. They are able to purchase illegal plates for less than £10 online with no questions asked, facilitating criminal activity and evading detection.
DVLA and Government Response
In its defence, a DVLA spokesman pointed to some successful prosecutions. "During 2025, the DVLA has supported Trading Standards and the police in the successful prosecution of 14 suppliers," the agency stated. These cases involved offences such as failing to keep proper records and not requesting the required documentation from buyers.
A Department for Transport spokesman emphasised that the government "won't tolerate illegal plates" that help criminals evade detection. They highlighted the existing strict laws requiring suppliers to be registered and buyers to provide robust identification.
"We're cracking down hard on rogue suppliers, working with police and Trading Standards," the spokesman added. Furthermore, a review is currently underway on number plate standards, which aims to ban the production of plates specifically designed to evade ANPR cameras.
Despite these assurances, the pressure is mounting on the DVLA to demonstrate a more effective and scalable strategy to combat the illegal trade, which undermines road safety and law enforcement across the nation.
