Latest news with #BritishNumberPlateManufacturersAssociation
Daily Record
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Lawyer's verdict on 'staggeringly simple' speed camera number plates on sale 'it is no defence'
Nick Freeman, motoring lawyer to the stars, says that the 'ghost number plates' could leave drivers open to a prison sentence A motoring law expert warned a driver pondering the purchase of a specialised sheet designed to obscure number plates from speed cameras that they might risk imprisonment. Nick Freeman, known as Mr Loophole for defending high-profile celebrities in driving cases, weighed in on the subject. An enquiry from a reader of The Times brought attention to an online advert for a unique transparent overlay for car number plates, purported to evade detection by various cameras. They expressed: "I saw advertised online a transparent sheet you can attach over your car's number plates. Its manufacturer claims it can thwart speed, red light and police ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras. It was being sold on a popular shopping site. You can apparently buy a spray that does the same thing, or get plates made with the coating already in place. But it occurs to me that it may not be legal to use. Can you advise?". Nick Freeman, better known as the solicitor Mr Loophole, has raised his voice against 'ghost number plates,' which have been described as 'staggeringly simple' yet effective in dodging fines for traffic offences. These number plates use a reflective finish that blocks identification by police cameras. The British Number Plate Manufacturers Association (BNMA), which represents the bulk of UK plate producers, is calling for stricter industry regulation. In a recent letter to the Government, the BNMA highlighted concerns about unregistered suppliers not adhering to DVLA standards, leading to an increase in 'ghost plates' and cloning, where plates show identical registrations to other vehicles. In response to the question from a reader, Mr Freeman emphasised the legal risks involved: "These are all illegal and you run the risk of committing the serious criminal offence of attempting to pervert the course of justice. This is in addition to having number plates that fail to comply with the strict specifications regarding visibility and reflectivity imposed by the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001." He further warned: "Obscuring a plate, whether deliberately or inadvertently owing to dirt or road grime, is an offence under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994. The latter offence involves a fine and the plate being deemed invalid. However, if there is an intention to avoid the consequences of your driving, the offence of attempting to pervert the course of justice can be tried only in the Crown Court and typically involves a custodial sentence. "It is no defence to suggest that you purchased the item online and were told it was legal. My advice to anyone who buys one would be to return it and request a refund. I think they would be successful as I very much doubt the company concerned would welcome police attention or the attendant adverse publicity." Michael Flanagan, chairman of the British Number Plate Manufacturers Association, said last month: "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. "Motorists deserve to know they are buying a legal, compliant number plate from a legitimate supplier. Now is the time for Government to tighten the regulations." Labour MP for West Bromwich, Sarah Coombes, is advocating for harsher penalties for those caught with 'ghost plates', proposing an increase from the current £100 fine and no penalty points to a minimum fine of £1,000 and six penalty points. She commented: "Dodgy number plates are no longer a fringe issue. They're everywhere and they're undermining the rule of law on our roads. "I know this Government is committed to making our roads safer for everyone. Tightening the law on number plates will be a huge step in the right direction." A DVLA spokesperson emphasised the importance of lawful display of number plates, stating: "DVLA is committed to ensuring all number plates are displayed correctly and legally. We work with the police and Trading Standards to take action against suppliers who do not comply with the law." They added that a responsible seller would always verify identity and documents: "A legitimate supplier will always ask to see ID and entitlement documents before selling a number plate. Where this doesn't happen, members of the public can report this directly to their local Trading Standards." Professor Fraser Sampson, the former Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, has previously highlighted how surprisingly easy it is to thwart ANPR systems, calling the methods 'staggeringly simple'.
Glasgow Times
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
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… — Good Morning Britain (@GMB) June 3, 2025 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."
Powys County Times
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Powys County Times
RAC warn millions of UK drivers over number plate fault
The Government is being urged to clamp down on the rise in availability of illegal number plates. 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… — Good Morning Britain (@GMB) June 3, 2025 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. "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.
South Wales Guardian
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Guardian
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… 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."
Rhyl Journal
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Rhyl Journal
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… 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."
