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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
DVLA bans hundreds of number plates ahead of new 74-reg's being released – full list that could land you with a £1k fine
THE DVLA has banned hundreds of new number plates set to be released with the upcoming '75' registration in September – and displaying one could cost you dearly. But before the plates hit the roads, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has already blocked a large number of combinations it deems unsuitable. Advertisement 2 Political and socially sensitive messages have also been blocked Why the DVLA blocks plates twice a year Each year, in March and September, the DVLA carries out a biannual review of upcoming plate sequences. Any combinations that risk causing offence, embarrassment, or outrage are swiftly removed from circulation. This is part of the DVLA's ongoing efforts to ensure the UK's roads remain free from controversial or inappropriate messages. Why the '5' in '75' is causing trouble Carwow, an automotive advice site, has compiled a list of the Advertisement Read more on Motors The '75' series has proved particularly challenging, as the number '5' can resemble an 'S', opening the door to potentially vulgar, suggestive, or aggressive wording. Banned plates include sexual, political and offensive terms Plates such as 'BO75 OCK', 'BL75 JOB', and 'DR75 NKY' have been rejected due to their sexual connotations. Others, like 'TO75 ERR', were considered inappropriate because of how they could be interpreted when viewed on the road. Political and socially sensitive messages have also been blocked. Advertisement Most read in Motors Combinations like 'EU75 WAR' and 'NO75 LAB' were seen as referencing contentious or divisive issues. Alfa Romeo forced to make design change by new number plate law 'NO75 LEZ' was similarly removed, thought to be a dig at low-emission zones, which are still a topic of heated debate in some parts of the country. Sexual innuendos have once again triggered red flags with the DVLA. Examples like 'PE75 RVS', 'TE75 CLE', and 'PR75 TIT' were deemed too crude or potentially offensive to allow through. Advertisement Carwow's Head of Editorial, Iain Reid, explained the thinking behind the vetting process. He said: 'Personalised plates are always a source of creativity – and sometimes controversy. "Every release brings a wave of cheeky, clever, and occasionally questionable suggestions that the DVLA has to sift through. "While most are light-hearted, it's important the system filters out anything that could cause genuine offence. Advertisement "With each new series, it's fascinating to see where the line is drawn.' Still, not all personalised plates are seen as problematic. The DVLA continues to auction off unique and playful combinations that are clean, clever, or in high demand. Many of these can fetch hundreds or even thousands of pounds, depending on popularity and desirability. Advertisement Some of the more entertaining and acceptable plates coming up include 'GR75 AMG', which is likely to appeal to Mercedes enthusiasts. Another is 'MU75 CLE', which could be a hit with muscle car fans or fitness buffs. Then there's 'RO75 COE', a fun nod to Formula One lovers who follow Lewis Hamilton — his bulldog is famously called Roscoe. But drivers should be aware: using or modifying a plate to appear like one of the banned examples — even by adjusting spacing, font or layout — can land you in serious trouble. Advertisement What makes a number plate illegal Under DVLA rules, number plates in the UK must follow strict design and display standards. They must use the Charles Wright 2001 font, which is a specific typeface required by law. The spacing between letters and numbers must be consistent, and any attempts to alter the layout to spell names or words are illegal. Plates also need to be reflective, with a white background at the front and yellow at the back. Advertisement They must be rectangular and mounted properly on the vehicle. Decorative shapes, tinted colours or unusual arrangements are not allowed. A plate without the proper British Standard mark, or one that displays non-approved flags or logos, can also be classed as illegal. Acceptable flags include the Advertisement What happens if you're caught with one? If a vehicle is found with illegal plates, the consequences can range from a fixed penalty notice all the way up to the car being seized. The maximum fine is £1,000. In some cases, the car may fail its Police can also issue a Vehicle Defect Rectification Notice, giving the driver 14 days to fix the issue and present proof. If ignored or if the offence is serious enough, officers have the power to seize the car immediately. Advertisement That comes with a hefty price tag — a £200 release fee, plus £20 for each day the car is kept in storage. There's also a growing concern over plate cloning. Criminals can duplicate a legitimate plate to commit crimes or avoid charges like speeding tickets. Victims of this fraud often find themselves having to prove they weren't involved, which can be a stressful and time-consuming ordeal. Advertisement The Sun has approached DVLA for comment. Banned '75' number plates revealed – full list of rude or offensive registrations 75 HAG • 75 LAG • 75 LUT • 75 PAZ • 75 TAB • AA75 LAH • AA75 RSE • AF75 GAT • AF75 GTT • AF75 GUT • AH75 OMO • AJ75 HAD • AP75 OFF • AP75 SUP • AR75 RSE • AR75 YAN • AS75 BJX • AS75 EXX • AS75 FKT • AS75 FUL • AS75 FWC • AS75 GAY • AS75 HAT • AS75 HOL • AS75 JOY • AS75 LWT • AS75 OLE • AS75 RUB • AS75 WNK • AU75 WTS • AU75 WTZ • BA75 ARD • BA75 ERD • BA75 HTT • BA75 SHT • BA75 TAD • BA75 TRD • BA75 TTD • BA75 TUD • BF75 TED • BJ75 BAD • BJ75 EXX • BJ75 EXY • BJ75 GUD • BJ75 HAT • BJ75 HOT • BJ75 LOB • BJ75 LSD • BJ75 NOB • BJ75 STD • BO75 DED • BO75 DTH • BO75 GAY • BO75 LSD • BO75 NOB • BU75 DCK • BU75 DKS • BU75 EXE • BU75 EXS • BU75 EXX • BU75 EXZ • BU75 FKT • BU75 GAY • BU75 HTE • BU75 LSD • BU75 NOB • BU75 SHT • CO75 DED • CO75 DTH • CR75 PLE • CR75 PPL • CU75 DCK • CU75 DKS • CU75 DYK • CU75 FGM • CU75 FWF • CU75 GAY • CU75 MUF • CU75 NOB • CU75 PRC • CU75 PRK • CU75 VAG • CU75 VAJ • CU75 YOU • DA75 FKT • EA75 BOY • EA75 BUT • EA75 DCK • EA75 DKS • EA75 DYK • EA75 DYE • EA75 FWF • EA75 GAL • EA75 GAY • EA75 GRL • EA75 HER • EA75 HTT • EA75 JUW • EA75 LAD • EA75 LEZ • EA75 LSD • EA75 MAM • EA75 MEE • EA75 MEN • EA75 MLF • EA75 MME • EA75 MOT • EA75 MUF • EA75 NAN • EA75 NOB • EA75 POO • EA75 PWP • EA75 SHT • EA75 VAG • EA75 VAJ • EA75 MUM • EU75 BAD • EU75 BOM • EU75 FWC • EU75 GON • EU75 HTR • EU75 ODS • EU75 ODZ • EU75 OFF • EU75 OUT • EU75 SHT • EU75 WAR • EU75 YES • FA75 DCK • FA75 DKS • FA75 DYC • FA75 DYK • FA75 EXX • FA75 FKT • FA75 FWF • FA75 GAT • FA75 GTS • FA75 GTT • FA75 GUT • FA75 NOB • FA75 PRC • FA75 PRK • FA75 PUS • FA75 RSE • FA75 SHT • FA75 VAG • FA75 VAJ • FA75 WAH • FF75 TED • FK75 AKE • FK75 EXE • FK75 EXX • FK75 EXY • FK75 HAT • FK75 LAM • FK75 LOB • FK75 REL • FK75 VAJ • GA75 AJU • GA75 BOM • GA75 BOY • GA75 CMP • GA75 DED • GA75 DTH • GA75 GAY • GA75 HER • GA75 JEU • GA75 JUD • GA75 KLL • GA75 NAS • GA75 NAZ • GA75 OVN • GA75 SED • GA75 SSD • GA75 UUU • GA75 UUX • GA75 YOU • GA75 ZAA • GA75 ZAX • GB75 BAD • GB75 BOM • GB75 DED • GB75 DWN • GB75 FKT • GB75 GNG • GB75 GUN • GB75 HTR • GB75 KLL • GB75 KLR • GB75 KLS • GB75 MOB • GB75 SHT • GB75 WAR • GE75 BJS • GE75 BJX • GE75 BJZ • GE75 BOM • GE75 DCK • GE75 DED • GE75 FKT • GE75 FWC • GE75 GAY • GE75 GUN • GE75 HOT • GE75 JEU • GE75 JUW • GE75 KYK • GE75 LEZ • GE75 LGB • GE75 LSD • GE75 NGR • GE75 NGZ • GE75 PAK • GE75 PKY • GE75 PUS • GE75 STD • GE75 VAG • GE75 VAJ • GO75 BLO • GO75 BOM • GO75 FKT • GO75 FWF • GO75 GAY • GO75 GUN • GO75 HOT • GO75 JEU • GO75 JUW • GO75 KLR • GO75 KLS • GO75 KYK • GO75 LEZ • GO75 LSD • GO75 NGR • GO75 NGZ • GO75 PAK • GO75 PKY • GO75 REL • GO75 SHT • GO75 STD • GO75 VAG • GO75 VAJ • GO75 WAR • GY75 POS • HE75 HEE • HE75 HES • HE75 HEX • HE75 HEZ • HH75 NAZ • HH75 OMO • HH75 TLR • HO75 AGE • HO75 BJS • HO75 BJX • HO75 BJZ • HO75 DCK • HO75 EXE • HO75 EXX • HO75 FKS • HO75 FWC • HO75 FWF • HO75 UCA • HO75 UCC • HO75 UCX • HO75 UKK • HO75 VAG • HO75 VAJ • JJ75 HAD • JU75 CMP • JU75 NAS • JU75 NAZ • JU75 OVN • KL75 HOT • KL75 REL • KN75 FED • KN75 FER • KN75 FES • KN75 FEU • KN75 FEX • KN75 FEY • KN75 VED • KN75 VES • KN75 VEU • LE75 BJX • LE75 BOS • LE75 BOZ • LE75 KLL • LE75 LSD • LE75 SHT • LE75 ZAA • LE75 ZAR • LE75 ZAS • LE75 ZAX • LE75 ZAZ • LE75 ZBO • LE75 ZER • LE75 ZRR • LE75 ZRS • LE75 ZZA • LE75 ZZR • LO75 DED • MO75 EST • MP75 GUN • MP75 HOT • MU75 DER • NA75 TZE • NA75 ZEE • NA75 ZZE • NF75 NAZ • NF75 XRW • NG75 NOG • NO75 ANE • NO75 LAM • NO75 LEZ • NO75 REL • NU75 ACK • NU75 BJS • NU75 BJX • NU75 BJZ • NU75 DCK • NU75 FKT • NU75 FUL • NU75 JOB • NU75 NOB • NU75 RUB • NU75 SAC • NU75 SAK • NU75 STD • NU75 UCZ • NU75 UKK • NU75 UKS • NU75 UKZ • NU75 VAG • NU75 VAJ • OR75 ASM • PA75 NOB • PA75 PUS • PA75 VAG • PA75 VAJ • PE75 ADO • PE75 DCK • PE75 KLL • PE75 KLR • PE75 MUF • PE75 NOB • PE75 RVT • PE75 VRT • PM75 HOT • PP75 OFF • PP75 SED • PP75 SER • PP75 SSS • PP75 SUP • PR75 CCK • PR75 CKK • PR75 CKS • PS75 CHO • PU75 SYY • RE75 ARD • RE75 TRD • RO75 NOB • RO75 STD • RO75 VAG • RO75 VAJ • SH75 HOT • SH75 TSS • SH75 TTR • SH75 TTS • SH75 TTT • SH75 TTY • ST75 ABB • ST75 ABS • ST75 ABU • ST75 ABX • ST75 ABZ • SU75 CDE • TH75 SHT • TO75 DCK • TO75 DED • TO75 DKS • TO75 DTH • TO75 DYK • TO75 DYE • TO75 FKT • TO75 GAY • TO75 HOT • TO75 KLL • TO75 LSD • TO75 MDR • TO75 NOB • TO75 PRC • TO75 PRK • TO75 VAG • TO75 VAJ • TR75 DRG • TR75 LSD • TR75 MAC • TR75 MAK • TR75 POT • TT75 RUB • TT75 WNK • UA75 RSE • UB75 TCH • UF75 TED • UP75 LAM • UP75 LSD • UP75 REL • UP75 SED • US75 HAT • US75 WAR • UU75 HAT • VA75 GNA • WE75 BJS • WE75 BJX • WE75 BJZ • WE75 EXX • WE75 FWF • WE75 MUF • WE75 NOB • WE75 POT • WE75 PRC • WE75 PRK • WE75 PUS • WE75 VAG • WE75 VAJ • WO75 FKT • XA75 RSE XF75 TED • YB75 TCH • YE75 MEN 2 Sexual innuendos have once again triggered red flags with the DVLA Credit: Alamy
The Sun
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
DVLA bans hundreds of number plates ahead of new 74-reg's being released – full list that could land you with a £1k fine
THE DVLA has banned hundreds of new number plates set to be released with the upcoming '75' registration in September – and displaying one could cost you dearly. But before the plates hit the roads, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has already blocked a large number of combinations it deems unsuitable. 2 Why the DVLA blocks plates twice a year Each year, in March and September, the DVLA carries out a biannual review of upcoming plate sequences. Any combinations that risk causing offence, embarrassment, or outrage are swiftly removed from circulation. This is part of the DVLA's ongoing efforts to ensure the UK's roads remain free from controversial or inappropriate messages. Why the '5' in '75' is causing trouble Carwow, an automotive advice site, has compiled a list of the plates barred from use this time around. The '75' series has proved particularly challenging, as the number '5' can resemble an 'S', opening the door to potentially vulgar, suggestive, or aggressive wording. Banned plates include sexual, political and offensive terms Plates such as 'BO75 OCK', 'BL75 JOB', and 'DR75 NKY' have been rejected due to their sexual connotations. Others, like 'TO75 ERR', were considered inappropriate because of how they could be interpreted when viewed on the road. Political and socially sensitive messages have also been blocked. Combinations like 'EU75 WAR' and 'NO75 LAB' were seen as referencing contentious or divisive issues. 'NO75 LEZ' was similarly removed, thought to be a dig at low-emission zones, which are still a topic of heated debate in some parts of the country. Sexual innuendos have once again triggered red flags with the DVLA. Examples like 'PE75 RVS', 'TE75 CLE', and 'PR75 TIT' were deemed too crude or potentially offensive to allow through. Carwow's Head of Editorial, Iain Reid, explained the thinking behind the vetting process. He said: 'Personalised plates are always a source of creativity – and sometimes controversy. "Every release brings a wave of cheeky, clever, and occasionally questionable suggestions that the DVLA has to sift through. "While most are light-hearted, it's important the system filters out anything that could cause genuine offence. "With each new series, it's fascinating to see where the line is drawn.' Still, not all personalised plates are seen as problematic. The DVLA continues to auction off unique and playful combinations that are clean, clever, or in high demand. Many of these can fetch hundreds or even thousands of pounds, depending on popularity and desirability. Some of the more entertaining and acceptable plates coming up include 'GR75 AMG', which is likely to appeal to Mercedes enthusiasts. Another is 'MU75 CLE', which could be a hit with muscle car fans or fitness buffs. Then there's 'RO75 COE', a fun nod to Formula One lovers who follow Lewis Hamilton — his bulldog is famously called Roscoe. But drivers should be aware: using or modifying a plate to appear like one of the banned examples — even by adjusting spacing, font or layout — can land you in serious trouble. What makes a number plate illegal Under DVLA rules, number plates in the UK must follow strict design and display standards. They must use the Charles Wright 2001 font, which is a specific typeface required by law. The spacing between letters and numbers must be consistent, and any attempts to alter the layout to spell names or words are illegal. Plates also need to be reflective, with a white background at the front and yellow at the back. They must be rectangular and mounted properly on the vehicle. Decorative shapes, tinted colours or unusual arrangements are not allowed. A plate without the proper British Standard mark, or one that displays non-approved flags or logos, can also be classed as illegal. Acceptable flags include the Union Jack, Cross of St. George, Scottish Saltire and Welsh Dragon. What happens if you're caught with one? If a vehicle is found with illegal plates, the consequences can range from a fixed penalty notice all the way up to the car being seized. The maximum fine is £1,000. In some cases, the car may fail its MOT due to plate issues, meaning the driver is forced to replace it to get back on the road. Police can also issue a Vehicle Defect Rectification Notice, giving the driver 14 days to fix the issue and present proof. If ignored or if the offence is serious enough, officers have the power to seize the car immediately. That comes with a hefty price tag — a £200 release fee, plus £20 for each day the car is kept in storage. There's also a growing concern over plate cloning. Criminals can duplicate a legitimate plate to commit crimes or avoid charges like speeding tickets. Victims of this fraud often find themselves having to prove they weren't involved, which can be a stressful and time-consuming ordeal. The Sun has approached DVLA for comment. Banned '75' number plates revealed – full list of rude or offensive registrations 75 HAG • 75 LAG • 75 LUT • 75 PAZ • 75 TAB • AA75 LAH • AA75 RSE • AF75 GAT • AF75 GTT • AF75 GUT • AH75 OMO • AJ75 HAD • AP75 OFF • AP75 SUP • AR75 RSE • AR75 YAN • AS75 BJX • AS75 EXX • AS75 FKT • AS75 FUL • AS75 FWC • AS75 GAY • AS75 HAT • AS75 HOL • AS75 JOY • AS75 LWT • AS75 OLE • AS75 RUB • AS75 WNK • AU75 WTS • AU75 WTZ • BA75 ARD • BA75 ERD • BA75 HTT • BA75 SHT • BA75 TAD • BA75 TRD • BA75 TTD • BA75 TUD • BF75 TED • BJ75 BAD • BJ75 EXX • BJ75 EXY • BJ75 GUD • BJ75 HAT • BJ75 HOT • BJ75 LOB • BJ75 LSD • BJ75 NOB • BJ75 STD • BO75 DED • BO75 DTH • BO75 GAY • BO75 LSD • BO75 NOB • BU75 DCK • BU75 DKS • BU75 EXE • BU75 EXS • BU75 EXX • BU75 EXZ • BU75 FKT • BU75 GAY • BU75 HTE • BU75 LSD • BU75 NOB • BU75 SHT • CO75 DED • CO75 DTH • CR75 PLE • CR75 PPL • CU75 DCK • CU75 DKS • CU75 DYK • CU75 FGM • CU75 FWF • CU75 GAY • CU75 MUF • CU75 NOB • CU75 PRC • CU75 PRK • CU75 VAG • CU75 VAJ • CU75 YOU • DA75 FKT • EA75 BOY • EA75 BUT • EA75 DCK • EA75 DKS • EA75 DYK • EA75 DYE • EA75 FWF • EA75 GAL • EA75 GAY • EA75 GRL • EA75 HER • EA75 HTT • EA75 JUW • EA75 LAD • EA75 LEZ • EA75 LSD • EA75 MAM • EA75 MEE • EA75 MEN • EA75 MLF • EA75 MME • EA75 MOT • EA75 MUF • EA75 NAN • EA75 NOB • EA75 POO • EA75 PWP • EA75 SHT • EA75 VAG • EA75 VAJ • EA75 MUM • EU75 BAD • EU75 BOM • EU75 FWC • EU75 GON • EU75 HTR • EU75 ODS • EU75 ODZ • EU75 OFF • EU75 OUT • EU75 SHT • EU75 WAR • EU75 YES • FA75 DCK • FA75 DKS • FA75 DYC • FA75 DYK • FA75 EXX • FA75 FKT • FA75 FWF • FA75 GAT • FA75 GTS • FA75 GTT • FA75 GUT • FA75 NOB • FA75 PRC • FA75 PRK • FA75 PUS • FA75 RSE • FA75 SHT • FA75 VAG • FA75 VAJ • FA75 WAH • FF75 TED • FK75 AKE • FK75 EXE • FK75 EXX • FK75 EXY • FK75 HAT • FK75 LAM • FK75 LOB • FK75 REL • FK75 VAJ • GA75 AJU • GA75 BOM • GA75 BOY • GA75 CMP • GA75 DED • GA75 DTH • GA75 GAY • GA75 HER • GA75 JEU • GA75 JUD • GA75 KLL • GA75 NAS • GA75 NAZ • GA75 OVN • GA75 SED • GA75 SSD • GA75 UUU • GA75 UUX • GA75 YOU • GA75 ZAA • GA75 ZAX • GB75 BAD • GB75 BOM • GB75 DED • GB75 DWN • GB75 FKT • GB75 GNG • GB75 GUN • GB75 HTR • GB75 KLL • GB75 KLR • GB75 KLS • GB75 MOB • GB75 SHT • GB75 WAR • GE75 BJS • GE75 BJX • GE75 BJZ • GE75 BOM • GE75 DCK • GE75 DED • GE75 FKT • GE75 FWC • GE75 GAY • GE75 GUN • GE75 HOT • GE75 JEU • GE75 JUW • GE75 KYK • GE75 LEZ • GE75 LGB • GE75 LSD • GE75 NGR • GE75 NGZ • GE75 PAK • GE75 PKY • GE75 PUS • GE75 STD • GE75 VAG • GE75 VAJ • GO75 BLO • GO75 BOM • GO75 FKT • GO75 FWF • GO75 GAY • GO75 GUN • GO75 HOT • GO75 JEU • GO75 JUW • GO75 KLR • GO75 KLS • GO75 KYK • GO75 LEZ • GO75 LSD • GO75 NGR • GO75 NGZ • GO75 PAK • GO75 PKY • GO75 REL • GO75 SHT • GO75 STD • GO75 VAG • GO75 VAJ • GO75 WAR • GY75 POS • HE75 HEE • HE75 HES • HE75 HEX • HE75 HEZ • HH75 NAZ • HH75 OMO • HH75 TLR • HO75 AGE • HO75 BJS • HO75 BJX • HO75 BJZ • HO75 DCK • HO75 EXE • HO75 EXX • HO75 FKS • HO75 FWC • HO75 FWF • HO75 UCA • HO75 UCC • HO75 UCX • HO75 UKK • HO75 VAG • HO75 VAJ • JJ75 HAD • JU75 CMP • JU75 NAS • JU75 NAZ • JU75 OVN • KL75 HOT • KL75 REL • KN75 FED • KN75 FER • KN75 FES • KN75 FEU • KN75 FEX • KN75 FEY • KN75 VED • KN75 VES • KN75 VEU • LE75 BJX • LE75 BOS • LE75 BOZ • LE75 KLL • LE75 LSD • LE75 SHT • LE75 ZAA • LE75 ZAR • LE75 ZAS • LE75 ZAX • LE75 ZAZ • LE75 ZBO • LE75 ZER • LE75 ZRR • LE75 ZRS • LE75 ZZA • LE75 ZZR • LO75 DED • MO75 EST • MP75 GUN • MP75 HOT • MU75 DER • NA75 TZE • NA75 ZEE • NA75 ZZE • NF75 NAZ • NF75 XRW • NG75 NOG • NO75 ANE • NO75 LAM • NO75 LEZ • NO75 REL • NU75 ACK • NU75 BJS • NU75 BJX • NU75 BJZ • NU75 DCK • NU75 FKT • NU75 FUL • NU75 JOB • NU75 NOB • NU75 RUB • NU75 SAC • NU75 SAK • NU75 STD • NU75 UCZ • NU75 UKK • NU75 UKS • NU75 UKZ • NU75 VAG • NU75 VAJ • OR75 ASM • PA75 NOB • PA75 PUS • PA75 VAG • PA75 VAJ • PE75 ADO • PE75 DCK • PE75 KLL • PE75 KLR • PE75 MUF • PE75 NOB • PE75 RVT • PE75 VRT • PM75 HOT • PP75 OFF • PP75 SED • PP75 SER • PP75 SSS • PP75 SUP • PR75 CCK • PR75 CKK • PR75 CKS • PS75 CHO • PU75 SYY • RE75 ARD • RE75 TRD • RO75 NOB • RO75 STD • RO75 VAG • RO75 VAJ • SH75 HOT • SH75 TSS • SH75 TTR • SH75 TTS • SH75 TTT • SH75 TTY • ST75 ABB • ST75 ABS • ST75 ABU • ST75 ABX • ST75 ABZ • SU75 CDE • TH75 SHT • TO75 DCK • TO75 DED • TO75 DKS • TO75 DTH • TO75 DYK • TO75 DYE • TO75 FKT • TO75 GAY • TO75 HOT • TO75 KLL • TO75 LSD • TO75 MDR • TO75 NOB • TO75 PRC • TO75 PRK • TO75 VAG • TO75 VAJ • TR75 DRG • TR75 LSD • TR75 MAC • TR75 MAK • TR75 POT • TT75 RUB • TT75 WNK • UA75 RSE • UB75 TCH • UF75 TED • UP75 LAM • UP75 LSD • UP75 REL • UP75 SED • US75 HAT • US75 WAR • UU75 HAT • VA75 GNA • WE75 BJS • WE75 BJX • WE75 BJZ • WE75 EXX • WE75 FWF • WE75 MUF • WE75 NOB • WE75 POT • WE75 PRC • WE75 PRK • WE75 PUS • WE75 VAG • WE75 VAJ • WO75 FKT • XA75 RSE XF75 TED • YB75 TCH • YE75 MEN 2
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
DVLA hands out 464 'bans' in major crackdown on UK cars ahead of big change
The DVLA has banned a series of number plates that were set to be released in September, with the 75 plate having a number of banned combinations for being too rude As we gear up for the new '75' registration plate coming into effect from September 1, the DVLA has clamped down on a series of number plates it considers too saucy for British streets. Among the banned combinations are 'BO75 OCK', 'BL75 JOB' and 'DR75 NKY'. The DVLA conducts a biannual clean-up operation in March and September to weed out any number plate combinations that might cause a stir or offence. The no-go list includes references to violence, drugs, crime, discrimination, political stances, explicit language, or anything that could be seen as embarrassing or inflammatory. Carwow 's head of editorial, Iain Reid, said: "Personalised plates are always a source of creativity - and sometimes controversy. "Every release brings a wave of cheeky, clever, and occasionally questionable suggestions that the DVLA has to sift through." He added: "While most are light-hearted, it's important the system filters out anything that could cause genuine offence. With each new series, it's fascinating to see where the line is drawn." Carwow's rundown of prohibited plates shows that the '5' in '75' is particularly troublesome this time, as it resembles an 'S', leading to the vetoing of risque, suggestive or unsuitable combinations like 'BO75 OCK', 'BL75 JOB', 'DR75 NKY' and 'TO75 ERR', reports Birmingham Live. Plates with politically or socially sensitive connotations have also been given the boot, such as 'EU75 WAR' – hinting at international strife, 'NO75 LAB' – indicating a jab at a political party, and 'NO75 LEZ' – targeting low-emission zones. Several plates that hint at sexual innuendo or slang were also turned down, including 'PE75 RVS', 'TE75 CLE', 'PR75 TIT'. Mark Trimbee, CEO of Regtransfers, added: "These bans ensure that number plates on the road aren't those that could be translated into something offensive, inflammatory, insulting, obscene or otherwise problematic." As explained by the banned number plates aim to prevent drivers from breaking the rules and facing hefty fines up to £1,000 for not meeting the standards. For first-time offenders, a warning gets issued, giving the driver up to 14 days to rectify the issue. Serious offences can lead to the registration being confiscated and, in some worst cases, failing the MOT or even seizing the car. The DVLA also auctions desirable combinations of numbers and letters that form nicknames, phrases or initials - with the bidding kicking off from £250. This follows an Oasis number plate gaining popularity in light of the reunion tour. The DVLA has confirmed it has prohibited a total of 464 combinations from the 75 series.
Auto Express
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
If electric car buyers thought they were confused, they ain't seen nothing yet
If you've ever tried reading up on quantum-string theory or simultaneously solving three Rubics cubes while also attempting to juggle, you'll have at least some idea of the brain-scrambling confusion faced by UK electric-car buyers over recent years. Range anxiety, the chip shortage, depreciation, battery life, environmental impact, charging infrastructure, the ICE ban, the ZEV mandate and, of course, government grants - the electric car space has been a storm of complex issues, conflicting advice, and wild opinions. Advertisement - Article continues below Consumers who quite like the idea of an EV have been faced with an almost-weekly reason to seriously doubt that they'd be making the right decision. Meanwhile, the world wonders why the uptake of electric cars by private buyers has been less than spectacular. Ready to make the switch to an electric car? Our nationwide dealer network has thousands of EVs on offer right now with new, used and leasing deals to choose from... There is no doubt that prices for new electric cars were way too high a few years ago, but back then the global microchip shortage meant manufacturers were able to sell every EV they could build. Popular models had long waiting lists. Today, that situation has reversed. The ZEV mandate makes selling EVs a priority, so discounts and incentives were rife in the market even before the manufacturers got the Electric Car Grant they've been crying out for. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Could the new grant be a watershed moment that clears the uncertainty and means more consumers can confidently buy the EV they've been wanting? Yes, and no. There's more choice than ever with some truly outstanding products and prices falling. But the road to going electric remains a confusing one to navigate. It will become clear which cars qualify for which level of EV grant on 11 August, but we've already seen manufacturers that may not make the cut matching the grant with their own discounts. And just because a car is cheaper thanks to a government grant, won't always guarantee it's a good deal. Many EVs on our Find a Car service had discounts bigger than £4,000 before the grant was even announced. To track the latest EV deals, our parent company, Carwow is running a live hub page. Advertisement - Article continues below There are other big questions to answer as well. What will these subsidies of new electric car purchases do to used car values? How will the cost and availability of charging impact life with an electric car over the coming years? Will further advances in EV tech make today's models quickly seem outdated, as has happened to older electric cars? Here at Auto Express we are big fans of EVs and huge advocates of helping consumers make the best car-buying decisions. As ever, you'll find lots of answers to the big electric questions, but we will always strive to give you the informed insight you can trust. Today is a great time to buy an EV, but you must research and shop around to secure yourself the best deal on the right car. Public charging is very expensive, but if you don't do many miles it can work. Yet if you can charge at home there are big savings to be made over an equivalent petrol car. EV tech will continue to advance but pricing levels are equalising with petrol cars, warranties are long and battery failures are rare. Electric-car depreciation has stung a lot of people but the market for used models should settle down, and means there are big bargains to be had on the second-hand market. More than anything though, most people will love owning today's fast, quiet, long-range and easy-to-use electric cars. They're good enough to make a little confusion worthwhile. Find a car with the experts Dacia's baby EV due in 12 months with a tiny £15k price tag Dacia's baby EV due in 12 months with a tiny £15k price tag Dacia's new model will be developed in double-quick time, and it'll be built in Europe to avoid China tariffs MG4 and MGS5 EV prices slashed in reply to Government Electric Car Grant MG4 and MGS5 EV prices slashed in reply to Government Electric Car Grant In order to boost sales, MG is announcing its own a £1,500 grant for some of its EVs Renault will 'stick to the plan' as it hits number 2 in Europe Renault will 'stick to the plan' as it hits number 2 in Europe Renault has no plans to fight Volkswagen for sales supremacy, despite huge growth in EV sales due to new Renault 5
Sky News
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Sky News
The £60m shift: How Carwow and Airwallex are redefining trust in online car sales
When the team at London-headquartered Carwow launched their daily online auctions in 2021, they solved one half of the automotive marketplace equation: connecting private car sellers with trusted dealers through a digital platform. But as transaction volumes grew, reaching over £3 billion in sales, a critical experience gap emerged in their otherwise streamlined process. "Payments were happening off-platform," explains Will Morgan, Head of Product at Carwow. "Dealers were manually transferring funds. Sellers were waiting for confirmations. Clearing finance took time and paperwork. It created risk, frustration, and delay." The solution would fundamentally reshape how high-value transactions work in digital marketplaces. By embedding Airwallex's financial infrastructure directly into their platform as a white labelled solution, Carwow has - in just a matter of weeks - moved over £60 million in transactions into a unified digital flow. And in doing so, created a blueprint for how embedded finance can transform traditional industries. The Hidden Engine of Digital Trust For most dealers, payments represent the most vulnerable moment in any online transaction. In automotive sales, where average transaction values run into thousands of pounds, this anxiety intensifies dramatically. Traditional banking processes amplify these concerns: manual transfers introduce delays, off-platform payments create tracking difficulties, and fragmented systems leave both buyers and sellers uncertain about transaction status. "We asked ourselves: What's the best way for us to build trust on both sides of the transaction?" says Will Morgan, Head of Product at Carwow. "What if the entire transaction--from auction to payment--could all happen inside the Carwow platform?" The answer lay not in improving existing payment processes, but in reimagining them entirely. Rather than directing dealers to external banking systems, Carwow would create an integrated financial layer that operated seamlessly within their existing user experience. Engineering Seamless Transactions The technical implementation reveals why embedded finance represents more than incremental improvement. Through Airwallex's infrastructure, Carwow created digital wallets that operate entirely within their platform ecosystem. Dealers can fund purchases, trigger payments, handle negative equity settlements, and clear finance arrangements without ever leaving Carwow's interface. For sellers, the transformation is equally significant. Instead of waiting for manual bank transfers and chasing payment confirmations, they receive immediate transaction updates through Carwow's existing communication channels. The entire process--from successful auction to payment completion--operates as a single, auditable digital flow. "It's not just operationally smoother," Morgan notes. "It's structurally different. We've taken a fragmented process and turned it into a single, secure digital journey--from start to finish." Proving the Business Case The partnership's impact extends beyond user experience improvements. Since implementation earlier this year, over £60 million in transactions that previously occurred through external banking systems are now processed through Carwow's integrated platform, according to data provided by Carwow. The company reports a 52% year-over-year increase in revenue from its auction platform, and a 103% increase in dealer offers placed, suggesting embedded payments unlock broader marketplace engagement. "The early uptake has been substantial," Morgan observes. "We've moved high-value transactions that used to happen off-platform into our secure, instant system--at considerable scale." This volume represents more than operational efficiency gains. By maintaining transaction oversight throughout the entire process, Carwow can provide enhanced transparency, faster dispute resolution, and improved regulatory compliance--benefits that compound as transaction volumes increase. The Embedded Finance Advantage Immy Spence, VP Commercial EMEA at Airwallex, positions the Carwow integration within a broader industry transformation. "We're seeing disruptor platforms increasingly embed financial services to create seamless, trusted, and verticalised experiences that were previously unimaginable with traditional banking methods." The approach addresses fundamental marketplace challenges that extend well beyond automotive sales. Whether in travel booking, e-commerce transactions, or B2B wholesale operations, the principle remains consistent: embedded financial infrastructure can eliminate friction points that traditional banking systems cannot adequately address. For Carwow's 20,000 monthly vehicle listings and network of trusted dealers, embedded payments provide competitive differentiation in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Dealers experience faster stock acquisition cycles, while sellers benefit from immediate payment confirmation--advantages that encourage continued platform usage. Lessons for Digital Marketplaces The Carwow-Airwallex partnership highlights broader principles applicable across digital marketplace operations. High-value transactions, in particular, benefit from embedded financial infrastructure, where trust concerns and payment delays create significant user friction. Traditional payment processes--characterised by platform exits, manual procedures, and fragmented user experiences--represent structural obstacles to marketplace growth rather than mere operational inefficiencies. Embedded finance solutions address these challenges at the architectural level, creating integrated experiences that feel native to the platform rather than bolted-on additions. "This isn't just a feature--it's a new foundation," Morgan explains. "We've redefined our car-changing experience. It's simpler, safer, and built for a modern, digital automotive marketplace." The Infrastructure Behind Innovation The technical capability that enables such integration represents a significant shift in financial services architecture. Airwallex's embedded finance solutions allow platforms to offer banking-grade security and regulatory compliance while maintaining complete control over user experience design and transaction flows. This infrastructure approach enables platforms like Carwow to compete more effectively against traditional automotive sales channels by offering superior transaction experiences. Rather than directing users to external systems that dilute brand engagement, embedded solutions keep transactions within the platform ecosystem while meeting all regulatory requirements. Scaling Digital Trust As Carwow approaches £100 million in embedded transaction volume, according to company data, their experience suggests embedded finance may become standard infrastructure for high-value digital marketplaces. The combination of enhanced user experience, improved operational efficiency, and stronger regulatory oversight creates compelling business advantages that traditional payment processing cannot match. For marketplace operators across industries, the Carwow case study demonstrates how embedded financial infrastructure can transform operational challenges into competitive advantages. By eliminating friction points that users previously accepted as inevitable, platforms can create differentiated experiences that drive increased engagement and transaction volumes. The automotive sector's digital transformation continues accelerating, but Carwow's embedded finance implementation suggests the most significant innovations may occur not in vehicle technology, but in the financial infrastructure that makes digital car sales possible at scale.
