Concerns over the proliferation of illegal number plates, including “ghost” and cloned varieties, have prompted calls for significant changes in vehicle registration processes. A recent report highlights that lax regulations and unscrupulous sellers pose risks to national security and public safety.
Impact of Ghost Plates on Road Safety
Ghost plates, which are difficult to read due to reflective sprays or coatings, can evade automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. Researchers suggest that approximately one in every 15 vehicles might be utilizing such plates to remain undetected by law enforcement.
ANPR technology plays a critical role in identifying vehicles associated with criminal activities or lacking insurance. However, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Transport Safety (APPGTS) argues that simplistic methods, such as using cellophane or marker pens, can effectively obscure registration plates.
Problems with Current Regulations
- The APPGTS reported that some sellers of number plates operate from private homes without proper oversight.
- Many of these sellers have backgrounds involving fraud or violence.
- Cloned plates, which mirror other vehicles’ registrations, are also a major issue, enabling illegal activities.
APPGTS advocates for a substantial reduction in the current number of licensed plate sellers, from 34,455 to fewer, as a means to enforce higher standards and annual fees.
Calls for Higher Security Standards
Sarah Coombes MP, a member of the APPGTS, emphasized the urgent need to reform the system to prevent criminals from easily becoming number plate sellers. She stated, “This explosive report lays bare the threat posed by ghost and cloned plates.”
Additionally, Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, stressed that mitigating the widespread abuse of number plates is essential. “It’s vital we introduce new, higher security standards for number plates and those who produce them,” he remarked.
Government Response and Current Efforts
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) noted its efforts to maintain strict registration requirements for sellers. They collaborate with police and Trading Standards to enforce these regulations, with potential penalties of up to two years in prison for those found using illegal number plates.
A review of current number plate standards is underway, aiming to eliminate designs that can easily evade ANPR systems. The British Number Plate Manufacturers’ Association has expressed strong support for the recommendations laid out in the APPGTS report.
