Number Plate Fines UK: Can You Get Points or a Fine for an Illegal Plate?
Quick Answer
Driving with an illegal number plate in the UK can result in a fine of up to £1,000. You will not get penalty points, but the plate will fail an MOT. Buy from a DVLA-registered supplier like Car Plates Pro to ensure your plates are fully compliant.
Driving with an illegal number plate in the UK can result in a fine of up to £1,000. It can also cause your vehicle to fail its MOT and, in some circumstances, lead to your car being seized. This guide explains exactly what the penalties are, what triggers them, and how to make sure your plates are fully legal.
What is the penalty for an illegal number plate?
Under the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001, the fixed penalty for a non-compliant number plate is up to £1,000. This is a civil penalty issued by the police, DVSA, or local council enforcement officers.
Unlike speeding or running a red light, illegal number plates do not currently attract penalty points on your licence. The penalty is financial only. However, if your plate is deliberately obscured or altered to evade detection, prosecutors can pursue more serious charges under the Road Traffic Act.
Do you get penalty points for an illegal number plate?
No. A standard number plate offence does not result in penalty points on your driving licence. Points are reserved for moving traffic offences. That said, if a plate is deliberately altered to frustrate ANPR cameras, police have powers to pursue charges that could carry points or disqualification.
What makes a number plate illegal?
The most common reasons a plate fails to comply with BS AU 145e and attracts a fine include:
- Wrong font (anything other than Charles Wright 2001 at the correct 79mm height)
- Incorrect spacing between characters or groups
- Tinted, smoked, or coloured plate covers
- Non-reflective background material
- Missing or obscured supplier details on the reverse
- Plates supplied by a non-DVLA-registered supplier
For a full breakdown, see our guide on what makes a number plate illegal in the UK.
Can a number plate fine affect your MOT?
Yes. Non-compliant plates will cause a direct MOT failure. MOT testers are required to check that plates meet BS AU 145e on every test. See our guide on what MOT testers check on number plates.
Can police seize your car for an illegal number plate?
In most cases, no. The standard enforcement is a fine and a requirement to display legal plates. However, if a plate is deliberately falsified to evade detection, vehicle seizure becomes possible under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
How to avoid a number plate fine
The simplest way to avoid any penalty is to buy your plates from a DVLA-registered number plate supplier. Registered suppliers are legally required to verify your identity, check entitlement to the registration, and manufacture plates to BS AU 145e standard. Every plate comes with the supplier’s RNPS code printed on the reverse as proof of compliance.
Car Plates Pro is DVLA-registered and every plate is BS AU 145e certified, built from 5mm acrylic with Charles Wright 2001 font and exact legal spacing. Order your replacement plates here from £6.99, same-day dispatch on orders before 2PM.
Summary
Illegal number plates carry a fine of up to £1,000 but no penalty points. An MOT failure is automatic if plates are non-compliant. Always buy from a DVLA-registered supplier to stay road-legal. Order from Car Plates Pro — road-legal plates from £6.99.