The Department for Transport gives update on new government proposals which could see an increase in penalty points on driving licences and cars being seized
Minister Justin Madders said the government is considering introduction of penalty points and vehicle seizure for the offence of being in charge of a motor vehicle with an incorrect, altered or false number plate (Image: Parliament TV)
The Department for Transport has issued an update regarding MOT tests and fresh government proposals, which could result in increased penalty points on driving licences and the immediate seizure of vehicles. In a recent parliamentary intervention, an MP questioned whether number plate verification could become a mandatory component of the MOT test.
This follows the government’s consideration of tougher penalties for a range of offences — including the use of ‘ghost’ number plates designed to evade speed cameras and ANPR technology. The Department for Transport is weighing up stricter sanctions for several violations — amongst them, failing to hold a valid MOT, driving uninsured, cases where a vehicle’s owner cannot be identified, and the use of ‘ghost’ or cloned number plates.
Police forces and road safety organisations have raised concerns with ministers that certain offences carry insufficient consequences, such as penalty points or vehicle confiscation.
Tory MP Sir Julian Lewis put the following question to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander: “What steps she will take to help tackle the use of vehicle number plates which are (a) false or (b) unreadable by automatic number plate recognition technology, with regard to (i) increasing penalties for (A) using and (B) supplying such plates, (ii) including number plate verification as a component of MOT tests, (iii) requiring number plate suppliers to be subject to criminal record checks and other background screening, and (iv) supplying police forces with appropriate detection equipment and training.”
In response, Justin Madders, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, confirmed that the DfT is examining feedback on Road Safety Strategy proposals to toughen penalties.
In his latest statement yesterday (7 September), he said: “The Government recognises the impact of number plate crime and is committed to addressing this issue. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) works closely with police forces and the National Police Chiefs’ Council to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime.”
“In its Road Safety Strategy published on 7 January 2026, the Government set out its vision for a safer future on our roads for all. As part of this, the Department for Transport is reviewing motoring offences and has sought views on the introduction of penalty points and vehicle seizure for the offence of being in charge of a motor vehicle with an incorrect, altered or false number plate. The consultation closed on 11 May and responses are being considered.
“A visual inspection of a vehicle’s number plate is already included as part of the MOT test. The test checks front and rear number plates for security, legibility, visibility and legal conformity.”
“The DVLA is also exploring measures to establish a more stringent, auditable Register of Number Plate Supplier system, enabling stricter oversight of number plate suppliers and their products. Potential changes under review include examining fees, scheme structure, resources and funding arrangements.
“The DVLA offers support and training for police forces on the illegal display and supply of number plates. In addition, the Department for Transport is funding a new National Roads Policing Coordination Centre, which brings together police forces from across England to share intelligence, improve collaboration and make better use of data. Its work includes stepping up enforcement against illegal number plates and trialling new technology to help detect plates designed to evade cameras.”
It comes as a new nationwide crackdown on illegal number plates will target drivers who dodge fines and organised crime gangs as the Department for Transport (DfT) funds a new roads policing team.
The National Roads Policing Coordination Centre (NRPCC) will bring together police forces from around England to share intelligence, improve collaboration and make better use of data.
This includes trialling new technology, for example, specialised goggles that can detect number plates where criminals have tried to make them unreadable by cameras.
Illegal number plates are often used for criminal activity to evade speeding, parking or clean air zone penalties and are frequently used for organised crime, including moving illegal goods on the road network.
Within the Road Safety Strategy, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Transport explained the proposals aimed to cut road deaths and serious injuries – while ensuring officers possess suitable powers reflecting the gravity of such offences.
In her consultation foreword, she stated: “In 2024, there were 1,602 deaths on our roads – an average of around 30 a week, or 4 to 5 per day. There were also 27,865 serious injuries on our roads. Although the UK has some of the safest roads in the world, these figures remain far too high, and this government does not accept that these deaths and serious injuries are inevitable.
“With the number of UK road deaths having plateaued since 2010, it’s clear that strong, decisive action is long overdue. The government recognises the need to take action now to reduce casualties and damage on our roads. There is no silver bullet of one measure that will drastically reduce road death. Real progress will come when a range of measures work together, systematically and consistently, towards a common goal.”
The policy examines several key areas, encompassing drink and drug driving, medical fitness to drive – including mandatory vision tests for those aged over 70 and non-compliance with seatbelt regulations. One aspect under scrutiny concerns incidents that may justify harsher penalties.
The consultation noted: “Police and road safety groups have told the government they are concerned that some offences do not carry extra penalties, such as penalty points or vehicle seizure.”
These include offences related to:
- a vehicle’s roadworthiness (no MOT)
- where no current keeper is identifiable
- incorrect, altered or false number plates that prevent justice from being done
The policy suggests the change is necessary as criminals are exploiting legal loopholes. It explained: “It’s harder for police to identify who is using a vehicle because some offenders go to great lengths to hide who owns it or who was driving – this makes it harder for the police to keep the public safe and pursue offenders.
“There is a significant amount of evidence of disguising a vehicle’s true ownership to avoid compliance with vehicle excise duty requirements and other payment requirements for the use of certain roads. This places an additional burden on those law-abiding drivers when revenue shortfall to the treasury due to fraud has to be made up.
“The police currently have the powers to seize a vehicle from those driving whilst uninsured, or not in accordance with their driving licence. The use of this power has to be proportionate and allows police to use their discretion not to seize where they feel that is an appropriate decision based on the merits of each situation.”