Key facts
- Over 11,400 drivers reported unrecognized fines last year due to cloned number plates.
- Complaints about misattribution increased 9% from 2024 and nearly doubled since 2018.
- Drivers using incorrectly displayed plates can be fined up to £1,000.
- The government is investing in a new roads policing team and technology to combat illegal plates.
The number of "cloned" vehicles involved in offences on UK roads has reached a record high, according to official data analyzed by the RAC. Last year, over 11,400 drivers contacted the DVLA after receiving fines for offenses they claimed they did not commit, with most cases attributed to number plate cloning. This represents a 9% increase from 2024 and nearly double the figure from 2018. The RAC highlighted that an outdated and poorly regulated system makes it easier for fraudulent plates to be sold, allowing drivers to evade detection and enforcement cameras. Concerns also exist regarding "ghost" plates designed to be unreadable by ANPR cameras. The Department for Transport has announced a new crackdown, investing in a dedicated roads policing team and new technology to combat illegal plates and support victims.