Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the law in respect of ghost number plates.

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, including whether legislative changes are needed to strengthen the current regulatory and enforcement powers.

The DVLA is also considering options to ensure a more robust, auditable Register of Number Plate Supplier process, which would enable tighter checks on manufacturers and the number plates they supply.