Drivers are being urged to make important checks to number plates.

It comes ahead of the launch of new licence plates later this month.

Cleaning and  customising

Leasecar.uk have warned Brits could be slapped with a £1000 fine and failed MOT if found to be driving with illegal plates.

This month the new 2023 age identifier will be introduced on the number plates of new cars. This is the first licence plate change of the year.

It will display ‘23’ to signify the beginning of the year. In September the identifier will change to ‘73’ to show cars registered in the second half of 2023.

These updates to number plates serve as an important reminder to Brits to check their registrations. There are plenty of rules around number plates, with the law changed in September 2021.

The rules

Number plates fitted after 1st September 2021 must only show solid black lettering. This helps ANPR cameras clearly identify vehicles on the roads.

It means that any vehicle with reflective effects or different shades on their number plates, could be subject to a fine of £1000.

Drivers should also ensure the number plate is clean and easy to read – as even small amounts of dirt could mean having an illegal plate.

According to the DVLA, licence plates can also not have a background pattern, and need to be marked with a British Standard number.

Number plates are legally allowed to include raised characters, display flags and national identifiers or a green flash on zero emission vehicles.

The letters or numbers cannot be rearranged or be altered to make it hard to read, as these motorists will be driving with an illegal plate and be subject to hefty fines and failed MOTs.

Clear advice

“The new 2023 age identifiers are due to be rolled out this month,” says Tim Alcock at Leasecar.uk.

“Even having a small amount of dirt on the plates could risk it being classed as illegal”.

The DVLA makes it clear all number plates need to be clean and easy to read, and its important drivers old and new understand the importance of this.

Alcock also highlights the need for appropriate styles, “pure solid black letting – no reflective or shaded characters are allowed”.

While the law allows official national flags, they “cannot be on the number plate margin and they cannot be more than 5cm wide.

“We’re urging all drivers in the UK to make sure their number plates are within the words of the law, else they could end up with an expensive fine and be forced to change their licence plate.”