Since 2001 the supply and specification of vehicle Number Plates has been regulated by law. The exact character font, colour,spacing,margins and even materials used in the production of a number plates are controlled by legislationion . Suppliers must also collect proof of I.D. and entitlement to the registration number concerned and every supplier must be registered with DVLA. However there were two big loopholes in the legislation in that it did not apply to N.Ireland or Scotland and also it was possible to supply non-conforming number plates by calling them show plates ( not for use on the public highway ).
It seems that these loopholes are about to be closed by extending the legislation to N.Ireland and Scotland ( at present it is possible to order just about anything from N.Ireland suppliers via the internet) and also by marking so called show plates conspicuously so that anyone using a show plate on the highway will be highly visible.The DVLA have published a consultation paper which is downloadable from their website and interested parties can make a response to the proposals contained in the paper.
It seems highly likely that these new measures will be introduced as the recent success tracking suspected terrorists has demonstrated how powerful the ANPRS ( Automatic Number Plate Recognition System ) can be in the fight against terrorism. It also will of course help with the detection of vehicles which are not taxed or insured.Both of which are commendable enough reasons for the introduction of these reforms.
It is not clear if these further measures will be sufficient to stamp out the use of false plate in major crimes and terrorism , they maybe enough to stop cruisers driving around with illegal plates but the really dangerous criminals and terrorists are almost certainly more tenacious than these offenders.
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