Ghost and cloned number plates are a growing threat, report warns

Widespread misuse of car number plates is creating serious risks for road users and national security, a new parliamentary report reveals. Researchers estimate that as many as one in 15 cars could be using plates designed to avoid detection by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.

Some ‘ghost plates’ use reflective coatings or illegally clone registration numbers, while avoiding ANPR cameras can sometimes require little more than cellophane, leaves, or a marker pen, according to the report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Transport Safety (APPGTS).

Misusing number plates isn’t just a minor offence: it can be linked to a range of criminal activities, from avoiding road charges and fines to more serious crimes such as drug trafficking and organised crime.

The report also points to major gaps in regulation. There are over 34,000 licensed plate sellers in the UK, many working from small workshops or even their homes, often without any background checks. In some cases, people selling plates and handling identity documents have criminal records for fraud or violence.

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There are a few recommendations APPGTS outlines in the report to tackle this:

• Reducing the number of licensed plate sellers and introducing annual fees.
• Raising production standards, including banning 3D and 4D plates.
• Standardising plate design to improve security and prevent tampering.

“This explosive report lays bare the threat posed by ghost and cloned plates,” said Labour MP Sarah Coombes, a member of APPGTS. “It’s totally wrong that people can commit terrible crimes and then sell number plates with no questions asked. The Government must act immediately.”

Meanwhile, RAC head of policy Simon Williams said that ghost and cloned plates have no place on our roads. “We need higher security standards for plates and those who produce them, to protect road safety and national security.”

The British Number Plate Manufacturers Association supports the report’s recommendations, while we’ve approached the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for comment.

So, how can drivers protect themselves?

Here are some quick tips and tricks to help you navigate this growing issue:

1. Make sure your number plate meets current legal standards – reflective, with no tampering.
2. Only buy number plates from licensed, reputable sellers. Avoid private or unverified sources.
3. If you see a plate that looks altered, duplicated, or tampered with, report this to the local authorities.
4. Keep your V5C logbook and ID safe to reduce the risk of cloning.
5. Follow government or motoring association advice on number plate regulations and updates.

With ghost and cloned plates on the rise, we urge you to stay vigilant and ensure your own vehicles are properly registered and traceable.

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