DVLA 3 times changed new license plates for cars – is yours breaking the law?

The DLVA has rolled out three key changes to UK license plates as the new 2022 batch is introduced – here’s what you need to know, including how to check if your old license plate is infringing. break the law or not?

The DVLA has announced a number of changes to the design of number plates as the new 2022 registration batch rolls out in the UK.

The changes are designed to make the plates more resistant to wear and tear, as well as easier to track with monitoring equipment.

So while the release of the new number ’22’ may be exciting for those who want to let the world know what their new car is like, others may worry that the changes could make their old license plate illegal.

The 22 new license plates will still incorporate changes made to registrations in 2021.

The new number plates meet the British Standard for Reflective Number Plates and will be the standard number plate “BS AU 145e”.

What changes have been made to license plates?

The new panels are made from a stiffer material that is more resistant to damage and wear, a technology first introduced in September 2021.

Read on to learn about the big changes to how discs will look from 2022.

Alphabet

One of the biggest changes that might get everyone’s attention is that all discs must now display solid black text following a ban on effects that give plates a 3D-like appearance.

Lettering on plates will still be allowed in turmeric or acrylic, as long as all other criteria are met.

The main reason for the change is that the ANPR system (Automatic License Plate Recognition System Can Read License Plate) can get the license plate more easily.

Locate

New signs will also need to show the name of the business that provided them and its postal code.

It will also need to display the license plate manufacturer’s name.

The Express reports that this has raised concerns that license plate checks would become much easier without the vehicle’s owner’s permission.

New identifier

Another big change that might be a bit more obvious is that discs will now have Union Jack on the side, instead of the EU flag.

They will now also read ‘UK’ instead of ‘GB’ to reflect the UK’s departure from the European Union.

Drivers who fail to properly display their number plates can face heavy fines.

The DVLA says: “The license plate (also known as the license plate) must accurately represent your registration number.

“You cannot rearrange letters or numbers, or change them to make them difficult to read.

“You can be fined up to £1,000 and your car will fail the MOT test if you drive with the wrong number plate displayed.”

How do license plate codes work?

New plates are released every six months, with a new batch of ’72’ due to be released in September 2022.

The first two letters of the license plate reflect where the vehicle was registered. For example, license plate LA – LY means that the vehicle is registered in London.

The numerals three and four reflect the year the vehicle is registered, with the system set to run until February 2051.