The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is pushing for significant new powers to confiscate vehicles as part of a major government offensive against illegal 'ghost' number plates. The proposed measures aim to end what officials describe as a 'number plate Wild West', where reflective plates are used to evade law enforcement.
What Are the Proposed New Powers?
Under the plans currently under consultation, the DVLA and police would be granted enhanced authority to immediately seize vehicles found to be using illegal or 'invisible' registration plates. These plates are specifically designed to foil Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras used by police and for toll collection.
In a further escalation of penalties, the Department for Transport is also considering whether to introduce penalty points on driving licences for offenders. This would be in addition to the existing financial fines, creating a more serious deterrent for motorists tempted to use the deceptive plates.
A Public Consultation and Wider Safety Drive
A formal public consultation on these tougher penalties has been launched and is open for contributions. The consultation period will run until 31 March 2026, giving stakeholders and the public a chance to feed into the decision-making process.
This crackdown forms a key part of a landmark new Road Safety Strategy. The strategy's core objective is to reduce road fatalities by tackling the so-called 'fatal four' driving offences: speeding, drink and drug driving, seatbelt neglect, and mobile phone use at the wheel.
Campaign Success and Targeting Criminal Activity
The government's move follows a determined campaign led by West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster and Sarah Coombes MP. They have long argued that ghost plates enable criminals to operate 'under the radar', avoiding detection for more serious crimes.
Officials have stressed that there is 'no good reason' for any law-abiding driver to use a ghost plate. The overarching goal of the new strategy is to ensure that no driver is above the law and to close a loophole exploited by those seeking to avoid accountability.
The proposed changes signify a robust attempt to modernise enforcement and keep pace with technology used to circumvent it, marking a potential turning point in UK road safety and vehicle compliance.
