24/04/2026 Parliamentary debate on DVLA and number plates

UK MPs recently held a debate lasting over an hour examining DVLA issues, focusing on illegal “ghost” number plates among other issues.

MPs from multiple parties agreed that DVLA systems and processes are inadequate, particularly highlighting the real-world impact on citizens.

Criticism of number plate system

  • Labour MP Sarah Coombes strongly criticised DVLA’s handling of number plates:
    • Said the UK system “looks absurd” compared to other countries
    • Warned it is “a public scandal waiting to happen”
    • Described “very serious systematic failings” in number plate regulation
    • Argued DVLA cannot effectively monitor \~35,000 registered suppliers
    • Highlighted that weaker controls enable the supply of illegal “ghost plates"

Concerns about illegal plates and enforcement

  • Conservative MP Jerome Mayhew
    • Said current penalties and enforcement approaches are insufficient
    • Described some penalties as “madness”
    • Warned cloned and ghost plates are used to support wider criminal activity
    • Called for stronger action targeting both supply and usage
  • Conservatives proposed tougher penalties:
    • Manufacturers/retailers: up to £100,000 fines and/or 5 years in prison
    • Drivers using false plates: driving bans (up to 2 years), prison (up to 1 year), and fines up to £5,000

Scale of the issue

  • Evidence cited in debate included:
    • 18,000 vehicles without registered keepers (via FOI request)
    • Significant unpaid fines:
      • Hackney Council: widespread non-payment issues
      • Sandwell Council: around one-third of fines unpaid in a year 

DVLA wider performance concerns

MPs raised broader doubts about DVLA capability:

  • Criticism from Cabinet Office, National Audit Office, and Public Accounts Committee
  • Concerns about handling:
    • Medical driving licences
    • Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) data and systems
    • Emerging technologies (EVs, self-driving vehicles)
  • DVLA described as: “Stubbornly analogue" in parts (Vicki Slade MP)

Government response

Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) Simon Lightwood

  • Stated that:
    • Over 84% of DVLA transactions are now completed online
    • Work is underway to improve services
  • On number plates:
    • Confirmed ghost plates are already illegal
    • Said enforcement is shared between DVLA, police, and Trading Standards
  • Spoke about:
    • Review of the Register of Number Plate Suppliers (RNPS)
    • Consideration of a new British Standard for plates
    • Exploration of technology to better detect illegal plates
    • Did not provide **clear timelines** for major reforms

Additional issues raised

  • MPs questioned:
    • When action will be taken on 3D and 4D plates, linked to illegal use
    • Timing of the next DfT roadside compliance survey (last conducted in 2023)
  • Multiple MPs supported calls for reform, emphasising that:
    • “Reform is not optional”
    • DVLA problems frequently appear in MPs’ casework

Overall takeaway

  • There is cross-party consensus that DVLA requires significant reform.
  • Particular urgency around:
    • Illegal number plates
    • Data integrity and enforcement
    • While government acknowledged issues, MPs criticised the response as lacking concrete action and timelines, leaving pressure for further reform.