The DVLA has banned 210 offensive ’25’ number plates as those looking to get the freshest registration may not be able to get what they want. Brits often look to purchase new cars when the latest number plates are released in March and September but the DVLA has prohibited a selection of number plate combinations due to their potential for causing offence.
Mark Trimbee, chief executive at Regtransfers, pointed out that the DVLA bans certain letter and number combinations to avoid offensive plates finding their way onto UK roads.
He said: “It’s always entertaining to see some of the plates deemed inappropriate by the DVLA, but there are also those that remind us why this is a necessary process.”
“Personalised number plates are an excellent form of self-expression, but they shouldn’t be used to display genuinely harmful messages or views.”, reports the Express.
The DVLA has barred no less than 210 plates with many of them using the number 5 as a substitute for the letter S to spell explicit words. The list includes plates such as ‘**25LUT’, ‘**25HAG’, and ‘**25HAT’. Other problematic registrations spell out offensive terms with numbers embedded, like ‘AA25HOL’, ‘BA25TAD’, and ‘FA25NNY’.
Additionally, plates that could be seen as intimidating, such as ‘**25TAB’ and ‘GB25KLL’, have also been withdrawn. Furthermore, to respect sensitivity regarding global conflicts, the DVLA has made sure no number plates could be purchased that reference these events.
Number plates referencing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, such as ‘**25RUS’ and ‘**25UKR’, have been banned. The DVLA has also removed registrations that hint at Middle East tensions, like ‘GA25ZAA’, and those with a more general war theme, including ‘YS25WAR’ and ‘EU25BOM’.
These restrictions aren’t just for new cars; they apply to anyone considering a private plate for their current vehicle too. Other rules ensure that the registration is clearly visible to all road users and ANPR cameras.
To be compliant, plates must be reflective, white at the front, yellow at the back, and free from any patterns that could obscure the characters. If a number plate doesn’t meet these standards, the owner could face fines up to £1,000, MOT failure, and three points on their licence.