Drivers across the country may be fined £1,000 by making a simple number plate mistake, an expert has warned. As over 30 million cars are on UK roads, many drivers likely don’t think twice about the plates once they are fitted. 

However, a small mistake could end up costing hefty fines. A number plate must be clean, clearly visible, and follow the official format. If it’s too dirty to read, cracked, peeling, or has incorrect spacing or fonts, it could be classed as illegal – and that’s where the fine comes in.

If any motorists driving with unclean or obscured number plates are caught on Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, they face a fine of up to £1,000 and three points on their licence, reports Number 1 Plates.

Former police officer Pete Nelson, 48, spent nearly two decades on traffic patrol and says this is one of the most common reasons people are stopped.

He said: “You’d be amazed how many drivers I pulled over simply because of a plate that was hard to read – and most of them had no idea it was a problem. One man had wiped his whole car spotless but forgot the plate, which was covered in thick road salt. That alone could get you a fine. It might seem small, but it’s a legal requirement.”

Mr Nelson also explained that spotting plates that had been deliberately altered with black tape or screw caps to change the look of the letters – something he says is treated seriously.

He said: “Changing a plate to make it look like another number or name? That’s asking for trouble. Not only can it lead to a £1,000 fine, it can also get your car flagged for further checks.”

A spokesperson from Number 1 Plates said: “Many drivers don’t realise that something as small as a dirty or damaged plate can lead to a fine of up to £1,000. The rules are there to make sure your plate is always readable – for police, cameras, and safety reasons. If your plate is cracked or unreadable, get it replaced straight away. It’s a simple fix that avoids a major penalty.”