Watermarked Plates On Trial

They're on bank notes and posh stationery - and soon they could appear on car number plates. What are we talking about? Watermarks.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Mat Watson

07th April 2004

The move is being considered by the Government as part of tough new measures to improve registration plate security. Auto Express has seen high-level consultation documents, which include several proposals designed to crack down on car crime. Other ideas include electronic tagging and special tamper-proof materials.

Dave Warren, from the DVLA's vehicle crime group, said: "There is widespread support for greater number plate security. We will be checking the shortlisted ideas to ensure their benefits outweigh any burdens on business, enforcement authorities or Government."

Currently, there is no restriction on the manufacture of licence plates, and materials to make them are easily available. Introducing watermarks would allow the DVLA to monitor their production closely and make it harder for criminals to forge them. There has been a massive increase in number plate theft in recent years, sparked by the use of police cameras that can read them and check if the vehicle is taxed and insured.

Installing plates with an electronic identity tag is expected to make it easier for police to spot stolen vehicles. Also being considered is printing the date of manufacture on the plastic, which could help end vehicle cloning, too.

Other suggestions which weren't shortlisted by the DVLA include the use of hyphens to prevent mis-spacing of numbers, bar coding - a less sophisticated form of tagging - and displaying the car's make and model on the plate.