Drivers In Euro Plate Scam

British motorists are driving around in cars with foreign number plates in a bid to dodge speeding and parking fines, Auto Express can reveal.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Mat Watson

13th December 2004

We learned about the scam via a tip-off from a reader. He alerted us to the fact some criminals were using cheap used cars bought on the Continent to get immunity from roadside cameras and traffic wardens. But is it really possible? We spoke to the West Midlands Safety Camera Partnership and discovered it is. Amazingly, it told us it doesn't issue tickets for speeding motors if they are registered overseas. A spokesman said sometimes the details may be transferred to the national police database, but only if the operator thinks the vehicle looks suspicious. Otherwise, the information is simply deleted.

It can be just as difficult for local authorities to enforce parking penal-ties on foreign cars. A spokesman for Westminster in London said it tried to pursue every fine, but that this was "a lot more complicated" to chase on those linked to cars from abroad.

Of course, speeders in foreign-plated vehicles are still at risk of being caught by traffic police. However, insurance claims expert Phil Swift from Kent-based Claims Management and Adjusting Ltd explained: "Due to the language barrier and the fact officers can't issue on-the-spot fines, in my opinion they are more likely to overlook minor traffic offences."