UK Plate Crooks Go Deutsch

In issue 836, we revealed how easy it is to buy number plates illegally over the Internet, and also how cars with foreign registrations are getting away with driving offences in the UK.

Auto Express Car Reviews

05th January 2005

But there's a new twist affecting both stories - we've found crooks here can get foreign plates online. We're not publishing the website details for security reasons, but the firm will supply plates featuring any numbers and letters. A tiny disclaimer warns they're 'for show use only', but as we revealed in our original story, that means nothing in law.

The company also offers 'authentic European number plates', which can be specified with any letter or number combination, as well as Germany's distinctive regional badge and tax disc. A DVLA spokesperson said: "Should such a plate be displayed on a UK-registered car, the owner would be guilty of an offence under 1994's Vehicle Excise and Registration Act." They could be fined up to ΂£1,000.