Yes, you can certainly be fined or prosecuted if your number plate is dirty, damaged, or incorrectly spaced. The police take this quite seriously because automated number plate recognition cameras, toll systems, and regular witnesses need to be able to read your registration mark clearly.
The legal position:
In England and Wales, the law is very strict about how number plates must be displayed. Under the road vehicle display regulations, your number plate must be kept clean, undamaged, and clearly visible at all times.
The letters and numbers must also be a specific size, shape, and colour, and they must be correctly spaced. You cannot use custom fonts, alter the spacing to make the letters spell a word, or place fixing screws in a way that changes how a character looks.
The consequences:
If your number plate falls short of the rules, there are several things that can happen.
1. You could be stopped by the police and issued with an on-the-spot Fixed Penalty Notice, which is currently £100.
2. If the matter is more serious or you challenge it and it goes to court, you could face a maximum fine of up to £1,000.
3. Your vehicle will instantly fail its MOT test if the plates are illegal, missing, damaged, or obscured.
4. If you have a private registration plate and deliberately display it with incorrect spacing, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has the power to permanently withdraw the registration number from you without offering any refund.
Practical next steps:
It is always best to avoid the risk of a fine. Here is what you can do to keep things in order.
1. Give your number plates a quick wipe down regularly, especially during the winter months, after it snows, or after driving on muddy country roads.
2. Check your plates for cracks, fading, or peeling reflective backing. If they are damaged and hard to read, it is time for a new set.
3. If you need new plates, make sure you order them from a registered number plate supplier. You can find approved suppliers on the official government website. You will need to take your vehicle logbook and proof of your identity with you when you go.
4. If you have just bought a vehicle and noticed the previous owner altered the spacing to make a word, get the plates replaced immediately so they meet the legal standard before you drive it.
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