Drivers issued urgent warning of massive £1,000 number plate fine ahead of new changes next week
Drivers are being warned of new number plate changes being introduced in the coming days which could see them slapped with hefty fines.
New “25” registration plates will be introduced across the UK from March 1st, marking a significant change for vehicle owners.
The update brings strict legal requirements, with motorists facing potential fines of up to £1,000 for non-compliance with regulations.
The change involves switching the “age identifier” – the two numbers in the middle of the plate – from “74” to “25”.
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This identifier system changes every six months to indicate a vehicle’s age, helping buyers and sellers quickly determine a car’s manufacturing period.
In keeping with tradition, the age identifier is changed in March and September. This year will see the rollout of “25” in the coming days and “75” on September 1.
The new plates come with updated DVLA regulations that all vehicle owners must follow to avoid penalties and MOT failures.
While number plates themselves don’t directly determine a car’s price, they serve as a clear indicator of vehicle age, which significantly influences market value.
Cars typically depreciate over time, with newer vehicles commanding higher prices and older models becoming more affordable.
Darryl Bowman, from Cuvva, explained: “Most cars depreciate over time, but if you look after yours, you can maintain as much value as possible for when you’re ready to sell.
“Regular maintenance and MOT checks are just some of the steps you can take to help slow your car’s depreciation.”
Vehicle owners must adhere to strict technical specifications for their number plates to remain compliant.
Front plates must display black characters on a white background, while rear plates require a yellow background, with all plates being reflective.
The standard Charles Wright font is mandatory, with characters measuring 79mm in height and 50mm in width, except for the number “1” or letter “I”.
Character thickness must be 14mm, with 11mm spacing between each character, while they can also feature raised 3D characters, approved flags, and a green flash for electric vehicles.
Dirty or obscured plates can result in fines, making regular cleaning an important part of vehicle maintenance.
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The DVLA maintains strict control over private number plates, regularly filtering out combinations deemed rude, offensive, or inappropriate.
Hundreds of potentially offensive combinations are banned each year to prevent embarrassment or cause offence.
Vehicle owners selecting personalised plates must ensure they meet DVLA standards, as non-compliance can result in both fines and the withdrawal of the plate.