In 2025, 11,402 drivers disputed fines after their cars were cloned, a 9% rise on 2024, highlighting weaknesses in UK number‑plate supply for dealers.

Reports of vehicle cloning reached a record in 2025, with 11,402 motorists contacting the DVLA to dispute fines they did not incur. The rise exposes gaps in the number‑plate supply chain and threatens dealers through increased customer complaints and potential reputational damage.

close-up of a duplicated vehicle registration plate used in cloning

Key takeaways

11,402 drivers disputed offences in 2025, a 9% increase on 2024.
Cloned plates often match the original vehicle's make, model and colour.
Illegal suppliers are not performing required identity and ownership checks.
Ghost plates are designed to foil roughly 18,000 ANPR cameras across the UK.
RAC urges tighter regulation and higher security standards for number‑plate producers.

Record levels and growth

The RAC obtained data showing 11,402 drivers challenged penalties linked to their vehicles in 2025. That figure is 9% higher than the 10,460 recorded in 2024.

Since 2018 the number of disputes has risen by 93%, up from 5,912 motorists who reported unauthorised fines that year.

How vehicle cloning affects motorists

Criminals copy a legitimate registration number and fit it to another car, often matching the make, model and colour. The cloned vehicle then receives speeding, parking or clean‑air‑zone fines that belong to the innocent owner.

Victims must contact the DVLA, provide evidence they were not at the location, and endure a lengthy appeals process while their reputation and insurance premiums may suffer.

Gaps in number‑plate supply checks

Legitimate plate suppliers must verify identity documents and proof of entitlement before issuing a replacement. The RAC says many illegal operators bypass these checks, allowing cloned plates to be produced and sold.

Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, warned that stricter enforcement of supplier obligations would make it harder for criminals to obtain forged plates.

Ghost plates and ANPR evasion

Ghost plates are specially crafted to avoid reading by Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras. With around 18,000 ANPR cameras recording roughly 90 million reads daily, these plates undermine speed‑limit and clean‑air‑zone enforcement.

A parliamentary report supported by the RAC suggested one in 15 vehicles could be using modified or non‑compliant plates, though the true scale is difficult to measure.

What this means for dealers

Dealers may face increased customer queries and disputes when cloned or ghost plates are used on vehicles they sell or service. Ensuring that replacement plates come from accredited suppliers can reduce exposure to fraud claims.

Staying informed about forthcoming regulatory changes and advising customers on proper plate verification will help protect dealer reputation and minimise costly investigations.

Frequently asked questions

How can dealers verify that a registration plate is genuine?

Dealers should request the original V5C document and compare the plate number with the vehicle’s VIN. They can also check the plate with authorised number‑plate suppliers, who must retain proof of identity and entitlement records for each issue.

What steps can dealers take to protect customers from cloned plate disputes?

Maintain records of plate replacement transactions, use only vetted suppliers, and advise buyers to inspect plate condition and security features. Promptly report any suspicious plates to the DVLA to aid investigations.

Are there any upcoming regulatory changes that will affect number‑plate suppliers?

The RAC reports that the government is reviewing tougher penalties for number‑plate offences and may introduce higher security standards for plate production. Dealers should monitor announcements from the DVLA and the Department for Transport for compliance requirements.