Number plate cloning spikes by nine per cent
Number plate cloning in the UK was up by nine per cent last year, according to the DVLA.
It has reported that 11,394 motorists reported that their licence place had been cloned in 2025, up from 10,463 the previous year and a 54% increase on the 7,377 reports in 2020.
Number plate cloning is when a fraudster copies the number plate of a registered vehicle and attaches it to their own car.
Any driving offences they commit, such as speeding or parking illegally, is then attributed to the innocent driver.
Road Safety Strategy
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said: “The rise in drivers having their plates cloned is concerning and more needs to be done to tackle the issue. A key problem remains the apparent ease to buy plates, particularly online, without the need to submit proof of ownership.
“The government’s recent Road Safety Strategy recognises plate cloning as a growing problem and is consulting on higher penalties to help deter this behaviour.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the National Police Chiefs’ Council added: “Displaying cloned number plates is a criminal act and will only be done with criminal motives in mind.
“Policing is working closely with partner agencies including DVLA and Trading Standards to determine the scale of the threat and the most effective tactics to tackle this issue.”
