Illegal car feature ‘looks normal’ but makes them ‘invisible’ to speed cameras

Calls for GBP1,000 fines as part of tougher crackdown on 'under-reported' issue

08:47, 08 Mar 2025

A bid to toughen laws over illegal car features which make them "invisible" to speed cameras has been launched by MPs.

There are growing concerns over so-called ghost plates which have reflective material and can't be read by speed or ANPR cameras.

Reckless drivers are using them to make themselves invisible to authorities and get away with speeding, running red lights and other acts of dangerous driving.

READ MORE: Millions of drivers making costly mistake after taking car for MOT[1]

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It's thought ghost plates are becoming an increasing issue on UK roads and could hamper police investigations and allow motorists to get away with breaking driving laws.

A West Midlands MP is now leading the campaign for much harsher fines and penalty points for those caught to act as more of a deterrent.

Sarah Coombes, MP for West Bromwich, brought the Vehicle Registration Offences Bill for debate in the Commons.

It calls for an increase to penalties from the current GBP100 to GBP1,000 and six penalty points - and potentially even a driving ban.

Ms Coombes told MPs: "Most people drive safely and are just trying to take their kids to school, get to work or do the weekly shop, but there are some selfish people who use our roads as racetracks, who care nothing about risking other people's lives, and who are evading capture by using dodgy ghost number plates.

"There has been little mainstream media coverage, but it is clear from TikTok and Instagram that they are widely known.

"So what is a ghost or stealth plate?

They look like normal number plates to the human eye, but they have a reflective coating, or have been interfered with in some way, which makes them unreadable to the infrared police speed cameras on our roads.

"Those who Google "ghost plates" will be presented with websites where they can buy a ghost plate online for as little as GBP30, making the vehicle "invisible" to the automatic number plate recognition cameras that police use to stop drivers speeding and keep our roads safe.

"Those websites are full of disclaimers reassuring us that they are perfectly legal - as long as we do not use them on the roads.

"The fact is, however, that they are being used on our roads, by people who want to speed around freely, run red lights, and do much worse.

"Right now, if someone has a ghost plate and they speed past a camera at 100 mph, the likelihood is that they will not be caught.

"It is illegal to use these plates, but the current consequences of being caught with one are far too insignificant.

"At the moment, the penalty for driving with a ghost plate is just a GBP100 fine - no points and no driving ban; just GBP100 - and that is if they are caught.

"It is less than they would get for a speeding ticket.

"For those wanting to drive around recklessly on our roads, or commit even worse crimes, why would they not do so, when the penalty is so small?

"This Bill calls for a review of the penalties for ghost plates.

I think we need to see fines of GBP1,000 as well as six points on someone's licence.

"The current fine of GBP100 is hardly a deterrent, but a GBP1,000 fine, the threat of six penalty points and potentially even vehicle seizure or licence disqualification would be ways to clamp down on the use and supply of ghost plates.

"That would not only make our roads safer, but ensure that our roads cannot be used to carry out crime.

"The drivers using ghost plates have gone under the radar for too long, but now they have been rumbled, and it is time to crack down on them."

References

1. ^ Millions of drivers making costly mistake after taking car for MOT (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ Get all the latest motoring news sent to your inbox by signing up to our new newsletter here (www.birminghammail.co.uk)