The cloning of registration plates is illegal. Often, criminals have number plates made up for a vehicle of the same make, model and colour and then use the plates on their own vehicles in order to carry out criminal activities. Cloning means the actual vehicle being used is untraceable, while it appears to be legal if checked against police computers. In a bid to tackle this practice new regulations now require identification to be produced when purchasing registration plates. This includes the vehicle registration documents, along with personal identification, for example a driving licence.

The company that produces the plates is also required to display their name and postcode on the plate. This information is usually to be found at the bottom of the plate and is required to enable tracing of companies producing false plates and the individuals procuring them. These regulations have been in force since 2001, when the new style registrations were introduced. However, the regulations apply to all registration plates made up from 2001 onwards.

Tightening up the regulations has made it more difficult to obtain registration plates as many more checks and balances have been put in place. However, ’show plates’ are readily available to purchase online. It is illegal to display them on a vehicle, but they can be bought with no formal checks or balances. As a result of all this new legislation, the theft of number plates has increased in recent years.