DVLA issues fresh ban on new number plates in attempt to keep roads 'polite'
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has issued a fresh ban on rude number plates in a bid to make UK roads more 'polite'.
Twice a year, the agency releases a new list of banned number plates as Regtransfers, the UK's largest private number plate supplier, has warned us of the challenges facing the DVLA.
Amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, they said: "The DVLA faces a tough, ongoing battle to find a balance between people's right to free speech and their duty to keep the public area polite.
"As society evolves, so does the language and symbols considered offensive, and while there may be disagreements about some decisions about what is offensive or censorship, the goal is to apply standards without violating people's rights.
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"People will definitely keep talking about these kinds of rules, which are a reflection of bigger issues like morality, freedom, and respect in our constantly changing society."
A list of offensive number plates, obtained via a Freedom of Information request, showed which of those have been banned from the 74 release.
These include:
S74 BBR (stabber)
S74 BBY (stabby)
AT74 CKU (attack you)
BE74 END (b***end)
BL74 WJB (b***job)
BO74 CCK (b**lock)
BU74 SHT
TT74 WAT (t***)
WW74 NKZ (w***ers)
UB74 TCH
AN74 USA
AT74 CKU
If you're caught with a banned number plate, you could face penalties, fines and fail your MOT.
One motorist, who is against the ban, said: "Sounds very childish to me.
"I don't see anything wrong with most of them.
"Obviously takes a nas tee and dir t ee mind to see them."
Earlier this month, we learnt that divers are handed, on average, more than 35,000 privately issued parking tickets every day, as the wait for the Government to impose new rules continues.
The RAC Foundation said they felt 'badly let down' by the delay in rule changes, as each driving ticket can cost up to £100.
Private parking companies have been accused of using misleading signs and unreasonable ticket costs as new regulation was supposed to take effect in 2019.
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “Since March 2019 many things have happened. The five years have seen us through four prime ministers, a pandemic and a cost-of-living crisis.
“But what we’ve not seen is the implementation of the protections MPs were queuing up to support when the Parking (Code of Practice) Act made its way onto the statute book all those years ago.
“Ministers would do well to consider how their performance looks to the many millions of drivers who’ve been issued with a ticket since the law was enacted.
“What’s needed is a swift dose of hurry-up treatment in this election year if those voters are not to be left feeling badly let down.”
Anish Vij