Drivers at risk of £1,000 fine from little-known DVLA winter number plate rule

Motorists could be at risk of a £1,000 fine for breaking an easily forgotten DVLA rule this winter. Liam Barnes, a driving expert and manager at TopReg, explained that not clearing snow and ice from vehicle number plates could backfire, with road users at risk of picking up hefty penalties.

Number plates must be clearly visible and fully readable from at least 20 meters for law enforcement purposes. Plates cannot be obstructed under any circumstances with winter weather, such as dirt, mud, snow or ice likely to cause an issue. Liam said: "Forgetting to clear snow and ice from your number plates during cold snaps can lead to a hefty fine of up to £1,000 from Local Authorities.

"The law mandates that number plates must be easily readable to ensure compliance with speed cameras and police checks.

"By taking a few moments to clear your number plates before driving, you can avoid unnecessary legal trouble and potential penalties."

October could be the first time motorists have to deal with dirty car number plates since the summer holidays. The Met Office has explained that the final third of October will "likely see a transition to more unsettled conditions across the UK".

They revealed that there is a greater chance that most of the UK will see spells of rain with showers likely. Snow may also be on the radar in just a couple of weeks with a couple of centimetres predicted to fall south of Inverness on October 22, according to WXCharts.

The RAC explained: "Yes, it is illegal to drive with a dirty or obstructed number plates on the roads in the UK. This is because number plates must always be readable and visible to both police and automated systems, such as ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras.

"If a plate is obscured by dirt, mud, snow, or anything else that makes it difficult to read, it does not comply with the law."

JDM Plates stressed that cleaning car number plates should be part of motorists' regular vehicle maintenance routine. They said drivers should apply mild soap and water, tending to avoid any harsh chemicals that could damage the plate.

Motorists should also try and use a non-abrasive cloth to make sure they don't scratch the registration.