Instances of vehicle cloning via number plate fraud reached a record high in the UK in 2025, according to the RAC.

A record 11,400 motorists reported receiving fines or penalty charges for offences they believe were committed by cloned vehicles in the past year, according to the latest research from the RAC.

The figure is 9% higher than in 2024 and 93% above the level recorded in 2018, underlining the growing problem of criminals copying legitimate number plates to disguise vehicles used for offences.

However, the figures should not be interpreted as a confirmed count of cloned cars.

They measure motorists reporting fines or penalties they believe are linked to cloning, while DVLA data also includes cases that may have resulted from administrative errors or incorrect registration details.

The RAC’s analysis of DVLA figures found that there were around 47,000 reports of suspected cloning between 2020 and 2025.

Vehicle cloning involves fitting a car with the registration number of another, often a similar make, model and colour.

Criminals can then use the false identity to evade detection, commit offences or avoid charges, leaving the legitimate vehicle’s registered keeper to challenge the resulting penalties.

London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, recently fought a prosecution after a 24-year-old Nissan Micra was incorrectly linked to him.

He was initially fined £220, plus costs and unpaid vehicle tax, after the case was dealt with through the Single Justice Procedure.

However, City Hall said Khan had never owned the Micra and had been the victim of a scam.

The DVLA requested that the conviction be quashed, but it goes to show that no one is immune from cloning.

 

Crime ride

Cloned vehicles may be stolen or used to commit offences, including speeding, illegal parking, fuel theft and avoiding congestion or clean-air-zone charges.

The genuine owner then receives the resulting penalty notices and must prove they were not responsible.

In some cases, the consequences extend beyond unwanted fines to penalty points, debt collection and lengthy disputes.

The RAC has also highlighted the emergence of so-called ‘ghost plates’, designed to evade ANPR cameras altogether.

Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, said: “The rise in the number of cloned vehicles is alarming. It’s the menace of modern-day motoring because it leaves innocent drivers having to fight to prove they are innocent.”

Don’t be a victim

There is no guaranteed way to prevent criminals copying a registration number, particularly when it is visible on a vehicle or in online photographs.

However, motorists can reduce the risk and make it easier to challenge fraudulent activity.

Owners should be wary of posting identifiable vehicle details alongside their location information.

Tamper-resistant number plate fixings can also help deter physical plate theft, though it will not prevent criminals making duplicate plates elsewhere.

Anyone buying a used car should check its history, compare the vehicle identification number (VIN) against the vehicle and its documentation, and investigate any discrepancies in its identity, price, or paperwork.

If you do receive an unexpected fine, motorists should compare the vehicle details, photographs, location and time of the alleged offence with their own car and movements.

Suspected cloning should be reported to the police, and every incorrect penalty must be challenged with the issuing authority.

Report and protect

A new national online reporting service, launched on police websites on 14 October, allows suspected cloning reports to be shared automatically with the DVLA, simplifying a process that previously could require separate notifications.

If you suspect your vehicle’s numberplate has been cloned:

• Visit your local police force website for the vehicle’s registered location, click the ‘Report’ tab, and follow the prompts until you reach the cloned plate reporting tool. You can report your own vehicle or on behalf of someone else, for example a family member or an organisation.
• Once your report has been made, you will receive a receipt code and the information submitted will be shared with both the police and the DVLA.
• It is important to note that you will then need to respond directly to the organisation that issued the fine, penalty notice, parking charge, or other enforcement notice. Neither the police nor the DVLA can legally act on behalf of the victim to contest any fines or charges issued.
• The police force you have reported to may contact you to ask further questions as they investigate your report.

 

 

Likely to get worse

The growing use of ANPR technology has made vehicle identification central to policing, traffic enforcement and road charging.

But cloned and unreadable plates can undermine those systems, allowing offenders to evade detection while innocent motorists bear the consequences.

The Government announced a new National Roads Policing Coordination Centre in September 2026, alongside plans to strengthen number plate standards, improve enforcement and consider tougher penalties.

Manufacturers and number plate suppliers also have a role to play.

More secure plates incorporating features such as traceable markings, holograms or electronic identification could make counterfeiting harder.

Tighter supplier checks, regular audits, and better information-sharing between manufacturers, the DVLA, and the police could further restrict access to legitimate registration details.

With criminals adapting to enforcement technology, simply increasing the number of cameras will not solve the problem.

Unless the identity displayed by a vehicle can be trusted, motorists may continue paying the price for crimes committed by someone else.