West Sussex MP’s bill hopes to tackle use of illegal number plates

Arundel & South Downs MP Andrew Griffith will present the Vehicle Registration Offences (Penalty Points) Bill as a Ten Minute Rule Bill in the House of Commons on Wednesday October 21.

The Bill aims to amend the punishments for keeping or driving a vehicle with an obstructed number plate, or without a number plate. Currently, the punishment for these offences is a £100 fixed penalty notice increasing to a maximum of £1,000 in court, but the Bill seeks to add three penalty points to an offender’s licence in addition to this.

In recent months, Sussex Police have ramped up their efforts in tackling anti-social drivers and motorcyclists across the county through Operation Downsway with the increased usage of fixed and mobile speed cameras, said Andrew. However, where legible and compliant number plates are not displayed, speed cameras are unable to aid in the prosecution of anti-social road users.

The Vehicle Registration Offences (Penalty Points) Bill aims to generate greater number plate compliance by making these offences legally endorseable with licence penalty points.

Andrew added: “I am hopeful that my Vehicle Registration Offences (Penalty Points) Bill will gain support in the House of Commons and close a current loophole in the law. Currently, anti-social drivers and motorcyclists defy speed limits and number plate recognition cameras with only minor consequences.

“Penalty points on the driving licenses of anti-social road users leading directly to higher insurance premiums and its ultimate loss would however be a real deterrent.”