This year’s latest collection of number plates was unveiled on March 1 and there are some prohibited combinations that aren’t appropriate for UK roads. However, it’s not only character combinations that can lead to a number plate being deemed unfit for the road.

James Harding, a tyre specialist at Blackcircles with over 16 years in the motoring industry, said: “In recent years, the demand for customised number plates has grown, with Google searches for 4D number plates increasing by 101% over the past quarter and over 28k searches for the term ‘personalised number plate’ in the UK over the past month.

“While the idea of personalising your number plate may be appealing, the UK’s number plate laws are quite stringent, and non-compliance can result in a fine of up to £1,000, your car failing its MOT, invalid insurance, and the police removing your vehicle from the road until the plates are updated. To ensure no motorists are caught off guard, we have highlighted the different ways you can invalidate your plate.”

Seven things that can render your number plate illegal

Coloured plates

For UK vehicles, number plates must be white at the front and yellow at the back, both with black lettering. Any other colours are not allowed and your plate will be deemed illegal.

Incorrect font or spacing

The UK has precise requirements concerning spacing and fonts. All numbers and letters on the plate must be in Charles Wright font, 79mm tall and 50mm wide (excluding ‘1’ or ‘I’), 14mm thick, with each character having an 11mm gap to the next and a 33mm gap between the age identifier and the final three letters.

Modifying the spacing or employing custom fonts can render the number plate invalid.

The DVLA states that only certain flags may be displayed on the left side of number plates. These include the Union Flag, Scottish Saltire, Cross of St George, or Welsh Dragon.

If you have other flags or emblems on your number plate, the police can remove your car from the road until it is rectified.

Whilst a white light to illuminate your vehicle’s rear plate is permitted, any other form of illumination is illegal. Never use any coloured lights to illuminate either the front or rear plate, and remember that highlighting letters or numbers on your plate in any way will invalidate it.

Number plates need to meet the minimum reflective value set by the DVLA.

Because of this, tinted number plates are not legal for road use as they can make it more challenging for police and motoring systems to identify the vehicle.

It is illegal to drive with dirty number plates.

Plates must always be visible to the police and any automated motoring systems. Make sure to regularly clean your front and rear plates to avoid receiving a fine.

In the UK, it’s not allowed to use materials to change the characters on your plate or rearrange them to form a different sequence. Number plates serve as a means of identifying a vehicle, hence altering the original letters or numbers on the plate is against the law.

James said: “If you are worried about your number plate’s legality, you can have it checked by a trusted number plate supplier or the DVLA.

“If it doesn’t comply with regulations, replace it immediately to avoid potential fines or legal action.”