The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has released its latest list of banned registration plates, with 464 combinations deemed too inappropriate or offensive to be allowed on UK roads.
This is part of the DVLA’s regular review process, which takes place twice a year—in March and September—to ensure vehicle registrations do not cause offence or embarrassment. While many of the banned combinations are crude or immature, others reference serious and sensitive topics such as violence, war, politics, religion, or discrimination.
The September 2025 registration update uses the identifier ‘75’, which adds 50 to the ‘25’ identifier used in March to mark the halfway point in the yearly cycle. However, this new number sequence has introduced fresh concerns, as '75' can resemble 'RS', and the number ‘7’ can be mistaken for a ‘T’. These visual similarities have led to certain problematic combinations like 'BA75 ARD', 'AR75 RSE', 'EA75 DCK', and 'FA75 GUT' being blacklisted.
Some combinations that might seem humorous—like ‘EA75 POO’ or ‘EU75 OUT’—have also been removed, while others containing potentially harmful references, such as ‘GO75 WAR’, ‘US75 WAR’ or ‘AU75 WTZ’, have been excluded for good reason.
Each banned list is the result of a detailed review process led by senior DVLA staff and industry experts. The goal is to prevent number plates that could be offensive, discriminatory, or otherwise inappropriate from being issued.
A DVLA spokesperson said:
“The vast majority of registration numbers are made available, but the DVLA withholds any combinations of numbers and letters where we consider they may cause offence, embarrassment, or are in poor taste.”
What happens if you use a banned number plate?
It is illegal to display a number plate that does not meet legal standards. This includes altering the spacing or design of the characters to form words, or using bolts and fixings to change the appearance of letters and numbers.
Using an altered or banned plate can result in a £100 fine. In more serious cases, your registration can be permanently withdrawn, and you will not be entitled to a refund for the plate or any related costs. A vehicle displaying an illegal plate can also fail its MOT.
The DVLA’s official guidance states:
“You cannot rearrange or misrepresent the numbers and letters on a number plate to form names or words, or to make them hard to read. You could be fined up to £1,000 and your vehicle could fail its MOT. The registration may also be permanently withdrawn.”
Does a number plate affect a car’s value?
While number plates do indicate a car’s age, other factors such as mileage, service history, and condition play a much more significant role in determining its value.
Darryl Bowman, from car insurance platform Cuvva, said:
“If you’re planning to sell your car soon and want the best price, try to do so before the new plates are released. On the other hand, if you’re buying, looking at a car registered just before the new plate release could mean better value.”
He added that regular maintenance, choosing a desirable model, and keeping mileage low are more effective ways to reduce depreciation than simply relying on a new registration.
