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The Daily Insight

Is it illegal to drive without a rear number plate UK?

Author

Olivia Shea

Updated on February 28, 2026

It is against the law in the UK for cars to display no front number plate. All cars on the road are required to display registrations at both the front and rear of the vehicle. The rear plate must also show black letters and numbers, but on a yellow plate.

Where can I get a replacement number plate from?

Order UK Legal Replacement Number Plates

  • DVLA Registered Company.
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Is a cracked rear number plate an MOT failure?

– Will a cracked number plate fail a MOT? BNMA found that 4% of all MOT failures are due to number plates not meeting the specified requirements. If your number plate has been damaged due to a collision, such as being cracked or smashed, it should be replaced prior to your next MOT test as it may result in a failure.

Can you get points for having no number plate?

“Currently whilst speeding offences are endorsable, that is they result in points on the offenders driving licence. “The offence of displaying a non-compliant or even displaying no number plate at all carries only a fine.

Is a cracked number plate illegal?

If either of your car number plates is cracked, broken, faded or has marks obscuring the letters and numbers, then they’re illegal and need to be replaced.

Is cracked number plate illegal?

Is it illegal to drive with a cracked number plate?

Remember: In the eyes of the law, it is illegal for you to drive around with a number plate that isn’t clearly visible. If it’s tampered with, broken, cracked or faded, chances are you’ll be flagged up by the Police ANPR cameras, and indefinitely stopped by the Police.

What makes a car number plate illegal?

Number plates become illegal if there has been an attempt to rearrange or misrepresent the numbers or letters, such as or using large bolts to secure the plate to the car to make a numbers or letters appear different.