Drivers at risk of £1,000 fine if they don't follow 1 rule this October

Motorists are at risk of being slapped with a £1,000 fine for failing to follow one simple rule this October. Road users may not be aware that having a dirty car number plate is against the rules with the issue likely to become more of a problem in Autumn and Winter.

Number plates must always be visible for law enforcement purposes, such as speed cameras and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) tools. A number plate that is obscured by dirt, mud or snow will become more difficult to read and could result in road users being stopped by police and fined. Road users breaking the rules are at risk of being hit with a staggering four-figure £1,000 fine in a hefty blow for cash-strapped road users.

Motoring experts at LKQ Euro Car Parts explained: “The number plates on your vehicle should be legible at all times, and drivers caught with an obstructed plate could receive a fine of up to £1,000. Something as simple as a build-up of dirt and dust can block the letters and numbers, so it’s important to clean your vehicle regularly to ensure your number plate is always visible.

“If you don’t have time to clean your whole vehicle, make sure to check your number plate on a regular basis and give it a quick wash down with a sponge and some soapy water so it remains legible and within regulations. This should only take a minute or two, and can mean you avoid a hefty fine.”

Motorists can clean their dirty number plate by simply cleaning their car at home using a bucket and a sponge.

Nimble Fins has suggested the average cost of an automatic car wash in the UK is £6.30 with some companies charging as little as £4.50. However, experts at the RAC stressed that more serious examples could become a problem and see road users hit with larger bills.

Drivers who have already been asked to deal with their obscured number plate will also likely be penalised more.

The RAC explained: “However, in cases where it appears that the plate has been deliberately obscured to avoid detection, then penalties may be more severe, potentially leading to prosecution by the police.”