Warning drivers could face £1k fine for not keeping car part clean

DRIVERS have been warned that they could face a £1,000 fine for not keeping their licence plate clean.

Motorists have a responsibility to make sure their number plates are visible at all times, or risk being pulled over and slapped with a “hefty fine”.

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Vehicle owners need to make sure that nothing obscures the plates, including ice and snow after the recent weather.

Experts at Nationwide Vehicle Contacts issued the warning earlier this month.

They said: “It isn’t just your roof or window screen that can land you a hefty fine if it is covered in snow.

“If you do not clear any ice or snow obscuring your front and rear number plate you could receive a fine of up to £1,000 from local authorities.

“The law states that all number plates must be clearly visible. If it is obstructed it can affect your car being picked up by speed cameras or police checks.”

The same reason is behind the recent ban on 3D and 4D number plates, as they can’t be picked up by Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.

ANPR is used to determine whether drivers have broken the rules of the road, as well as to check if cars are taxed or stolen.

A fine of up to £1,000 can be issued for driving with incorrectly displayed plates, while it could also cause the vehicle to fail an MOT.

It comes after police in Dorset issued their own reminder to locals to keep their plates clean and visible during the wet weather.

Weymouth and Portland Police shared a social media post of a car with obscured plates.

The caption read: “Do your number plates look like this at the moment? With the amount of grit and salt on the road, we are not surprised.

“It is however, the responsibility of the driver to make sure they are displaying a road legal and legible number plate, front and rear.

“Take time to check before beginning your journey.”