New batch of number plates banned by DVLA as too rude for the road with £1,000 fines

A fresh list of banned number plates deemed by the DVLA to be too rude to be displayed on cars in the UK has been released for 2026's upcoming 26 plates.

From March 1, the latest reg plates will be hitting the streets on all new cars sold in the UK.

But the DVLA has banned at least 400 new 26 plate number plates, due to apparent links to crime, violence, religion, racism, homophobia and all sorts of other reasons.

According to a Freedom of Information Act request issued to the DVLA by RegTransfers.co.uk, a total of 403 26 plate number plates will be banned next year. That's in addition to the 646 plates banned by the DVLA in 2025, for both the 25 plate and the 75 plate, which covers the period September 2025 to February 2026.

References to war have been blocked by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, such as HH26 WAR, TE26 ROR or JE26 HA. JU26 ANG has also been banned, possibly for looking like the word 'gang'.

Other banned plates are simply similar to rude words, like AA26 NUS, and DO26 GGER, or FU26 KER.

Plates which refer to sexuality such as LE26 ZRS and GA26 GAY are also outlawed.

References to Russia's invasion of Ukraine have also been blocked, including NO26 RUS, UK26 RUS, and NO26 UKR and UK26 UKR as well as YE26 RUS and YE26 UKR.

Driving on UK roads with a non-compliant number plate can see you hit with a fine of £1,000 and your car could fail its MOT, too.

It's not just the content of the plate, of course, but also the font, size and spacing which is strictly controlled.

The RAC explains: "When it comes to owning a vehicle there are manydriving laws you need to be aware of - and one of them is how to display your number plate.

In the most recent police data, 2020 figures showed that 13,720 drivers were stopped by police for having illegal number plates.

"Number plates must use a specific typeface known as the Charles Wright 2001 font. Any modifications to the font style, thickness, or size can render the plate illegal.

"The spacing between letters and numbers must be consistent with DVLA guidelines. Altering the spacing to make the plate spell a word or name is illegal.

Plates must also have the correct size and layout, which is different for cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles.

The plates also need to be rectangular and correctly positioned on the vehicle. Custom shapes and arrangements can make a plate illegal."