"Ghost plates" – sometimes called stealth or invisible plates – look normal to the human eye but are designed so that ANPR, speed and toll cameras can't read them. They've had a lot of attention recently because they're used to dodge speeding fines, congestion and clean-air zone charges, and tolls.
How ghost plates work
Cameras read plates using infrared light. Ghost plates interfere with that in a few ways:
- Coatings or films that reflect or absorb infrared, so the plate glares or disappears on camera.
- Tinted or reflective covers fitted over an otherwise normal plate.
- Sprays sold to "protect" plates that actually make them unreadable to cameras.
To a passer-by the plate looks fine, which is the whole point.
Are ghost plates illegal?
Yes. Displaying a number plate that's been altered, covered or treated so it can't be read properly is an offence, with a fine of up to £1,000. Using one to avoid speeding fines or charges can lead to much more serious offences. The plate will also fail an MOT, and a personalised registration can be withdrawn by the DVLA.
Ghost plates vs 4D and 3D gel plates
Raised characters are not ghost plates. 4D and 3D gel plates are legal when the characters are black, the font and spacing are correct and the plate meets the British Standard. They're made to be read – by people and by cameras – in exactly the same way as a standard printed plate.
What makes a plate illegal is anything added to defeat cameras: coatings, covers, tints and sprays. That's also why smoked tints are only available on our show plates, never on road-legal plates.
How to make sure your plates are legitimate
- Buy road-legal plates from a supplier that checks your V5C and photo ID.
- Look for the BS AU 145e mark and the supplier's name and postcode on the plate.
- Don't fit covers, films or sprays over your plates.
- If a plate looks unusually glossy or dark, or a seller promises it will "beat cameras", walk away.
Read more about what's allowed in UK number plate rules explained and Are 4D number plates legal?.