Full DVLA list of banned 'rude and offensive' licence plates for 2025

Twice a year the DVLA reveals which new number plates will be prohibited.

Express

posted on 5 days ago — updated on 1 second ago

A number of new car registration plates are banned twice a year by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). These plates include anything that is deemed rude or inappropriate, or references crime, racism, politics or religion.

These lists of forbidden number plates are released each year in March and September to coincide with the switch to new plates.

This March saw the introduction of the “25” plates, which has led to multiple number plates making the list due to the way the number resembles the letters “SS”.

Experts at car sales platform Carwow detailed exactly what plates are therefore restricted. Due to the similarity between “25” and “SS” you won’t find any cars that read TO25 ERR” and “AS25 HOL”.

Words related to crime are also not allowed. On the list for this reason are “MU25 DER” and “PE25 ADO”.

A car parked with licence plate showing

Anything associated with the ward in Ukraine is also on the list. This includes “25 RUS” and “25 UKR”. Anything with the word “war” is also deemed inappropriate. “MG25 WAR” and “NF25 WAR” are banned.

Iain Reid, head of editorial at Carwow, commented: “The twice-yearly plate-change always sparks some interest in the new car market, as car buyers get a kick out of having a new number plate and many are willing to wait for one. Many drivers go one step further to express themselves with a personalised plate, but it’s important to ensure not to cause offence.”

Personalised number plates are popular with many drivers. You can buy a personalised registration for your number plates from DVLA online or at auction.

However, it’s important to remember that personalised registration numbers can only be used on a vehicle registered (or about to be registered), taxed and used in the UK.

When it comes to picking your registration number, you can’t make the vehicle look newer than it actually is. “For example, you can’t put an ‘07’ registration number onto a 2003 registered vehicle,” the DVLA says.

DVLA Personalised Registrations also auctions some exclusive registration numbers. Auctions are held about six times a year and reserve prices start from £130. You can bid online, in person, by phone or in writing.

You can buy a personalised registration number from a dealer or privately. If you do this, make sure you receive the V750 certificate of entitlement or V778 certificate of retention.

For more information, visit gov.uk/buy-a-personalised-registration-number#more-information.

The full list of banned 25 number plates, according to Carwow, is: