How Do Drivers Do This? The Rise of “Ghost Plates” from the U.K. to the U.S.
A new wave of high-tech deception is hitting the roads — and it started in the United Kingdom. British lawmakers have launched a Parliamentary inquiry into a growing problem of drivers making themselves invisible to speed cameras and ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) systems. These motorists are using cloned, tampered, or “ghost” number plates that can’t be read by enforcement cameras, allowing them to speed, run red lights, and dodge tolls without consequence.
Now, American drivers are starting to adopt similar tactics — exploiting gaps in U.S. plate design, state registration systems, and automated camera networks. Law enforcement experts warn that this could soon become a nationwide enforcement crisis.
From the U.K. to the U.S.: How Ghost Plates Work
The U.K. has some of the most advanced camera-based enforcement in the world — with over 11,000 fixed cameras and tens of thousands of mobile ANPR units tracking speed, red-light, and toll violations. Because nearly every British car trip is logged somewhere, it’s the perfect testing ground for cheaters.
Ghost plates use coatings, films, or altered fonts to make a car’s number plate unreadable to enforcement cameras. Some reflect light in a way that blinds infrared lenses, while others use 3D or gel materials that distort letters. Online sellers even market “anti-camera sprays” and “stealth plates” on eBay and TikTok for under $50.
Cloned plates are another tactic: criminals copy a legitimate registration number and print fake plates for a similar-looking vehicle. When the fake car gets caught on camera, the fine or citation goes to the innocent driver — not the offender.
These tricks allow reckless drivers — and sometimes organized criminal groups — to drive untraceably, move stolen cars, or evade low-emission and congestion charges.
Why It Matters in the United States
In the U.S., enforcement is less centralized than in the U.K. Each state runs its own DMV, license plate design, and camera regulations. But America’s growing use of license plate readers (LPRs) — used by police, toll agencies, and private parking systems — means ghost plates are starting to pose the same risks here.
Across the U.S., there are now more than 400,000 plate readers in operation, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation. They’re used to issue toll violations, track stolen cars, and enforce traffic safety. Yet, many of these systems are vulnerable to the same tricks already frustrating British authorities.
Examples already emerging:
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California and Texas have reported a rise in unreadable or altered plates — including tinted plate covers, reflective sprays, and vinyl wraps that defeat cameras.
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New York City’s Department of Transportation says it loses tens of millions in toll revenue yearly due to obscured or missing plates.
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Florida highway patrol officers have stopped drivers using LED-lit or flip-style plates that can hide or change numbers at the press of a button.
Like the U.K., U.S. agencies are finding that laws haven’t kept pace with technology. Penalties for altering or obscuring a plate vary wildly — from a $25 fine in some states to a criminal misdemeanor in others.
How Drivers Make Themselves “Invisible”
Ghost plate techniques range from cheap DIY hacks to sophisticated tech. Here are the most common:
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Reflective Sprays or Films – These coatings reflect the infrared flash used by many speed and red-light cameras, turning the plate into a bright white blur in enforcement photos.
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3D or Gel Fonts – Raised or stylized fonts distort camera recognition algorithms, making optical character recognition (OCR) fail.
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Plate Covers or Flippers – Plastic shields that darken at certain angles, or mechanical covers that flip down to hide the plate entirely.
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Tampered Characters – Drivers alter letters or numbers (for example, turning “B” into “8”) with stickers or screws.
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Cloned Plates – Duplicating another vehicle’s number to shift blame for fines or criminal acts.
While many of these modifications are illegal, enforcement is inconsistent. In the U.K., police can issue an immediate £100 fine (about $125) and seize the plate. In most U.S. states, the same violation might only result in a warning or minor ticket.
The U.K. Parliamentary Inquiry: A Warning Sign
The U.K. government’s recent inquiry into ghost plates is an acknowledgment that the issue has gone mainstream. Lawmakers on the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Transport Safety are examining whether weak regulation of plate suppliers and low fines are fueling the problem.
Investigators discovered that more than 130 registered plate makers were willing to sell illegal or unreadable plates without verifying ownership. Some even marketed them online as “show plates” or “off-road use only” — despite being used on public streets.
MPs are considering tougher penalties, supplier audits, and new detection technologies that can see through coatings or recognize tampered fonts.
If Britain — with its strict standards (BS AU 145e) and nationwide camera system — is struggling to contain ghost plates, U.S. enforcement may face an even steeper uphill climb.
The Criminal Connection
It’s not just about dodging speeding tickets. Police in both countries say ghost and cloned plates are increasingly linked to serious criminal activity:
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Stolen-vehicle transport
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Illegal street racing
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Human trafficking
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Hit-and-run crashes
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Smuggling and unregistered car trade
In one London case, a cloned plate was used on a getaway car involved in multiple robberies. In the U.S., ghost plates have been found on vehicles used in catalytic converter theft rings and drug transport across state lines.
Because plate readers are often used for both traffic enforcement and criminal tracking, a missing or unreadable plate effectively gives offenders invisibility from both civil and criminal detection.
Why U.S. Drivers Should Care
For ordinary American drivers, this trend matters for several reasons:
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Insurance and liability: If your license plate is cloned, you could receive tickets or even arrest warrants for crimes you didn’t commit.
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Toll and congestion enforcement: As more U.S. cities adopt congestion pricing (New York begins in 2026), ghost plates could cost local governments billions in lost revenue.
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Road safety: If dangerous drivers believe they can’t be caught, speeding and hit-and-run incidents will rise — as seen in parts of London where ghost plates have become common.
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Privacy and fairness: Honest drivers face constant camera surveillance while cheaters opt out, undermining public trust in automated enforcement systems.
What’s Being Done in America
A few states are beginning to act:
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New York recently launched “Operation Clear Plate,” targeting obscured or missing plates and issuing thousands of fines in 2024.
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Florida outlawed plate-flipping devices, with fines up to $5,000 for possession.
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Texas lawmakers have debated adding micro-etched holograms or RFID chips to future license plates to improve authentication.
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California has begun testing AI-enhanced plate readers capable of detecting tampered or coated plates.
Still, unlike the U.K., the U.S. lacks a centralized plate manufacturing or enforcement standard. That makes it easier for ghost plates to proliferate.
How to Protect Yourself
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Buy plates or replacements only through your state DMV or approved vendors. Avoid “custom plate” sellers on social media or overseas websites.
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Check your registration frequently. If you get strange tolls or tickets in other cities, report it — you may be a cloning victim.
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Avoid decorative or tinted plate covers. They’re illegal in many states and can lead to fines.
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If you suspect cloning, contact law enforcement and your insurer immediately. Keep proof of your car’s location and registration on hand.
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Support stronger legislation. Ask your local representatives to back bills that regulate plate materials, supplier verification, and penalties for tampering.
The Road Ahead
Just as speed cameras became common across American highways, plate-based enforcement is becoming central to how U.S. cities collect revenue, monitor emissions, and keep roads safe. The U.K. experience shows what happens when enforcement tools outpace the laws designed to protect them.
Ghost plates are a loophole — a dangerous one. As the British inquiry unfolds, it’s a clear warning for U.S. policymakers: if one of the most regulated traffic systems in the world can be beaten by a $30 spray, America’s fragmented plate system is even more vulnerable.
The solution isn’t to ban technology — it’s to modernize it. Stronger standards, smarter detection, and public awareness can keep both nations from sliding into a digital cat-and-mouse game on the roads.