The DVLA has withheld number plates for 2026, including references to Gaza, Russia and Yemen conflicts
James Rodger Content Editor
15:53, 05 Dec 2025
Motorists face £1,000 penalties as the DVLA moves to prohibit certain number plates(Image: Sergio Amiti via Getty Images)
Motorists face £1,000 penalties as the DVLA moves to prohibit certain number plates, with a fresh list of banned combinations revealed for 2026 due to concerns over offensive or inappropriate content.
The DVLA, responsible for maintaining approximately 53 million driver records alongside more than 47 million vehicle records, markets personalised registration plates via its online platform.
Twice yearly, it scrutinises incoming number plate options, determining which combinations warrant withholding based upon whether they might constitute insults, profanities, sexual innuendos, drug references, racist, sexist or LGBTQ+ implications, in addition to select political and religious allusions.
Below are the registration plates that have been prohibited this year:
- GA26 AZA
- RU26 RUS
- RU26 RUS
- RU26 UKR
- YE26 MEN
- MU26GER
- BA26OMB
- JE26HAD
- AN26US
- AN26HOL
- BJ26 BALS
- BJ26 AGG
- BJ26 STD
These combinations allude to warfare or conflict regions, such as Gaza, Russia and Yemen. Additionally, they incorporate terms like ‘bomb’ and ‘mugger’ alongside sexual connotations.
The RAC clarifies: “When it comes to owning a vehicle there are many driving 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.”
