(Parliament Politics Magazine) – The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has published its list of number plates banned from use in 2026, with more than 400 combinations removed for being offensive, inappropriate or misleading, and motorists are being urged to check their registrations to avoid fines of up to £1,000. The new ‘26’ and ‘76’ plate series will be issued next year, prompting heightened attention to banned combinations.
DVLA Publishes 2026 Banned Number Plates List
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has unveiled the official list of number plates that will be prohibited from being issued in 2026, advising drivers and plate purchasers to confirm their desired registrations against the banned list to avoid potential fines or refusals.
According to reporting by Nuray Bulbul of the Standard, the agency has removed hundreds of combinations that it considers offensive, inappropriate or capable of causing confusion on UK roads, ahead of the introduction of new ‘26’ registrations in March and ‘76’ registrations in September 2026.
Scope of Banned Registrations
More Than 400 Combinations Barred
As reported by Felix Reeves of GB News, more than 400 number plate combinations will be restricted, spanning a wide range of offensive acronyms, slang terms, sexual innuendo and politically sensitive references.
The DVLA conducts this review twice a year – coinciding with the biannual release of new registration identifiers – to ensure that no combination likely to cause offence, embarrassment or confusion is made available.
Examples of Banned Plates and Reasons
Although the full list runs into the hundreds, some combinations highlighted in recent reporting illustrate the types of plates rejected by the agency:
- Offensive or rude references combinations with crude or explicit connotations.
- Sensitive geopolitical and conflict-related terms such as those referencing wars or ongoing conflicts, which could be misinterpreted or provocative.
- Insensitive or discriminatory phrases entries that could be seen as discriminatory or offensive to protected groups.
For example, a snippet of the banned list includes combinations such as GA26 AZA, RU26 RUS, RU26 UKR, YE26 MEN and MU26GER.
DVLA officials stress this is part of a longstanding commitment to prevent potentially harmful or controversial registrations appearing on UK roads.
Motoring Community and Public Guidance
Drivers Advised to Review Registrations
Motorists who plan to purchase personalised plates or assign new registrations to vehicles in 2026 have been urged to consult the updated banned list before applying, to avoid disappointment or potential enforcement action.
While standard registration issuance usually proceeds smoothly, the introduction of the ‘26’ and later ‘76’ identifiers invariably triggers renewed interest in personalised plates, and the DVLA’s annual cull aims to strike a balance between creativity and public acceptability.
Fines and Enforcement
Although the banned list prevents specific combinations from being issued, existing plates that contravene legal requirements for example, those that are deliberately altered or unreadable can still lead to fines of up to £1,000 and MOT failures if they do not meet statutory standards.
Separately, UK number plate rules require:
- Black characters on a white background at the front and yellow background at the rear.
- Plates to be made of reflective material with correct character sizing and spacing.
- Display of a recognised British Standard number and supplier details.
Failure to adhere to these design standards can also result in penalties, including fines and the possibility of the registration being withdrawn.
Why Plates Are Banned
Offence and Public Sensitivities
The DVLA’s banned list reflects a systematic attempt to remove combinations that, when letters and numbers are viewed together, could form words or messages that are rude, offensive, discriminatory, reference drugs, violence, terrorism, or could be mistaken for emergency services identifiers.
As explained in recent analyses, the censorship process includes blocking sequences with potential sexual content, insults, references to criminal behaviour, racial or religious slurs, and polarising political phrases.
Political and Conflict References
Some plates are removed for referencing international conflict, which may be seen as politically sensitive or divisive, according to industry analysis of the banned list.
Annual Review Process
Expert Panel and Internal Vetting
The current banned plates list results from the DVLA’s biannual review process, where senior agency staff and experts vet thousands of potential combinations ahead of each new registration series.
This process has been in place for many years and is intended to adapt to evolving language, cultural sensibilities and social norms.
Historical Context
Evolving Standards Over Time
The practice of banning number plates is not new; similar lists have been released for previous registration years, including 2025, where hundreds of combinations were also blocked for offence or inappropriateness.
Reports from earlier years highlight examples such as AU75 WTZ and GB25 KLL, which were prohibited under similar criteria, including references to historical atrocities and violence.
Implications for Personalised Plates Market
Market Demand and Caution
The personalised plates market in the UK is a thriving niche, with enthusiasts and buyers keen to secure unique registrations. However, the DVLA’s continuing scrutiny emphasises that not all creative combinations will be available, and buyers must ensure compliance before investment.
Motorists seeking plates with particular initials, dates or themes face an additional step of cross-checking against the banned list to ensure their registration does not inadvertently fall afoul of DVLA rules.
What Motorists Should Do Next
Check Before You Buy
Drivers are being strongly advised to:
- Review the banned plates list before applying for any new registration in 2026.
- Ensure existing plates are legal and readable to avoid fines or MOT problems.
- Contact the DVLA or a registered plate supplier for clarification if in doubt about any specific combination.
By doing so, motorists can stay compliant with road regulations and avoid avoidable penalties or refusals.