Road users have been urged to take a couple of minutes to check their plate is clean enough to read clearly before setting off on a journey, or face the consequences. Experts at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has warned drivers could be issued a charge of up to £1,000 for the simple offence.
A spokesperson said: “This is one that needs particular attention during the winter months.
“You can’t be blamed for the dirty roads or weather conditions, but if you fail to check that your licence plate is legible you could be in trouble.
“If your car has a dirty or illegible license plate you could potentially be landed with a £1,000 penalty.
“With muddier roads due to snowy and wet weather, it may be worth taking a couple of minutes to check it is clean enough to read clearly.”
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Despite the risks, there are fears thousands of road users are oblivious to the rule and could be caught out.
A recent survey from Car Parts 4 Less showed 24 percent of road users did not know driving without a number plate was an offence.
This was supported by another poll from Tyre Pros who found 23 percent were unaware of the rule surrounding dirty number plates.
A spokesperson for Tyre Pros said: “There are strict rules in the UK when it comes to displaying number plates on vehicles.
However, in Scotland all car washes must remain closed until further notice making it harder for drivers to regularly clean their vehicles.
Drivers can scrub the dirt off their car at home within seconds using a sponge or a jet wash to avoid breaking the new rules.
GOV.UK warns drivers can also be issued fines for incorrectly displaying their number plates.
They warn legal plates must include two letters followed by two numbers and three letters.
Those which do not meet requirements are possibly show plates and are not legally allowed on the road.