DVLA unveils all car number plates banned in 2025 for being too rude - full list

Felix Reeves

By Felix Reeves

Published: 19/01/2025

- 09:17

Drivers looking to buy a new car at some point this year could be hampered by DVLA rules banning certain number plate specifications because they are too rude.

In keeping with tradition, car buyers will see the release of two new number plate identifiers across the year, once in March and once in September.

The latest cars will be hitting forecourts on March 1 with the "25" number identifier and drivers could get their hands on the new "75" plate on September 1.

However, certain combinations will be banned by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) because they could be seen as potentially offensive, distressing or provocative.

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A man fixing a number plate

Two new number plate identifiers will be released this year

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As part of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, the DVLA has unveiled the list of banned number plates that will not adorn the latest cars this year.

A handful of the restricted licence plates include "wildcard" plates which contain a partial string of characters deemed to be unsuitable for release.

These normally ban any two letter combinations from being used before the 25 identifier, followed by a certain three-letter end. Rude combinations include *25 LAG, **25 LUT and **25 HAG.

Some of the banned plates are in relation to ongoing conflicts around the world, including the war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the conflict in the Middle East.

Potential banned plates include AR25 WAR, EU25 WAR, GB25 WAR and GO25 WAR. Some of the war-related plates are also included in the wildcard banned list including **25 RUS and **25 UKR.

Mark Trimbee, CEO of Regtransfers, said it is "always entertaining" to see some of the plates designated by the DVLA as being too rude or provocative for use on the road.

However, he noted that it was a "necessary process" and that motorists should not have free reign of any number plate, regardless of whether it is self-expression or not.

He added: "They shouldn’t be used to display genuinely harmful messages or views. To ban or not to ban is obviously a bit of a balancing act."

Despite the extensive list of banned number plates, experts have pointed out that the DVLA does not put a blanket ban on certain combinations of numbers and letters despite being very similar.

For example, the banned list includes OR25 ASM as potentially offensive. But, the more obvious ORG 45M is currently available.

Trimbee added: "As well as the usual sex and violence references, there are those subtle combinations that don't seem to convey a clear meaning at first sight.

"With a little thought, however, we see how numbers such GB25 BAD, GB25 BOM, and GB25 SHT could seem to convey anti-British sentiments that might offend some."

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The full list of banned number plates in 2025

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