If you are a taxi driver or a private hire vehicle driver you may be interested to read about ghost plates but please do not consider using them. This is because they are illegal and a taxi driver has recently had his taxi license revoked and received a substantial fine for using them.

So what are ghost plates? Well they are vehicle number plates with a reflective coating that results in the likes of speed cameras and bus lane cameras being unable to correctly read the registration plates on vehicles.

Apparently, ghost plates are used in significant numbers that is most concerning. If a vehicle is exceeding the speed limit then the driver is putting himself or herself and his or her passengers as well as other drivers and pedestrians at risk of being involved in a road traffic accident. Can you imagine the potential consequences of someone either being killed or seriously injured? We are sure that you will agree, it doesn’t really bear thinking about.

A motorist caught using ghost plates could end up being banned fro driving for a period, get penalty points on their driving license and receive a significant fine. If they are employed say as a salesperson and need a car for work they could end up loosing their job. For some motorists who need to drive a car for a living such as a taxi driver or private hire vehicle driver who are caught using ghost plates they could find themselves having to look for alternative employment.

In addition, their car insurance premiums could increase significantly or they may even find it difficult to obtain affordable cover elsewhere for a period of time as there may be some motor insurance companies who will not consider insuring such motorist found guilty of using ghost plates.

So, if you are a taxi driver or the driver of a private hire vehicle or a driver of any vehicle do not take the risk of having ghost plates fitted to your car. It really is not worth taking the risk of being caught. Far better to stick to the speed limit at all times.