Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is urging drivers to ensure they have clean number plates on all their road journeys or they risk a fine of up to £1,000 if their number plate is dirty and can’t be read easily.

GEM road safety officer Neil Worth says having a clear, legible number plate is vital. “A number plate must be readable and not covered by dirt,” he explains. “This is to ensure a vehicle can be identified as and when required.

“At this time of year it’s easy for a number plate to get so dirty that it cannot be read. This is usually caused by muck on damp road surfaces that ends up on the rear of a car.

“Although there is no law against having a dirty car, the law is very clear when it comes to keeping your number plates clear; you risk a £1,000 fine if you allow it to become obscured.”

GEM is encouraging drivers to ‘clean their plate’ before every journey to ensure they comply with the law and steer clear of a substantial fine.

“It makes sense to get into the habit of giving your number plate a regular wipe – every day when conditions require. Do the same for your front and rear lights, and you will be doing your bit for safety during this risky time of year,” added Neil Worth.

Cracked and damaged number plates can also be difficult to see properly, so a replacement could be the best solution.

For details about purchasing a new number plate to replace a damaged one, see https://www.ukregplates.co.uk