Illegal Speed Camera Spray Causes Controversy

If you've arrived on this page searching for products which might disguise, distort or hide your number plate from speed traps or police cameras, there are just two things you need to know. Take a minute to read this article, save yourself a lot of grief and maybe some money, too.

1. Attempting to hide or disguise your number plate is illegal

The law states that:

“Number plates should show your vehicle registration number correctly. You can’t rearrange letters or numbers, or alter them so that they’re hard to read.”

This clearly rules out trying to hide or disguise your number plate using these types of reflective sprays or films. Offenders can be fined up to £1,000. Other likely consequences are your car failing its MOT, penalty points on your licence and having to pay higher premiums for car insurance.

2. Save your money - those products don't work

You've probably seen products that claim to leave a reflective coating on the number plate that's invisible to the naked eye but will reflect a flash from speed cameras.

One small problem:

Laser operated cameras aren't hampered at all by number plate-disguising products as they don't use any kind of flash.

Even on other types of camera, the police, as you might imagine in the 21st century, have a few technical tricks up their sleeve, applying filters which can enhance the image to make it readable again. 

These products can also fade or be washed away over time, so their effectiveness is time-limited at best; you'll know when your number's up (if you'll pardon the pun), when the fine and a demand to endorse your licence drops through your door.

Why you should care

The resulting points on your licence can make it much more difficult to find affordable car insurance. We can help with that - we specialise in helping drivers in tricky situations - but there's no denying that fewer insurers will consider you. Wouldn't you rather leave your options wide open?