Publications
Partners
Britain's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has ordered a car owner to remove a licence plate for being offensive to other drivers.
Alan Clarke paid the equivalent of R4 360 for the plate, bought through the DVLA’s website, and put it on his Range Rover. The allegedly offence number plate reads B011 LUX. If you’re unsure what it refers to, replace the "11" for two Ls.
'I'M NOT BACKING DOWN'
He received a letter from the DVLA demanding the removal of his plate as it was “causing offence”. Clarke says that if he does not comply he could be looking at a R10 000 fine but he's standing firm despite the looming penalty.
"I'm not backing down," he said. "It's my plate and I'm not taking it off. They said it was causing offence and I had to remove it, and they are threatening to criminalise me.”
He says it's bizarre that the government agency would place an allegedly offensive licence plate on its website, sell it to him, and then demand that he remove it.
A BA11S UP
"I saw it there and thought it would be fun to put it on my new car. Everyone laughs when they see it."
Clarke says he's been offered a “normal plate” as a replacement but he comments that the website shows similarly offensive plates. If you’re searching the site you can find naughty plates such as 'BU11 LUX' (R4425), SP57 ANK (R8906), F6 CKS (R6666) and 'BAL 4S' (R4917).
In response, the DVLA states that it tries to curb offensive designs but will take action if an offending plate slips through… or rather is sold by them. "We try to identify combinations that may cause offence. When potentially offensive plates slip through the net, steps are taken to withdraw the registration number."
Regarding the B011 LUX plate, the DVLA commented: "This plate has been withdrawn, therefore it is an offence for the driver to still display it. He will receive a refund."
Alan Clarke paid the equivalent of R4 360 for the plate, bought through the DVLA’s website, and put it on his Range Rover. The allegedly offence number plate reads B011 LUX. If you’re unsure what it refers to, replace the "11" for two Ls.
'I'M NOT BACKING DOWN'
He received a letter from the DVLA demanding the removal of his plate as it was “causing offence”. Clarke says that if he does not comply he could be looking at a R10 000 fine but he's standing firm despite the looming penalty.
"I'm not backing down," he said. "It's my plate and I'm not taking it off. They said it was causing offence and I had to remove it, and they are threatening to criminalise me.”
He says it's bizarre that the government agency would place an allegedly offensive licence plate on its website, sell it to him, and then demand that he remove it.
A BA11S UP
"I saw it there and thought it would be fun to put it on my new car. Everyone laughs when they see it."
Clarke says he's been offered a “normal plate” as a replacement but he comments that the website shows similarly offensive plates. If you’re searching the site you can find naughty plates such as 'BU11 LUX' (R4425), SP57 ANK (R8906), F6 CKS (R6666) and 'BAL 4S' (R4917).
In response, the DVLA states that it tries to curb offensive designs but will take action if an offending plate slips through… or rather is sold by them. "We try to identify combinations that may cause offence. When potentially offensive plates slip through the net, steps are taken to withdraw the registration number."
Regarding the B011 LUX plate, the DVLA commented: "This plate has been withdrawn, therefore it is an offence for the driver to still display it. He will receive a refund."
