If someone is driving around with a copy of your registration number, you may not find out until a fine or court summons arrives. This guide covers exactly what to do if you suspect — or know — your plate has been cloned.
The DVLA received 11,394 reports of cloned plates in 2025, up 41% since 2020. One driver was hit with £8,500 in ULEZ fines from a cloned plate (The Guardian, May 2026).
Step 1: Contact the fine issuer immediately
If you have received a fine, PCN, or charge you do not recognise, contact the issuing authority first — before the deadline expires. Explain your vehicle was not at the location and that you suspect cloning.
- Council parking PCNs: Appeal via the council website with your crime reference number
- Speeding fines: Contact the police force that issued it
- ULEZ / Congestion Charge: Appeal via TfL representation process
- Private parking charges: Contact the operator, then escalate to POPLA if needed
Step 2: Report to the police
Call 101 or report online via your local force vehicle cloning reporting form. Get a crime reference number — this is essential for every appeal. Some forces have dedicated online cloning report forms.
Step 3: Notify the DVLA
Contact the DVLA to report that your registration has been cloned. They can flag your vehicle in their system and, in serious cases, may offer you a replacement registration number.
Step 4: Gather evidence
Collect: photos of your vehicle showing distinguishing features (dents, stickers, modifications), dashcam footage showing your location at the time of the offence, time-stamped photos proving you were elsewhere, and any photos the fine issuer has sent you.
Step 5: Notify your insurer
Even if no accident has occurred, tell your insurance company. If the clone vehicle is later involved in a collision, your insurer may be contacted — and you will want a record that you reported the cloning.
Step 6: Check for online images
Criminals often find vehicles to clone from photos on social media and marketplace listings. Search Facebook, AutoTrader, eBay, and Gumtree for your registration number. If you find photos of your car that you did not post, request their removal.
Step 7: Keep records of everything
Keep copies of all correspondence — crime reference number, DVLA confirmation, appeal submissions, and responses from fine issuers. If fines escalate to court or bailiffs, this paperwork is your defence.
More help
To stop this happening again, read our guide on preventing number plate cloning, or find answers to common questions in our number plate cloning FAQ.