Today it was announced that on-the-spot fines for illegal number plates are to double from £30 to £60.

The DVLA are very specific as to how a legal number plate should be displayed - including font, letter size, and spacing.

This includes failure to conform with rules on font, size and colour of number plates. The use of illegal number plates can have a significant impact on criminal investigations and crime detection.

say the DVLA.

The fine could be in addition to a 3-point penalty on your license. Repeated offence could even lead to the registration number being confiscated.

The increase in fine also applies for failing to use a seatbelt.