People are using 'ghost' number plates to avoid getting caught for dangerous driving, according to an MP who is attempting to change the law.
They reflect light back, preventing the registration number from being clearly seen by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
The scale of number plate misuse is unclear but one estimate suggests around 1 in 15 plates could be modified in some way.
Tony Porter, the UK's former surveillance camera commissioner, said: "ANPR and the humble number plate is hot-wired into the UK's road safety.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said: "Drivers manipulating their number plates in any way is a serious offence.
