TAXIS TARGETED: Cloned number plates on black cabs pose growing risk in London for drivers, fleets and passengers
- Perry Richardson
- Aug 10
- 2 min read
Taxi rental firm Colts Cabs has warned drivers and the public about cloned plates appearing on vehicles presenting as licensed taxis in the capital. In a recent post on X, the large rental firm urged anyone who sees a suspected cloned taxi to contact police.
Vehicle cloning involves criminals copying a genuine registration and fixing it to another vehicle to hide identity and avoid enforcement for offences such as speeding, parking, congestion and clean air zone charges. The Metropolitan Police advise victims to report suspected cloning and contact the issuing authority for any penalties received.
For the black cab trade the threat is twofold. First, innocent drivers can face penalties and administrative hassle as tickets and notices pile up against the wrong vehicle. Second, a cloned vehicle passing itself off as a taxi is unlikely to have a licensed driver or valid public hire insurance, placing passengers and other road users at risk.
Transport for London data shows cloning is a recognised factor in appeals. Freedom of Information responses indicate that PCNs cancelled due to cloning represent a small proportion of all penalties, but cases persist month after month. That still leaves licensed drivers investing time to prove their innocence and protect their records.
When a vehicle is confirmed as cloned, the police can add a marker to the Police National Computer and ANPR databases to help locate the suspect vehicle and avoid repeated wrongful stops of the genuine one. There is no single stand-alone offence for plate cloning, but offences can be pursued under existing legislation.
Taxi drivers and fleet operators who suspect cloning are advised to report it to the police as a non-emergency, keep evidence such as GPS logs and work records, and notify the authority that issued any penalties. DVLA should also be informed so records can be flagged. These steps help protect drivers from further enforcement and assist investigations.
