The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has released a statement in response to withdrawing a customised number plate that a Bristol Rovers-supporting couple had owned for nearly three decades. Jackie and John Cooke, a married couple from Frampton Cotterell in North Bristol, bought the ‘N14 GAS’ registration number in 1997, reportedly on the recommendation of DVLA staff.
The numbers held sentimental value for the couple, symbolising ‘Number one for the Gas’, a reference to their beloved Bristol Rovers nickname. However, just before Christmas, the couple received a letter from the DVLA stating that their number plate had been withdrawn due to its potential to be deemed ‘offensive’ and misinterpreted as a racial slur.
The DVLA has since commented on the matter, with a spokesperson stating: “DVLA regularly reviews the appropriateness of registration numbers and withholds any numbers that may cause offence, embarrassment or are in poor taste.
“On the rare occasion where potentially offensive numbers slip through the net, steps are taken to withdraw the registration number.”
According to the DVLA’s guidelines on personalised number plates, if a registration number displayed on a vehicle is found to be potentially offensive, the agency considers whether it should be withdrawn from use. The DVLA has stated that when a decision is made to remove a car registration number, updates will be promptly made to its records and the vehicle owner will be notified, reports Bristol Live.
However, there can be a brief gap between the record update and the arrival of the notification letter at the owners address.
Jackie Cooke expressed her outrage, saying: “In 27 years, no one has ever complained about this registration number being offensive. The DVLA removed ‘N14GAS’ from the GOV website on Dec 4, before informing my husband, who is the registered keeper.”
She continued to share her frustration: “Our car registration was changed back to the original registration number, which we were totally unaware of, as the letter from the DVLA only arrived late in the day on Dec 7.”
Highlighting the content of the correspondence they received, the letter states: “The Agency adopts a clear policy of withdrawing potentially offensive registration numbers either from normal issue or from its sales scheme. Such marks are withdrawn if they are likely to cause offence or embarrassment to the general population in this country on the grounds of political, racial and religious sensitivities, or simply because they are in poor taste.”
John and Jackie were informed by the DVLA that they have the option to pick a new registration plate valued up to £250 which is what they initially paid back in 1997. Jackie said: “We still have the receipt, no mention is made of inflation. We are incensed that we are to lose our treasured car registration and it is seriously affecting our mental health.”
Jackie and John subsequently received another letter, dated December 17, outlining an alternative number plate registration ‘JJ64GAS’, which the couple have opted for. They continue to hope that this will be a provisional measure and their original number plate can be reinstated.