DVLA Makes Final Ruling on Bristol Rovers Number Plate Dispute

Jackie and John Cooke loved Bristol Rovers. In 1997, they bought “N14GAS” for their car. The DVLA now says they can’t use it. “Gas” is a nickname for the Rovers football team. The DVLA thinks it sounds like a racial slur now.

The couple got a letter before Christmas stating the plate was “potentially offensive”. They appealed, hoping the change was temporary, but had to use a different plate during the appeal.

Two months later, they got another DVLA letter apologizing for any confusion caused. The DVLA often withholds plates due to political or racial issues, or because they are in bad taste.

The DVLA says the plate caused racial offense. They considered the couple’s concerns, but the decision remains unchanged. The plate is withdrawn permanently.

The DVLA will refund the £36 fee for the replacement plates. The couple expressed their anger to BristolLive, saying the racial sensitivity claim is outrageous.

The couple said this only works if numbers become letters and think people are just trying to find offense. John and Jackie are very offended by this decision and will tell the DVLA their thoughts.

They think DVLA should focus on fake plates, not them. John and Jackie plan to frame the old number plate and hang it in their home for all to see.

Since the story, they received lots of mail about their number plate. People worry postcodes could be offensive now, too. Some Enfield and London postcodes start with N14, such as N14 6AS and N14 4AA.

The couple wonders what happens to the postcodes. Royal Mail handles the postcodes with council input. The couple asks, “What will happen to these racist postcodes?” BristolLive contacted the DVLA for their view.