DVLA releases new list of banned number plates

Registration plate on the front of a generic motorcar with "Nu Reg" in black letters on white background for New car sales

The DVLA has released a list of banned licence plates that are "likely to cause general offence or embarrassment" including VA61 ANA, UP15 BUM and PR15 SON.

Licence plates, such as JE55 US and BL03 JOB are also banned, while ORG 45M and PEN 15 are allowed.

The 49-page list of "suppressed" car licence plates ranges from the politically or religiously sensitive to the homophobic and just poor taste.

A man called Islam, who did not give his full name, told the Guardian: "I made an inquiry to the DVLA about the possibility of obtaining '15LAM', only to be told that this was an inappropriate licence plate.

"I'm not particularly religious, but I am proud of my name. I was thinking of buying the plate as a gift for my brother. To be told that my name is offensive is really upsetting."

Some of the most unusual forbidden plates include AL60 POP, GU11 LTY and PR05 TAT.

The Evening Standard reports that last week the registration number KR15 HNA sold for £233,000 at auction.

The most expensive licence plate ever bought from the DVLA was for 25 0 at £518,000.

See the full list of banned licence plates here.