277Offence for unauthorised removal or defacement of vehicle defect label

277 Offence for unauthorised removal or defacement of vehicle defect label A person, other than a person referred to in regulation 274(4), must not remove or deface a vehicle defect label which has been affixed to a vehicle unless authorised to do so by— (a) the Secretary; or (b) an officer of a corresponding registration authority; or (c) an authorised officer. Part 8—General offences and exemptions Division 1—General offences that apply to all vehicles 278 Altered number plates (1) A person must not use a vehicle displaying an altered number plate on a highway. (2) The registered operator of a vehicle must take reasonable steps to ensure that the vehicle is not used on a highway while displaying an altered number plate. (3) An owner of an unregistered vehicle must take reasonable steps to ensure that the vehicle is not used on a highway while displaying an altered number plate. (4) A person other than a person referred to in subregulation (1), (2) or (3) who has control or use of a vehicle must not cause or permit the vehicle to be used on a highway while displaying an altered number plate. (5) A person must not affix or cause to be affixed or permit another person to affix an altered number plate to a vehicle which is used on a highway by any person.