Private number plates give each vehicle a unique identity, making it easier for the DVLA to track owners. While the UK number plate format can seem complicated, it follows a distinct system based on letters, numbers, and key vehicle identifiers. 

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about current number plates and how they differ from legacy formats. 

How do Number Plates Work in the UK?

• JO21 OHN
• MA17 ARK

In 2001, the government introduced the current number plate system, which is still used in England, Wales, and Scotland today. Northern Ireland has a different format. This system was developed to ensure longevity after the available combinations for prior systems ran out. 

Introduced in 2001, current license plates consist of two letters, two numbers, and three random letters.

They run on a six-month cycle, with age identifiers changing each time. 

Before Brexit, cars would often have a vertical blue flash (a strip featuring the letters UK under the EU’s logo. 

The UK is no longer part of the EU, so new cars don’t have this strip. However, you can still drive an older car with the EU logo. 

It’s also possible to use ENG, UK, and SCO identifiers with the national flag. 

Why is the British Number Plate System Important?

The UK car number plate system plays a central role in ensuring drivers meet their legal obligations, while also protecting other road users: 

Identification: Authorities can identify each car and find its owner.

Tax and Registration: Number plates let the DVLA know that a vehicle is registered and tax-compliant. 

Law Enforcement: The police can identify stolen cars and hit-and-run offences using registration plate data. 

Compliance: The number plate shows the vehicle’s age and whether it’s emissions compliant. 

So, now you know the basics of the UK car registration format and why it’s important, it’s time to explore how the plates work in detail. 

The First Two Letters Show Where the Car Was Registered

The first two letters (also known as memory tags) detail the registration location. Even though the DVLA shut down its regional offices in 2013, the location identifier is still important. 

All new registrations go through the car dealerships, and the DVLA handles them online. When you buy a new or second-hand car, the number plate will depend on where you purchased it. 

Each region of the UK has a distinct area code. For example, cars registered in Manchester often start with the letter M, while those registered in London start with an L. 

The second letter refers to locations within the region. Let’s take London, for example: 

Cars registered in Wimbledon will have memory tags from LA to LJ. 

Cars registered in Sidcup have memory tags from LU to LY. 

As these plates focus on the registration location, they won’t change if the car moves to a different region. 

For example, if you live in Newcastle but bought a second-hand car that was registered in London, the plates will still begin with an L. 

The First Two Numbers Show When the Car Was Registered

The numbers can get confusing because they change every six months. While the system might seem overly complex, it’s one of the key reasons why the current number plate format ensures longevity. 

The car’s age identifier changes every six months. Vehicles registered between March and August have the year of registration. For example, a car registered in July 2024 has 24 plate. 

However, a car registered in December 2024 will have a 74 plate. 

How the September to February System Works

There’s a simple rule to the September to February system: it’s the numeric year plus 50. So, if a car was registered between September 2005 and February 2006, its identifier would be 56. 

Vehicles registered from September 2026 to February 2027 will have a 76 identifier. 

This table explains the format clearly from 2010 onwards:

Date (March to August)	Code	Date (Sept to Feb)	Code
March 2010 to Aug 2010	10	Sep 2010 to Feb 2011	60
March 2011 to Aug 2011	11	Sep 2011 to Feb 2012	61
March 2012 to Aug 2012	12	Sep 2012 to Feb 2013	62
March 2013 to Aug 2013	13	Sep 2013 to Feb 2014	63
March 2014 to Aug 2014	14	Sep 2014 to Feb 2015	64
March 2015 to Aug 2015	15	Sep 2015 to Feb 2016	65
March 2016 to Aug 2016	16	Sep 2016 to Feb 2017	66
March 2017 to Aug 2017	17	Sep 2017 to Feb 2018	67
March 2018 to Aug 2018	18	Sep 2018 to Feb 2019	68
March 2019 to Aug 2019	19	Sep 2019 to Feb 2020	69
March 2020 to Aug 2020	20	Sep 2020 to Feb 2021	70
March 2021 to Aug 2021	21	Sep 2021 to Feb 2022	71
March 2022 to Aug 2022	22	Sep 2022 to Feb 2023	72
March 2023 to Aug 2023	23	Sep 2023 to Feb 2024	73
March 2024 to Aug 2024	24	Sep 2024 to Feb 2025	74
March 2025 to Aug 2025	25	Sep 2025 to Feb 2026	75
March 2026 to Aug 2026	26	Sep 2026 to Feb 2027	76

The Last Three Letters Are Random

The last three letters of the number plate are random, allowing a diverse range of combinations. In most cases, car dealerships receive a batch of numbers, which are reassigned when the combinations are used up. 

You won’t find Q or I in current number plates, because they’re easily mistaken for 0 or 1. However, modern plate formats do include the letter Z. 

Why Do Some New Plates Have a Green Strip?

Some cars have a vertical green strip where the EU strip used to be. Due to the government’s Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, which aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, newer electric cars can use a green identifier. 

The strip isn’t essential, but it can be beneficial for accessing initiatives. For example, electric cars may be tax-exempt from London’s Low-Emissions Zones and can access cheaper parking in some locations. 

Older Plate Systems

The UK number plate format has a diverse history, dating back to 1903. While you can’t display plates that post-date your vehicle, there are plenty of options available when you explore old UK number plate formats. 

For example, if you’re looking for private number plates, personalised registration specialists like SwiftReg can help you find and buy a combination that aligns with your personality. 

Prefix Number Plates

The prefix number plate system ran from 1983 to 2001, and it used the following format: 

An age identifying first letter from August to July each year (A for Aug 1983 to July 1984, B for August 1984 to July 1985, all the way up to Y). 

A random combination of three numbers (e.g. 584). 

The following letters detail the area code (e.g. BNE for Manchester). 

Prefix number plates are still popular with private buyers because the combination of letters and numbers makes it easy to find personalisation options. 

Suffix Number Plates

• JOE 61N
• MAR 97K
• JAM 2Y

Suffix number plates were introduced in the 1960s and replaced by prefix plates in 1983. They used the following format: 

• Three letters indicating the vehicle’s registration location, followed by an area code. 
• Up to three random numbers are the differentiators. 
• A final letter that represents the registration year (the suffix). For example, A was 1963, while Y ran from August 1982 to July 1983. 

Suffix plates are available for any car registered after 1983. If your car was registered between 1963 and 1983, you can only use the same letters for that year or earlier age identifiers. 

Dateless Number Plates

• 9 ENG
• VWM 2
• IJZ 2

Dateless number plates are one of the most popular options for private buyers due to their flexibility. Because these plates lack any identifiers, they’re ideal for personalisation. 

While you can find some affordable dateless plates, popular combinations like A1 and first-name combinations can cost thousands.

For example, the 25 O plate sold for over £500,000 at auction, due to its match for Ferrari’s legendary 250 Series car. 

Final Thoughts

While the question of how do UK number plates work might seem like it has a complicated answer, it’s actually quite simple when you break it down. Current number plate formats were introduced to offer more combinations and ensure a long-lasting system. 

However, if you’d like more flexibility with your plates or want to make a statement, choosing prefix, suffix, or dateless options can be beneficial. With so many combinations available, it’s hard to know where to start. Our number plate search tool makes everything easier. View available combinations, compare prices, and enjoy a convenient purchase process.