Number Plate Search Results Explained

Our number plate search results are designed to be easy to navigate, so you can find your dream number plate with minimal fuss.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly what to expect when you search for your ideal private number plate using the SwiftReg number plate search.

Search Results Page and the Types of Number Plates Available

After typing in your selected keyword using our number plate search, you will be taken to the results page. Here you will be shown five different types of results.

Premium Registrations

The first results you will see are our premium registration options. These are the plates our algorithm selects as the most relevant and desirable for your chosen search term.

You have the option to save your desired plate for later by pressing the heart button.

You can learn more about the plate, how it would look on a car, and all its associated costs by clicking the view plate button.

Or, if you think you’ve found the one, you can click the buy now button and go straight to the checkout process.

New Style / Current Style Number Plates

Scroll down the page and you will see more number options split into the four popular UK plate systems.

The first options you will see are from the current number plate system in England, which has been in effect since 2001.

Current style plates can be easily recognised by the age identifier that appears after the first two letters. For example, a current style plate with “13” means it was released in 2013.

It’s illegal to put a newer plate on an older car, so make sure you check your car is eligible for the plate before you buy.

Prefix Number Plates

The next set of options are from the prefix number plate system. This plate system was used between 1983 and 2001.

Each plate is split into three sections:

• The first letter is the age identifier. For instance, the letter A means a car was registered between August 1983 and July 1984.
• The next three characters are random numbers used to distinguish the car from other vehicles registered during that period.
• The final three letters, usually the final two, are the area code. For example, the letter “AN” indicates the car was registered in Reading.

Dateless Number Plates

The next set of results are dateless number plates. A dateless number plate is a type of UK number plate that doesn’t show an age identifier. As such, it can be assigned to any vehicle.

They were the first type of number plate released in the UK and usually feature a simple letter region code and a unique number to identify the vehicle.

Suffix Number Plates

The final results section you will see is plates from the suffix system.

A suffix number plate is a style of car registration used in the UK between 1963 and July 1983. It uses a letter at the end of the plate to indicate the car’s year of registration.

• The first three letters indicate the area where the vehicle was first registered.
• The numbers (up to three digits) are random and help distinguish between vehicles registered in the same region.
• The final letter is the suffix and shows the year of registration.

Desktop vs Mobile Searching

Our number plate search tools work seamlessly across all devices. Desktop searches are ideal for comparing multiple results, while mobile searches are best for on-the-go inspiration and quick availability checks.

Ready to Find Your Personalised Number Plate?

Whether you’re looking for prefix, dateless, current or other formats, you’ll find a variety of options at SwiftReg. If you know exactly what you’re looking for, get started with the search bar today.

Need some inspiration? The Make Your Own Plate tool is there to help.

Once you’ve found the ideal plate, you can move on to the next steps, including purchasing it and transferring ownership.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.