UK Number Plate Styles Guide

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Over the years, the UK registration system has evolved, resulting in several distinct styles of number plates. Understanding these styles can help you choose the perfect personalized registration for your vehicle. Note that you cannot assign a registration number to a vehicle that makes it appear newer than it actually is.

Current Style (2001 - Present)

AB12 CDE

Example: AB12 CDE

Introduced in September 2001, this format consists of:

  • 2 Letters (Memory Tag): Indicates the region where the vehicle was registered (e.g., 'L' for London).
  • 2 Numbers (Age Identifier): Identifies the age of the vehicle. (e.g., '12' for March 2012, '62' for Sept 2012).
  • 3 Letters (Random): A random combination to distinguish the vehicle.

Example: AB12 CDE represents a vehicle registered in Anglia (A) Birmingham (B) in March 2012.

Prefix Style (1983 - 2001)

A123 ABC

Example: A123 ABC

Used from August 1983 to August 2001. The first letter indicates the year of issue.

  • 1 Prefix Letter: Indicates the year (e.g., 'A' = 1983).
  • 1-3 Numbers: Differentiating numbers.
  • 3 Letters: Often indicated the area of registration.

Popular for names using the prefix letter (e.g., S1 MON for Simon).

Suffix Style (1963 - 1983)

ABC 123A

Example: ABC 123A

Used from 1963 to 1983. The format is the reverse of the Prefix style, with the age identifier at the end.

  • 3 Letters: Area code/random.
  • 1-3 Numbers: Differentiating numbers.
  • 1 Suffix Letter: Indicates the year (e.g., 'A' = 1963).

Classic looking plates often used to hide the age of older classic cars.

Dateless Style (Pre-1963)

ABC 1

Example: ABC 1

The original registration format used before 1963.

  • No Year Identifier: Can be assigned to a vehicle of any age.
  • Format: Combinations of letters and numbers (e.g., 'ABC 1' or '1 ABC').

These are highly sought after as they conceal the age of the vehicle and are often shorter (e.g., 3x1 or 2x1 formats).

Northern Ireland Style

ABZ 1234

Example: ABZ 1234

Issued in Northern Ireland, these plates are dateless and can inevitably assigned to any age of vehicle.

  • Contains 'I' or 'Z': Always include 'I' or 'Z' in the letter combination.
  • Format: Typically 3 letters followed by up to 4 numbers.

A cost-effective way to get a dateless registration to hide your vehicle's age.

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