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How Are UK Number Plates Decided?

What’s the procedure for how the UK license plate system function and what do the numbers and letters signify? We can decode the system used to identify number plates

Every vehicle in the UK must have an identification number plate. It is sometimes referred to as a registration plate or for Americans it’s a license plate. This distinctive combination of numbers and letters can be used as a way of identifying the car, similar to similar to a driving licence that is a way to identify the driver of the car.

Numerous plates are issued by and monitored through the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) and function as a unique number that allows you to get certain information regarding a vehicle or the driver. This includes everything from councils imposing parking fines, to the police monitoring stolen vehicles, and even checking the MOT record of the car you’re considering purchasing.

What do individual numerals and letters mean and how do you read the current British numbers plate?

What is the purpose of registration plates?

The current system for number plates that is in use in the UK was established in 2001. The system is laid out in a format that consists that consists of two letters then two numbers, then by three letters. These numbers are displayed on both sides of the vehicle, with white plates on the front and in a yellow one at the rear. They may be rectangular or square.

The initial two letters:

The initial two letters act as an area-specific identifier that indicates which area the car was registered. For instance, plates that begin with BA up to BY are registered within the Birmingham region, whereas VA to VY is for plates registered within the Severn Valley.

Two numbers:

The two numbers function as a identifier of age and represent an entire six-month period during which the vehicle was registered. The timeframes run from March to August or from September to February. The dates change between the 1st of March and September each year.
The March codes are based on the year of registration. For instance that a car that was registered during March of 2017 would be tagged with the code 17.
If you register a car between September and February, it is coded as the number plus the years. thus a car registered during September 2017 will be registered with the code 67.

The three characters that are the last:

The three letters at the end of the registration plate for your car is the sole one that do not mean any significance whatsoever. They’re generated randomly.
The three letters that end in ‘Z’ are the only places you’ll see a ‘Z’ on the registration plate as well The letter ‘Z’ has never been utilized for local memories tags.


The peak in sales for vehicles is usually when the plates change, which results in the sales of cars to increase in the months of March and September every year. If you’re looking for an affordable deal, look just prior to these times – when dealers want to get rid of the most of their inventory as they can, with an ‘old number plate’ on.

What else could be on the number plate?

Number plates could also feature flags of the country, such as the Union flag as well as and the St George Cross, the St Andrew Cross or the red dragon of Wales. They can also be displayed with letters that identify the country that is being mentioned.

Prior to Brexit cars that displayed both ‘GB’ and Union flag for the EU were not required to put a separate “GB sticker when traveling abroad, however this has changed which makes its inclusion purely decorative.

As of until the end of 2020 electric vehicles were allowed to show a green square to the left side of the plate, signalling them as zero-emissions.

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What is the matter with personal number plates?

The rules for personalized numbers are more complicated However, in general, everything is allowed on private number plates so long as it’s clear and not offensive.

Numerous ‘cherished’ plates are generally available to purchase from certain number plate dealers who are able to locate the number plate you’re searching for.

What do I do with what can I do with a UK license plate?

Number plates are valuable details to keep, and they can be useful when you’re looking to buy or sell the car. With the number plate it is possible to get an approximate value for the car to be sure you’re getting an appropriate price.

It is also possible to check the status of your vehicle’s MOT and background through Gov.UK. Gov.UK website to ensure there’s no hidden history that you aren’t aware of. It’s an excellent idea to conduct the HPI check to be aware of outstanding financial or write-offs of vehicles.

Are you able to preserve an older registration number?

If you have to scrap an old car, you can keep the registration plate , however when it’s a standard registration plate, it can’t be used in the next vehicle.

If you have private number plates, that you want to transfer a new car online or via sending it to the DVLA It’s completely free.