The current format: AB12 CDE
Every car registered in Great Britain since 1 September 2001 has a registration in this format:
| Part | Example | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Memory tag (2 letters) | AB | The first letter is the region where the vehicle was first registered; the second relates to a DVLA area within it |
| Age identifier (2 numbers) | 12 | When the vehicle was first registered – it changes every March and September |
| Random letters (3 letters) | CDE | Chosen at random to make the registration unique |
So a car registered as LA26 XYZ was first registered in the London area between March and August 2026.
The letters I, Q and Z aren't used in the memory tag, and some letter combinations are never issued because they could be offensive.
How the age identifier works
The number changes twice a year:
- 1 March: the last two digits of the year – 26 for March 2026
- 1 September: the same number plus 50 – 76 for September 2026
See the full table in number plate age identifiers explained.
Older formats
Before 2001, registrations used a single prefix or suffix letter to show the year – for example "A123 BCD" (prefix style, 1983 onwards) or "ABC 123A" (suffix style, 1963–1983). Even older "dateless" registrations, such as "ABC 123" or "1 AB", have no year identifier at all. These are popular as private plates because they can go on a vehicle of any age.
Northern Ireland plates
Northern Ireland uses a different system, with registrations such as ABZ 1234. They always include the letter I or Z and have no age identifier, so they're also sought after as private plates.
What is a private plate?
A private, personalised or "cherished" plate is a registration number you buy separately and put on your own vehicle – for example one that spells a name, initials or a word. You can buy one from DVLA or from a dealer, keep it on a certificate until you need it, and move it between your vehicles.
The key rule is that a private registration can't make your vehicle look newer than it is. Find out more in private number plate rules and how to buy and transfer a private plate.