Number Plate Glossary
Every term you need to know when buying, selling or transferring a private number plate in the UK — explained in plain English.
A
Age Identifier
The part of a number plate that indicates the year (and sometimes half-year) the registration was issued. On current-style plates (e.g. AB12 XYZ), the two digits in the middle are the age identifier. Prefix plates use a single letter at the front (e.g. P123 ABC). Dateless and Northern Irish plates have no age identifier.
Assignment
The process of officially assigning a private number plate to a specific vehicle. Once assigned, the registration appears on the vehicle's V5C logbook. Assignment is carried out through the DVLA and typically requires the V5C and either a V750 or V778 certificate.
B
Budget Plate
An informal term for an affordable private number plate — typically a current-style registration with a less immediately meaningful combination, priced at the lower end of the market. At New Reg, budget plates start from £69.
C
Certificate of Entitlement (V750)
A DVLA document issued when you purchase an unissued registration from the DVLA or an authorised dealer. It entitles the holder to assign the registration to a qualifying vehicle. Valid for up to ten years. See also: V750.
Cherished Registration
An older private plate — typically dateless, pre-1963 — that has been retained and transferred over the years for its sentimental or investment value. The terms "cherished plate" and "cherished number" are used interchangeably with "private plate" and "personalised registration" in the trade.
CNDA
The Cherished Numbers Dealers Association — the trade body for private number plate dealers in the UK. CNDA members operate under a code of practice that protects buyers. New Reg is a CNDA member.
Current Style (New Style)
The plate format introduced in September 2001 and still in use today. Format: two regional letters, two age identifier digits, three random letters (e.g. AB12 XYZ). Issued by the DVLA twice a year — in March and September.
D
Dateless Plate
A registration that carries no year identifier — it reveals nothing about the age of the vehicle. Pre-1963 UK plates are dateless (e.g. A 1, 123 ABC). Northern Irish plates are also dateless. Dateless plates can be put on any vehicle regardless of its age, making them extremely versatile.
Dealer Transfer
A transfer handled by an authorised number plate dealer on behalf of a buyer. At New Reg, dealer transfer means our team manages all DVLA paperwork and correspondence, simplifying the process for the buyer.
DVLA
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency — the UK government body responsible for maintaining a database of vehicles and drivers. The DVLA issues registrations, processes transfers, and holds all vehicle records. Private plate transactions must ultimately be processed through the DVLA.
DVLA Personalised Registrations (DPR)
The arm of the DVLA that sells unissued registrations directly to the public, primarily through online auctions. New Reg is listed as a DVLA recognised reseller.
E
Entitlement
Legal ownership of a registration — the right to assign it to a vehicle. Entitlement is represented by a V750 or V778 certificate. When you buy a private plate, you are purchasing the entitlement to use that registration.
F
FCA
Financial Conduct Authority — the UK regulator for financial services. Where number plate dealers offer finance options, they must be FCA authorised. New Reg is authorised and regulated by the FCA (No. 626225).
Finance (Number Plate)
A payment option that allows you to spread the cost of a private plate over monthly instalments. New Reg offers finance through V12 Retail Finance, including 0% interest-free options. Available from £500.
I
Irish Plate / NI Plate
A registration issued in Northern Ireland. Always contains the letter I or Z. Dateless — carries no year identifier. Legal on any UK vehicle. Generally more affordable than equivalent English dateless plates. See Irish number plates.
N
Number Plate Valuation
An assessment of the market value of a private number plate. Valuations consider the format, length, letter combination, demand, and comparable sales. New Reg offers a free valuation service.
P
Personalised Registration
A number plate chosen for its appearance — typically spelling a name, word, or initials — rather than being assigned randomly by the DVLA. Interchangeable with "private plate", "private registration" and "cherished registration".
Prefix Plate
A plate format used from August 1983 to August 2001. Format: one letter (age identifier) followed by 1–3 numbers and three letters (e.g. P123 ABC). The prefix letter changes each August. See prefix number plates.
Price Match
New Reg's guarantee to match any like-for-like price on an unissued DVLA government stock plate. If you find the same plate cheaper elsewhere at the same time, we will beat it.
Private Plate / Private Number Plate
Any registration number chosen for its personal significance rather than assigned automatically. Includes dateless, suffix, prefix, current-style and Northern Irish formats. Also called a personalised plate, cherished plate, or private reg.
R
Regional Identifier
The two-letter code at the start of a current-style plate (e.g. AB12 XYZ) that indicates the DVLA local office where the registration was issued. Does not need to match the vehicle owner's location.
Retention / Retention Certificate
The process of removing a plate from a vehicle and holding it on a DVLA V778 certificate without assigning it elsewhere. The DVLA charges £80. See how to transfer a number plate.
S
SORN
Statutory Off Road Notification — a declaration that a vehicle is not being driven on public roads and does not need to be taxed. A vehicle on SORN can still have a private plate transferred to or from it.
Suffix Plate
A plate format used from January 1963 to July 1983. Format: three letters followed by 1–3 numbers and one letter (age identifier) at the end (e.g. ABC 123A). The suffix letter changes each August. See suffix number plates.
T
Transfer
Moving a private registration from one vehicle to another, or from a vehicle to a retention certificate (and vice versa). Transfers are processed through the DVLA. New Reg handles transfers on behalf of customers as part of the purchase process.
V
V5C (Logbook)
The vehicle registration document — commonly called the logbook. It records the registered keeper, vehicle details, and current registration. Required for most number plate transfer processes.
V750
A DVLA Certificate of Entitlement issued when you buy an unissued registration. Allows you to hold the plate for up to ten years before assigning it to a vehicle. Renewable.
V778
A DVLA Retention Certificate issued when you put a plate on retention (remove it from a vehicle). Valid for up to ten years. Allows the holder to assign the plate to another vehicle when ready.
Valuation
See: Number Plate Valuation.
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