New Registration Format

A guide to the New Registration Format

On 1st September 2001, registrations took on a new format.

The new registration format combined with new rules for the display and construction of acrylic number plates will make number plates easier to read and remember.



Two letter regional identifier.
The first two letters of the registration show the region where the vehicle was first registered. This will help with the recall of registrations and the identification of vehicles.

» The first letter represents the region

» And, the second relates to a DVLA * Local Office.

Using the above example, "AB" shows a vehicle was first registered in Anglia (A) at the DVLA's Peterborough office (B). For a full list of regional identifiers and their respective regions and DVLA * offices click here.

Two figure age identifier
The age identifier will change every six months in March and September. In the above example, "12" represents the 6 month period from March 2012 to August 2012. For a full list of age identifiers and when they will be issued click here.


Three random letters The three random letters provide a random element to make each registration unique.

Combinations that may be considered offensive as well as the Letters "I" and "Q" will be excluded from this element of the registration.