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Car enthusiasts mark their calendars for March and September each year, as these are the months when the newest vehicles roll into UK showrooms with fresh registration plates. In 2026, new cars will display either '26' (March to August) or '76' (September to February) as their age identifier, continuing the system introduced in 2001.
These biannual registration changes have become synonymous with new model launches and manufacturer facelifts. For many buyers, March and September prove the perfect opportunity to secure the newest version of their desired vehicle, complete with the latest features and technology.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explain exactly how the UK number plate system works, what to expect from 2026 registrations, current banned combinations, and everything you need to know about modern registration plates – including green EV plates. Read on to find out more…
The current number plate format was introduced in September 2001 and consists of seven characters. These are formed of two letters, two numbers, and three final letters (e.g., AB26 CDE or AB76 CDE for 2026 vehicles). Below, we break down the number plate format in more detail.
The age identifier is the middle two numbers that indicate the year and six-month period when the vehicle was first registered. For example:
This means identifying a vehicle's age is straightforward. A car registered in March 2026 displays '26', while one registered from September 2026 shows '76'. When we reach 2051, the system will reset to 01/51.
The local memory tag letters show where the vehicle was registered. The first letter represents the region, while the second identifies the specific DVLA office. For example, 'LA' through 'LY' indicates London registration.
These are assigned randomly to each dealership, giving every vehicle a unique identity.
However, there are some letters that are never or rarely used, including the letter 'Q', which is reserved for vehicles whose age or origin is uncertain. The letters 'I' and 'Z' are never used in these positions to avoid confusion with numbers.
Understanding when new number plates are released helps car buyers time their purchase accordingly.
| Period | Age Identifier | Example Plate | Registration Dates |
| March-August 2026 | 26 | AB26 CDE | 1st March - 31st August 2026 |
| September 2026-February 2027 | 76 | AB76 CDE | 1st September 2026 - 28th February 2027 |
| March-August 2027 | 27 | AB27 CDE | 1st March - 31st August 2027 |
| September 2027-February 2028 | 77 | AB77 CDE | 1st September 2027 - 29th February 2028 |
From the latest number plate system's introduction in 2001 through to today's 2026 plates:
| Year : | 1st March - August End : | 1st September - February End : |
| *2001 / 02 | 51 | |
| 2002 / 03 | 02 | 52 |
| 2003 / 04 | 03 | 53 |
| 2004 / 05 | 04 | 54 |
| 2005 / 06 | 05 | 55 |
| 2006 / 07 | 06 | 56 |
| 2007 / 08 | 07 | 57 |
| 2008 / 09 | 08 | 58 |
| 2009 / 10 | 09 | 59 |
| 2010 / 11 | 10 | 60 |
| 2011 / 12 | 11 | 61 |
| 2012 / 13 | 12 | 62 |
| 2013 / 14 | 13 | 63 |
| 2014 / 15 | 14 | 64 |
| 2015 / 16 | 15 | 65 |
| 2016 / 17 | 16 | 66 |
| 2017 / 18 | 17 | 67 |
| 2018 / 19 | 18 | 68 |
| 2019 / 20 | 19 | 69 |
| 2020 / 21 | 20 | 70 |
| 2021 / 22 | 21 | 71 |
| 2022 / 23 | 22 | 72 |
| 2023 / 24 | 23 | 73 |
| 2024 / 25 | 24 | 74 |
| 2025 / 26 | 25 | 75 |
| 2026 / 27 | 26 | 76 |
*The system began in September 2001 with ‘51’ plates. The current format continues until 2051, when '01' and '51'.
Every region in the UK has designated letter combinations that identify where a vehicle was first registered. Here's the complete breakdown of these areas across the country (you’ll notice that the letter ‘Z’ is never used as a regional identifier):
| First Letter : | UK Region : | Postal Area : | Memory Tag Identifier : |
| A | Anglia |
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| B | Birmingham |
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| C | Cymru |
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| D | Deeside to Shrewsbury |
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| E | Essex |
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| F | Forest and Fens |
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| G | Garden of England |
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| H | Hampshire and Dorset |
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| K | East Midlands and Hertfordshire |
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| L | London |
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| M | Manchester and Merseyside |
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| N | North |
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| O | Oxford |
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| P | Preston |
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| R | Reading |
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| S | Scotland |
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| V | Severn Valley |
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| W | West of England |
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| Y | Yorkshire |
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The 2026 new car registration follows the established pattern with two distinct identifiers. These are:
From 1st March to 31st August 2026, new vehicles registered will display '26' as the age identifier. Example combinations include:
From 1st September 2026 to 28th February 2027, new registrations will show '76'. Example combinations include:
The September registration is calculated as the current year (2026) plus 50, resulting in 76. This pattern continues into 2027, meaning vehicles registered in September will have '77' plates, and so on.
The DVLA maintains strict control over potentially offensive registration combinations. Each year, hundreds of letter-number combinations are blacklisted before they can be issued to the public. For 2026, the DVLA has banned numerous combinations that could be considered one of the following:
While we haven’t listed specific banned combinations here, common patterns include plates that could spell out swear words, crude phrases, or controversial acronyms when combined with strategic spacing or fonts. The DVLA reviews potential combinations twice yearly before each registration period.
If you're considering a personalised plate, we recommend you check availability through the official DVLA registrations website first. The DVLA offers millions of acceptable combinations, making it easy to find something unique without straying into banned territory.
It’s important to understand that attempting to alter spacing, fonts, or characters to make a standard plate appear offensive is illegal and can result in a £1,000 fine and your vehicle failing its MOT. You’ve been warned!
One of the most visible changes to UK roads in recent years has been the introduction of green number plates for zero-emission vehicles.
Introduced in December 2020, green number plates feature a distinctive green flash on the left-hand side (or at the bottom for rear plates in some configurations). This green strip is the only visual difference from standard plates.
These distinctive number plates are only visible on vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions, such as fully electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. All other vehicles aren’t eligible to feature a green number plate.
The green flash on EV number plates has several purposes, including:
When you own an electric vehicle, a green number plate isn’t compulsory, instead it’s an optional addition. However, most EV buyers opt for the green flash number plate as it provides many practical benefits.
New registration plates are released twice per year in the UK. These are:
This twice-yearly system serves two main purposes:
With millions of new vehicles registered annually, the system generates enough unique combinations to accommodate all registrations without running out.
The age identifier makes it immediately obvious when a vehicle was first registered, which is valuable for assessing a vehicle's age during sale or purchase.
As the largest family-run new car supermarket in the South of England, here at Wilsons in Epsom, Surrey, we proudly represent 12 leading manufacturers across our state-of-the-art showroom.
Our brand portfolio features models from the most in-demand manufacturers across the globe. They are (in alphabetical order):
Our comprehensive electric and hybrid vehicle collection showcases the latest zero-emission technology. View our full EV range, complete with optional green number plates, making your contribution to cleaner air immediately visible.
View our new cars online, compare models, and book your test drive at our Epsom showroom. We are open 7-days a week, so our team is always ready to help.
The 26 registration plates are issued from 1st March 2026 for vehicles registered between March and August 2026.
The 76 registration plates are released on 1st September 2026 for vehicles registered between September 2026 and February 2027.
It indicates the vehicle was first registered between March and August 2026.
No. It's illegal to display a registration that makes your vehicle appear newer than it actually is. You can use an older registration (making a 2026 car appear older), but not vice versa.
Yes. You can transfer a registration from one vehicle to another, provided the vehicle you're transferring to is not made to appear newer. There's an £80 DVLA fee for transfers.
No, green plates are optional. However, they can provide access to certain benefits like free parking zones or congestion charge exemptions in some areas.
The current system runs until at least 2051, when it cycles back to 01/51. However, format changes may occur before then, depending on vehicle registration numbers and policy changes.
Yes, the first two letters (local memory tag) indicate the region and DVLA office. Use our area code table above to identify the registration location.
This number plate guide was last updated in February 2026. For the latest DVLA guidance on registration plates, vehicle licensing, and personalisation rules, visit the GOV UK vehicle registration website.