The Current Number Plates 2001-2050
In September 2001 The DVLA (Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency) introduced the current number plates format, which replaces Prefix Number Plates and standardized the colour, typeface and allowed for the addition of a logo. This new format will run until 2050.
Number Plate Identification And Format
The first 2 letters are the regional identifier:
The first letter representing the region, the second letter being the DVLA local office identifier. Note there are no I, Q or Z letters used for either letter. For a complete list of regional identifiers See below.
The following 2 numbers are the age identifiers:
These change every six months in March and September. The first plates were '51' plates in September 2001, followed by ‘02’ in March 2002 and so on. In 2010 the numbers will be 10 and 61 for the next ten years. For a complete list of age identifiers See below.
The next 3 letters are random:
Note: there are no I or Q or offensive letter combinations.
Number Plate Characters - 1st Sept 2001 onwards
The characters have been reduced to 50mm from 57mm to allow for the Euro Symbol. Plates must now comply with the following dimensions:
| Height |
79mm |
| Width (except for number ‘1’) |
50mm |
| Stroke |
14mm |
| Space Between characters |
11mm |
| Space Between groups |
33mm |
| Top, bottom and side margins ( minimum ) |
11mm |
| Space between vertical lines |
19mm |
Additional notes:
The Euro-symbol:
The Euro symbol and GB national identifier can be displayed on current number plates. This will dispense with the need for a separate GB sticker when traveling within the EU.
The symbol must conform to the EC Council Regulation 2411/98 which states the height must be a minimum of 98mm, the width must be a minimum of 40mm, maximum of 50mm. The background must be of retro-reflecting blue with, 12 retro-reflecting yellow stars at the top and the distinguishing sign of the Member State (GB) in retro-reflecting white or yellow.
The British Standard:
The British Standard sets out the physical characteristics of the number plate. This includes visibility, strength and reflectivity. The British Standard also requires each number plate to be permanently and legibly marked with the following information:-
1. The British Standard number (currently BS AU 145d)
2. The name, trade mark or other means of identification of the
manufacturer or component supplier
3. Name and postcode of the supplying outlet
Offences:
It is an offence to alter, rearrange or misrepresent letters or numbers in order to form names or words or in such a way that makes it difficult to read the registration number. Characters must not be moved from one block to the other e.g. AB51 DVL must not be displayed as AB5 1DVL or AB 51DVL. Vehicles with illegally displayed number plates may FAIL the MOT test. The police can also issue fixed penalty fines for illegally displayed number plates. Offenders are liable to a MAXIMUM FINE of £1,000 and in some cases the mark may be withdrawn.
For vehicles with current number plates or replacement number plates fitted after 31.8.2001, “3-line” number plates are no longer permitted.
Age Identifiers For Current Number Plates:
Numbers |
Dates |
March |
September |
Year |
n/a |
51 |
2001 |
02 |
52 |
2002 |
03 |
53 |
2003 |
04 |
54 |
2004 |
05 |
55 |
2005 |
06 |
56 |
2006 |
07 |
57 |
2007 |
08 |
58 |
2008 |
09 |
59 |
2009 |
10 |
60 |
2010 |
11 |
61 |
2011 |
12 |
62 |
2012 |
13 |
63 |
2013 |
14 |
64 |
2014 |
15 |
65 |
2015 |
16 |
66 |
2016 |
17 |
67 |
2017 |
18 |
68 |
2018 |
19 |
69 |
2019 |
20 |
70 |
2020 |
21 |
71 |
2021 |
22 |
72 |
2022 |
23 |
73 |
2023 |
24 |
74 |
2024 |
25 |
75 |
2025 |
etc |
etc |
etc |
Regional Identifiers For Current Number Plates:
1st letter |
Region |
DVLA office |
Local identifier (2nd letter) |
A |
Anglia |
Peterborough |
A - N |
Norwich |
O - U |
Ipswich |
V - Y |
B |
Birmingham |
Birmingham |
A - Y |
C |
Cymru |
Cardiff |
A - O |
Swansea |
P - V |
Bangor |
W - Y |
D |
Deeside to Shrewsbury |
Chester |
A - K |
Shrewsbury |
L - Y |
E |
Essex |
Chelmsford |
A - Y |
F |
Forest and Fens |
Nottingham |
A - P |
Lincoln |
R - Y |
G |
Garden of England |
Maidstone |
A - O |
Brighton |
P - Y |
H |
Hampshire and Dorset |
Bournemouth |
A - J |
Portsmouth |
K-V & X, Y |
Isle of Wight |
W |
K |
Kettering |
Luton |
A - L |
Northampton |
M - Y |
L |
London |
Wimbledon |
A - J |
Stanmore |
K - T |
Sidcup |
U - Y |
M |
Manchester & Merseyside |
Manchester |
A - Y |
N |
North |
Newcastle |
A - O |
Stockton |
P - Y |
O |
Oxford |
Oxford |
A - Y |
P |
Preston |
Preston |
A - T |
Carlisle |
U - Y |
R |
Reading |
Reading |
A - Y |
S
|
Scotland |
Glasgow |
A - J |
Edinburgh |
K - O |
Dundee |
P - T |
Aberdeen |
U, V, W |
Inverness |
X, Y |
V |
Severn Valley |
Worcester |
A - Y |
W |
West of England |
Exeter |
A - J |
Truro |
K, L |
Bristol |
M - Y |
Y |
Yorkshire |
Leeds |
A - K |
Sheffield |
L - U |
Beverley |
V - Y |
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