How does the UK licence plate system work?

UK number plates follow a fixed format: two letters, two numbers, and three random letters—like AB51 XYZ.

This structure has been in place since 2001 and is designed to make every plate unique, informative, and easily trackable.

Here’s how it works in practice. The first two letters are the local memory tag, which identifies the DVLA office where the car was registered. The following two numbers are the age identifier, telling you when the car was first registered. The final three letters are randomly assigned to make the plate unique.

For example, in the plate LA25 WXC:

• LA means it was registered in London.
• 25 indicates it was registered between March and August 2025.
• WXC is just a randomised code.

This format replaced the older prefix and suffix systems, which were reaching their limit and confusing for most drivers. The new system allows for millions of combinations while also embedding useful data into the plate itself.

Unlike some countries, UK plates do not reuse numbers or cycle through the alphabet. Once a combination is assigned, it’s locked to that vehicle for life—unless a personalised plate is applied later.

The current UK licence plate system was introduced in 2001 to replace the ageing prefix and suffix formats, which were running out of combinations and becoming increasingly confusing.

The new format was designed to be scalable, easier to understand, and more useful to law enforcement and the public alike.

Before 2001, cars were registered using prefix and suffix letters to indicate the year—either at the start or end of the plate. This meant plates like A123 ABC or ABC 123A were common, but they didn’t tell you where a car was registered, and the age code system was limited to a single letter per year. It lacked clarity and long-term flexibility.

As more vehicles hit the road, the DVLA needed a modernised system that could handle millions of registrations annually—without recycling combinations. The updated format addressed this by embedding both age and regional data into the plate, giving each car a clearer identity and creating room for growth well into the future.

The change also improved tracking, enforcement, and vehicle recognition systems, supporting everything from traffic policing to insurance verification.

Personalised or cherished plates are unique registration numbers bought from the DVLA or private dealers, often chosen for their initials, names, or memorable combinations.

They can legally be transferred to your vehicle—but only if certain rules are followed.

To buy a personalised plate, you’ll typically go through the DVLA’s auction platform or a private registration dealer. Once purchased, the plate is assigned to you using either a V750 certificate of entitlement (for unassigned plates) or a V778 retention certificate (for plates taken off a previous vehicle).

You can assign the plate to your car online or by post. If approved, the DVLA updates its records and issues a new V5C logbook. You’ll also need to replace your physical plates and inform your insurer.

However, there are strict restrictions:

• You can’t make a car look newer than it is. For example, you can’t assign a plate with the year code “75” to a car first registered in 2010.
• The plate must still meet all display regulations: correct spacing, typeface, and format. Misrepresenting characters to spell words is illegal.

Some personalised plates are considered “cherished” because they date back to older systems, like Northern Irish plates or vintage suffix styles. These often hold value among collectors and enthusiasts.

A plate may be personal—but it’s still subject to public rules.

You can check a vehicle’s licence plate history using the DVLA’s online tools or paid vehicle history services that reveal past plates, registration changes, and potential red flags.

The most accessible tool is the DVLA’s free vehicle information service. By entering the
registration number, you can view:

• The vehicle’s make, model, and colour
• MOT status and history
• Tax status
• Current registration and date of first registration

But this only scratches the surface.

To go deeper—especially when buying used—you’ll need a paid check through services like:

• HPI Check
• AutoTrader Vehicle Check
• CarVertical
• Total Car Check

These reports reveal if the vehicle:

• Has ever been written off
• Has had its number plate changed (and what the old ones were)
• Is recorded as stolen or has outstanding finance
• Has mileage inconsistencies

Whether you’re verifying a cherished plate, investigating a potential ringer, or just doing your due diligence—checking the plate’s history is essential. It’s also a smart step before taking out car insurance, as past write-offs or plate swaps can affect cover options.

Green number plates are a special type of registration used exclusively for fully zero-emission vehicles in the UK.

Introduced in December 2020, they’re designed to promote environmental awareness and encourage the adoption of electric vehicles.

Visually, they look just like standard plates, but with one clear distinction: a green vertical flash on the left-hand side of the plate. This small coloured section signifies that the vehicle produces no tailpipe emissions and qualifies as part of the UK’s zero-emission initiative.

The plates aren’t just cosmetic. They’re meant to help local authorities quickly identify cleaner vehicles and—potentially—offer them incentives such as:

• Reduced or free parking
• Access to bus lanes
• Exemptions from congestion or clean air zone charges

That said, these benefits aren’t universally applied. It’s up to individual councils or schemes to determine whether any perks are attached.

Only battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are eligible. Plug-in hybrids, mild hybrids, and standard petrol or diesel cars do not qualify—even if they’re low-emission.

As electric adoption grows, green plates may carry even more weight. For now, they act as a visible nod to cleaner transport—and a possible gateway to preferential treatment on UK roads.