02/2025: The UK vehicle registration system has evolved from the suffix system (1963) to the prefix system (1983), and now the current “New Style” system (2001 – present), ensuring continued availability of number combinations while improving clarity and law enforcement efficiency.
1. 1963–1982: Suffix Registration System
Format:AAA 123A
Example:ABC 123D
Structure:
AAA → Three letters identifying the issuing area.
123 → Up to three numbers (vehicle identifier).
A → A suffix letter indicating year of registration.
Year Identifier: Introduced in 1963, starting with A, then moving through the alphabet (except I, O, Q, U, and Z).
Why It Changed: By 1983, available combinations were running out.
2. 1983–2001: Prefix Registration System
Format:A123 AAA
Example:D456 XYZ
Structure:
A → A prefix letter indicating the year of registration.
123 → Up to three numbers (vehicle identifier).
AAA → Three letters identifying the issuing area.
Year Identifier:Reverse of the suffix system, starting in 1983 with “A” and progressing annually.
Why It Changed: The prefix format was exhausted by 2001, requiring a new system.
3. 2001–Present: Current “New Style” System
Format:AA51 AAA
Example:BD21 XYZ
Structure:
AA → Two letters indicating the region of issue.
51 → Two-digit age identifier (shows when the car was registered).
AAA → Three random letters (vehicle identifier).
Year Identifier:
First digit (5) → Represents year of decade (e.g., 5 in 51 means 2001–2010).
Second digit (1 or 5) → Indicates whether the car was registered in March (0x) or September (5x).
Why It Changed: This system allows for more combinations and is easy for ANPR cameras to read.
4. Special & Historic Registration Marks
Q-Plates (Q123 XYZ) → Issued to vehicles of unknown or uncertain origin (e.g., kit cars or imported vehicles without proper records).
Northern Ireland (ABC 1234) → Uses a separate format without year identifiers, still in use.
Diplomatic Plates (D123 ABC) → Start with a “D” for diplomatic vehicles.
Cherished & Personalized Plates → Specially purchased or custom registrations that do not follow standard formats.
UK Vehicle Registration Year-by-Year Breakdown (1960–Present)
This table provides a detailed breakdown of UK vehicle registration formats, showing how the year identifiers changed.
1. 1963–1982: Suffix System (AAA 123A)
Introduced in 1963 to add a year identifier at the end of the registration number.
The last letter (suffix) represents the year of registration.
Example:ABC 123D (registered in 1966).
Year
Suffix Letter
1963
A
1964
B
1965
C
1966
D
1967
E
1968
F
1969
G
1970
H
1971
J
1972
K
1973
L
1974
M
1975
N
1976
P
1977
R
1978
S
1979
T
1980
V
1981
W
1982
X
2. 1983–2001: Prefix System (A123 AAA)
Introduced in 1983, reversing the suffix system.
The first letter (prefix) represents the year of registration.
Example:D456 XYZ (registered in 1986).
Year
Prefix Letter
1983
A
1984
B
1985
C
1986
D
1987
E
1988
F
1989
G
1990
H
1991
J
1992
K
1993
L
1994
M
1995
N
1996
P
1997
R
1998
S
1999
T
1999 (Aug)
V
2000 (Mar)
W
2000 (Sep)
X
2001 (Mar)
Y
3. 2001–Present: Current “New Style” System (AA51 AAA)
Introduced in 2001 to allow for more combinations.
Uses a two-digit year identifier.
Example:BD51 XYZ (registered in September 2001).
Format Explanation: First two letters: Indicate the region of issue (e.g., BD for Birmingham). Two-digit number: Indicates year of registration. Final three letters: Randomly assigned to uniquely identify the vehicle.