[Home page][4x4 Clubs][4x4 Insurance][Expedition section]
[Quiz][Tech]
UK Vehicle Registration Plates


Tech Section MENU

Articles - collection of links to tech articles on the web

 Driving techniques - 4x4 driving tips for various offroad conditions

Glossary - explanations of 4x4 tech terms A-Z
LPG - Advantages and Disadvantages of converting to LPG fuel

Recovery techniques - basic information on how to recover a stuck vehicle

Tyres - advice on care, maintenance and sizes

UK MOT test - checklist

UK Number plates - application procedure and history

Getting a New Number Plate
To make it more difficult for fraudulent plates to be issued you must now present ONE of the following documents when you apply:

  • Vehicle registration document V5
  • Certificate of entitlement to a mark V750
  • Cherished transfer retention document V778
  • Vehicle license renewal V11
  • Authorisation slip from local DVLA officewith a DVLA stamp
  • Certificate of vehicle registration V379

    You will also need ONE of the following as personal identification:
  • Current photcard or paper driving license

    OR
    a bank/building society statement or recent utility bill together with one of the following
  • passport
  • foreign national identity card
  • travelpass card with photograph
  • credit/debit card with photograph

Brief History

1903   The Motor Car Act 1903 introduced vehcle registration numbers beginning with A1 and consisting of one letter plus one number (£1 reg. fee !! ).
    Next came the series beginning with 2 letters (assigned to a particular locality) and 4 numbers.
1934   As localities became fully subscribed the 3 letter, 3 number plates were phased in begining with AAA 1 in 1934.
mid
1950's		   The order of letters and numbers was reversed
     
1963 A From 1963 year suffix's were issued.

1964

 B  
1965 C  
1966 D  
1967 E,F  
1968 F,G  
1969 G,H  
1970 H,J  
1971 J,K  
1972 K,L  
1973 L,M Reflective plates introduced. Black on white (front). Black on yellow (rear).
1974 M,N  
1975 N,P  
1976 P,R  
1977 R,S  
1978 S,T  
1979 T,V  
1980 V,W  
1981 W,X  
1982 X,Y  
1983 Y,A From 1983 year prefix's were issued.
Q registrations introduced for vehicles of indeterminate age.
1984 A,B  
1985 B,C  
1986 C,D  
1987 D,E  
1988 E,F  
1989 F,G  
1990 G,H  
1991 H,J  
1992 J,K  
1993 K,L  
1994 M,N  
1995 M,N  
1996 N,P  
1997 P,R  
1998 R,S  
1999 S,T,V  
2000 V,W,X  
2001 X,Y,51 Modern style introduced from Sept. 2001
AB denotes local DVLA office
5 denotes month of reg. (0 for Mar.)
1 denotes year or reg. (2001)
2002 51,02,52  
2003 52,03,53  
2004 53,04,54  
2005 54,05,55  
2006 55,06,56  
2007 56,  



Land Rover

Back to top