A Guide To UK Number Plates

Number plates may seem mundane at first glance. However, like car tyres they carry a rich history. And play a crucial role in identifying vehicles.

In the United Kingdom, the system of vehicle registration numbers has evolved quite significantly over the years. Going through a few different format changes over the decades.

Early Number Plates

All vehicle registration numbers in the UK are owned by the Secretary of the State. They assign them when vehicles are registered and taxed. 

Before the Motor Car Act of 1903, there was no standardised system for identifying vehicles.

As cars began to become popular, a system was needed to keep track of all the vehicles. And so the vehicle registration concept was born. 

Originally registration numbers were very simple. They consisted of just one or two letters followed by a random number between 1 and 9999. As vehicles became more common, this system proved to be quite restrictive. A more robust format was required. 

Evolution of UK Number Plates

Since the first vehicle registration numbers, the system and format has undergone several changes.

These changes were often a response to the exhaustion of all possible combinations or their impact on vehicle sales.

During the 1960s and 1970s, when the age identifier was placed at the start of the registration plate, motorists would not buy new cars until the new year. This led to high car sales in the early months. Followed by a decline for the rest of the year.

In response, the system was modified to move the age identifier to the middle of the registration plate. Breaking the cycle and providing a more balanced distribution of sales throughout the year.

Deciphering UK Number Plates

The format of DVLA number plates that we know today was introduced in 2001. This format consists of the following elements:
 

(Image source:  DVLA)

• The First Two Letters
  • The first two letters indicate the area code where the vehicle was registered. For example, "BD" might indicate Birmingham, "L" for London, and "M" for Manchester.
• The Two Numbers
  • The two numbers following the letters tell us the age of the vehicle. In the early part of the year (March to August), these numbers correspond to the last two digits of the year (e.g., "22" for 2022). From September to February, they reflect the year plus 50 (e.g., "72" for 2022).
• The Final Three Letters
  • The final three letters are randomly assigned and are unique to each vehicle. These letters add an element of individuality to each number plate.

For instance, if you see the registration plate "BD51 SMR," it tells us that the vehicle was registered in Birmingham sometime between September 2001 and February 2002.

This modern system provides precise information about the vehicle's origin and age.

Number Plate Standards

For a number plate to be legally used in the UK, it must adhere to specific rules and standards.

To meet the British standard, every number plate put into circulation needs to display the following information:

The British Standard Number

The current British Standard number is BS AU 145e.

Identification of the Manufacturer or Supplier

Number plates must bear the name, trademark, or another identifying mark of the manufacturer or supplier. It must also have the name and postcode of the outlet that supplied the number plate. 

This information allows authorities to trace the origin of the number plate if they need to.

On top of this, any vehicles produced from 1973 onwards must display number plates which meet these criteria:

• Made of a reflective material.
• White at the front of the vehicle and yellow at the back.
• Featuring black letters and numbers.

These standards ensure that number plates are easily readable and identifiable, promoting road safety and law enforcement.

Recent Changes

In 2022 some significant changes to UK number plates were introduced.

This was the year that the new "BS AU 145e" standard was introduced. While the appearance of number plates did not change significantly, the latest generation of plates are now manufactured from tougher material, making them increasingly resistant to scratches and other forms of damage.

Additionally, two-tone plates, which used alternating shades of black and white to create a 3D effect, were recently banned. 

This change to make it easier for Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to capture the number plate characters.

It was a noteworthy update to help contribute to enhanced law enforcement and overall road safety.