Registration plates

What Reg is it?

Probably the first question asked by used car buyers and one of the most important features of the car itself. Yet the vehicle registration system has recently undergone its biggest change for a long time. We will first explain the system and then offer a "refresher" on the old method.

New System

As of September 2001, the registration plate follows a new format, with a new, smaller typeface. To use the example:

FE52 ABC

• FE represents the "local memory tag" – where the vehicle was registered. Please visit the DVLA at http://www.dvla.gov.uk an example is BA-BY for Birmingham.
• 52 represents the age identifier. Not entirely obvious at first, it is changed at half-yearly intervals – (March and September)
• ABC is the random part.

Old System

The old system is much simpler and the way to tell a vehicles age is just by the first letter. The numbers and letters that follow are completely random.

The list is as follows:

• 1983 – Y/A
• 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 – L/M
• 1995 – M/N
• 1996 – N/P
• 1997 – P/R
• 1998 – R/S
• 1999 – S/T/V
• 2000 – V/W/X
• 2001 – X/Y