Car Industry News
When do new registration plates come out?
The UK’s DVLA number plate changes explained
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 27/08/2026
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 27/08/2026
As we approach the autumn season and evenings start to get longer and darker, a significant event occurs in the automotive world: the release of new car registration plates.
Number plates (or licence plates) must correctly show the registration number of your vehicle. You cannot rearrange these letters or numbers, or alter them so that they’re hard to read.
You could be fined up to £1,000 and your vehicle will fail its MOT test if you drive with incorrectly displayed number plates.
Vehicle number plates identify when and where all vehicles in the UK were registered.
The number plate is not linked to the owner but to the vehicle until it is destroyed or exported. An owner can transfer it to another vehicle if they prefer.
The current registration format was introduced in 2001. The numbers on the plate are known as age identifiers and show what year the vehicle was registered.
The batch of plates issued in March will take the last two digits of the registration year. In 2026, this was 26.
For the plates issued in September, it’s the last two digits of the year plus 50. So, in 2026 this will be 76.
2026's registration plates are set to be 26 (March to August) and 76 (September to February, 2027).
Every year in March (spring) and September (autumn), car registration plates are updated. The 26 plate release date is 1 March, 2026. This follows last September's 75 plate.
For many buyers, this is the perfect time to purchase a new vehicle.
March and September are important dates in the diary for many motoring enthusiasts because it’s often the case in these months that the latest car models make their showroom debuts.
Models could be getting a complete facelift or design overhaul, or perhaps a small update to include an additional feature.
The two prefix letters are known as the local memory tag. The first letter represents the region of the UK and the second letter the local DVLA office where the vehicle was registered.
The three letters at the end are randomly generated and allocated to a dealership when the car is registered. This gives every vehicle a unique identity.
Learn more about the full list number plate age identifiers and local memory tags here.
For legal reasons, the number plate on your vehicle must:
The characters must not be removable or reflective. If your number plates were fitted after 1 September 2021, they must also be a single shade of black.
Your number plates can also:
According to the DVLA, you could be fined up to £1,000 and your vehicle will fail its MOT test if you drive with incorrectly displayed number plates.
The characters on a number plate also need to be a certain height and size:
You can find out more information by reading leaflet INF104 for vehicles and leaflet INF291 for trailers.
Personalised number plates are permitted and can be purchased from the DVLA or from a private dealer.
If you have the right to a private number that is not currently being used, you can apply to assign it to a vehicle. Whether standard-issue, or personalised, there are strict rules concerning the specification of the letters and numbers in the reg plate.
You cannot use a personalised plate to make a car look newer than it is. A personalised plate must be from the same year the car was manufactured or older.
You cannot use a personalised plate to make a car look newer than it is. A personalised plate must be from the same year the car was manufactured or older. You’ll also need to stick to the approved fonts and ensure the appearance of characters isn’t changed by any screws or bolts e.g. a 0 could look like an 8.
The DVLA should be your first port of call if you’re in the market for a new number plate. They offer personalised registration via direct purchase and auction. More popular plates, including some personalised plates, are more likely to appear in the auctions, which currently take place around five times a year.
If you want something more specific, you’re more likely to find it through a private dealer. Some private dealers sell the number, not the plate itself so bear in mind you may have to get them made up yourself by a registered supplier.
Changing a plate shouldn’t affect your insurance premium, but some insurers may charge an administrative fee to amend the details on your record.
You’ll also need to ensure you have the V750 Certificate of Entitlement. Do not put the new plates onto your car until you have received confirmation you have purchased them or a new V5C certificate.
If you have bought a new vehicle but want to keep your old number plate, you can easily transfer it. To reassign the plate to your new car, you can use the government’s form V317. A V778 form also serves as official proof you own the rights to a personalised number plate when you’re between vehicles.
Often the fastest way to complete a transfer for a private plate is via the DVLA.
Fully electric or hydrogen fuel cell cars purchased from 8 December 2020 onwards come fitted with a ‘green number plate’. The plates are identifiable by a green flash on the left-hand side to make it easier for cars to be identified as zero-emission vehicles.
This is to help local authorities design and implement new policies to incentivise people to own and drive them.
As mentioned earlier, many car enthusiasts are keen to get their hands on a new car the moment the new plates are released.
If you count yourselves amongst them but don’t want to commit to adjusting your annual policy or searching for a new one, Tempcover’s temporary car insurance may be the most suitable option.
Our temporary car insurance policies cover the vehicle for a fixed term of your choice (between one hour and 28 days).
This will give you the chance to research the best annual policy to suit your needs. You can get a quote in under 2 minutes and there’s no risk to any existing no claims discount.
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