05 May 2022, 14:31

The history of number plates in the UK

The first ever number plate issued in the UK was A1, this was back in 1903 following the publication of the Motor Car Act 1903

The format was initially set at one or two letters followed by a number from 1 to 9999.

However by 1932 it was becoming clear that we were quickly running out of combinations so the DVLA decided to alter the format so that it became three letters followed by three numbers. By the mid 1950s we had again started to run out of combinations of unique registrations so the format was reversed so that you had three numbers followed by three letters.

1963 - Prefix Style Plates

Less than a decade later in 1963 almost all available combinations were exhausted so the DVLA decided to add a suffix to the three letter/three number combination to allow an overnight doubling of available numbers and also allow identification of the vehicle age. Up to this point vehicle registrations were dateless. This format was known as Suffix Type Registration, an example would be CVB 123A.

Suffix launch dates

Prefix	From	To
A	Jan-63	Dec-63
B	Jan-64	Dec-64
C	Jan-65	Dec-65
D	Jan-66	Dec-66
E	Jan-67	Jul-67
F	Aug-67	Jul-68
G	Aug-68	Jul-69
H	Aug-69	Jul-70
J	Aug-70	Jul-71
K	Aug-71	Jul-72
L	Aug-72	Jul-73
M	Aug-73	Jul-74
N	Aug-74	Jul-75
P	Aug-75	Jul-76
R	Aug-76	Jul-77
S	Aug-77	Jul-78
T	Aug-78	Jul-79
V	Aug-79	Jul-80
W	Aug-80	Jul-81
X	Aug-81	Jul-82
Y	Aug-82	Jul-83

Initially the plan was to change the suffix in the January of each year however this caused an immediate problem in that vehicle sales/registrations peaked during the first three months of the year then dropped dramatically as we progressed through the year. For some reason the decision was taken to move the date change to August from 1967.

1983 - Suffix Style Plates

The next change in format was in 1983 when the idea of adding a prefix to the registration plate instead of a suffix was launched which meant a number plate was in this format A123 CVB

Suffix launch dates

Prefix	From	To
A	Aug-83	Jul-84
B	Aug-84	Jul-85
C	Aug-85	Jul-86
D	Aug-86	Jul-87
E	Aug-87	Jul-88
F	Aug-88	Jul-89
G	Aug-89	Jul-90
H	Aug-90	Jul-91
J	Aug-91	Jul-92
K	Aug-92	Jul-93
L	Aug-93	Jul-94
M	Aug-94	Jul-95
N	Aug-95	Jul-96
P	Aug-96	Jul-97
R	Aug-97	Jul-98
S	Aug-98	Feb-99
T	Mar-99	Jul-99
V	Aug-99	Feb-00
W	Mar-00	Jul-00
X	Aug-00	Feb-01
Y	Mar-01	Aug-01

2001 - Suffix Style Plates

Plate	From	To
51	Sep-01	Mar-02
2	Mar-02	Sep-02
52	Sep-02	Mar-03
3	Mar-03	Sep-03
53	Sep-03	Mar-04
4	Mar-04	Sep-04
54	Sep-04	Mar-05
5	Mar-05	Sep-05
55	Sep-05	Mar-06
6	Mar-06	Sep-06
56	Sep-06	Mar-07
7	Mar-07	Sep-07
57	Sep-07	Mar-08
8	Mar-08	Sep-08
58	Sep-08	Mar-09
9	Mar-09	Sep-09
59	Sep-09	Mar-10
10	Mar-10	Sep-10
60	Sep-10	Mar-11
11	Mar-11	Sep-11
61	Sep-11	Mar-12
12	Mar-12	Sep-12
62	Sep-12	Mar-13
13	Mar-13	Sep-13
63	Sep-13	Mar-14
14	Mar-14	Sep-14
64	Sep-14	Mar-15
15	Mar-15	Sep-15
65	Sep-15	Mar-16
16	Mar-16	Sep-16
66	Sep-16	Mar-17
17	Mar-17	Sep-17
67	Sep-17	Mar-18
18	Mar-18	Sep-18
68	Sep-18	Mar-19
19	Mar-19	Sep-19
69	Sep-19	Mar-20
20	Mar-20	Sep-20
70	Sep-20	Mar-21
21	Mar-21	Sep-21
71	Sep-21	Mar-22
22	Mar-22	Sep-22
72	Sep-22	Mar-23
23	Mar-23	Sep-23
73	Sep-23	Mar-24
24	Mar-24	Sep-24
74	Sep-24	Mar-25
25	Mar-25	Sep-25
75	Sep-25	Mar-26
26	Mar-26	Sep-26
76	Sep-26	Mar-27
27	Mar-27	Sep-27
77	Sep-27	Mar-28
28	Mar-28	Sep-28
78	Sep-28	Mar-29
29	Mar-29	Sep-29
79	Sep-29	Mar-30
30	Mar-30	Sep-30
80	Sep-30	Mar-31
31	Mar-31	Sep-31
81	Sep-31	Mar-32
32	Mar-32	Sep-32
82	Sep-32	Mar-33
33	Mar-33	Sep-33
83	Sep-33	Mar-34
34	Mar-34	Sep-34
84	Sep-34	Mar-35
35	Mar-35	Sep-35
85	Sep-35	Mar-36
36	Mar-36	Sep-36
86	Sep-36	Mar-37
37	Mar-37	Sep-37
87	Sep-37	Mar-38
38	Mar-38	Sep-38
88	Sep-38	Mar-39
39	Mar-39	Sep-39
89	Sep-39	Mar-40
40	Mar-40	Sep-40
90	Sep-40	Mar-41
41	Mar-41	Sep-41
91	Sep-41	Mar-42
42	Mar-42	Sep-42
92	Sep-42	Mar-43
43	Mar-43	Sep-43
93	Sep-43	Mar-44
44	Mar-44	Sep-44
94	Sep-44	Mar-45
45	Mar-45	Sep-45
95	Sep-45	Mar-46
46	Mar-46	Sep-46
96	Sep-46	Mar-47
47	Mar-47	Sep-47
97	Sep-47	Mar-48
48	Mar-48	Sep-48
98	Sep-48	Mar-49
49	Mar-49	Sep-49
99	Sep-49	Mar-50

Some non common facts about number plates

Up until the Road Act of 1920 cars and motorbikes had two separate registers which meant it was possible to have a car and motorbike with the same registration number.

Cars that moved area pre 1920 were issued with a new registration plate and the old plate then was made available for registration for another vehicle

Since 1963 the year of your car, van or bike’s manufacture can determined from the your vehicle registration.

Over the years the UK has adopted three separate systems:

Suffix Type number plates e.g. CVB 123A
These ran from January 1963 to July 1983
Prefix Type number plates e.g. A123 CVB
These ran from August 1983 to August 2001
New Style number plates e.g. CV51 CVB
These started from September 2001 and continue until March 2050

About CarsVansandBikes.com

CarsVansandBikes.com: Revolutionizing Vehicle Advertising in the Digital Age

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, the quest for the perfect vehicle - be it a car, van, or motorbike - has been transformed by the emergence of CarsVansandBikes.com. Launched in 2021, this digital advertising website has rapidly become the go-to platform for motorists seeking new or pre-owned vehicles. Embodying the ethos As easy as CVB, the platform simplifies the search process, making it more accessible and user-friendly.

What sets CarsVansandBikes.com apart in the crowded online marketplace is its commitment to unbiased advertising. In a marked departure from industry norms, CVB eschews advertising or sponsored listings. This principled stance ensures that all vehicles are presented on CarsVansandBikes.com without any undue influence or bias, offering a refreshingly transparent experience for users. This approach starkly contrasts with other platforms where sponsored listings can often skew visibility and influence consumer choice.

The fair and transparent cataloging of advertising stock on CarsVansandBikes.com is another cornerstone of its service. By providing comprehensive details of each vehicle, beyond just listing prices, the platform empowers motorists to make well-informed decisions. This depth of information is crucial in an industry where the nuances of each vehicle can significantly impact buyer satisfaction.

A standout feature of CarsVansandBikes.com is its pricing model. When it first graced the online automotive advertising scene, CVB distinguished itself by not charging extra fees. In a bold move for 2024, the platform has further elevated its commitment to affordability. Now, neither motor dealers nor private motorists are required to pay to advertise their vehicles on the site. This initiative is a significant stride in democratizing vehicle advertising, allowing sellers of all scales to reach potential customers without financial barriers.

The platform's ethos of connecting sellers directly with potential buyers is a testament to its user-centric design. CarsVansandBikes.com goes beyond mere transactional interactions, fostering a community where detailed vehicle information is readily available. This approach not only aids in the selling process but also ensures that buyers are better equipped to make choices that align with their needs and expectations.

Operating under the trade name CarsVansandBikes.com, CarsVansandBikes Limited has positioned itself as a trailblazer in the automotive advertising industry. By offering its services completely free of charge, the platform breaks down traditional barriers, making vehicle advertising more accessible and equitable.

As CarsVansandBikes.com continues to grow and evolve, its impact on the automotive market is undeniable. With its user-friendly interface, commitment to unbiased advertising, and innovative approach to cost, CVB is not just a platform; it's a paradigm shift in how we find and advertise vehicles in the digital age.

Share via email

Share on WhatsApp