A Guide to Registration Numbers
The Registration Number section of this Register is primarily aimed as an access
gateway into the main register, and as an aid to identifying cars and their history,
including upgrades, etc. The listings of registration numbers has been assembled
strictly in alphanumerical and numerical sequence for the whole registration number
of each vehicle in this Register.
We have also tried to aid the reader, who, faced with a chassis number of up to
15 letters and numbers, may find difficulty in identifying which model of Aston
Martin they are researching, by including a “model” description beside each registration
number.
It may, however, be of interest to understand the way Registration Numbers are presented
by the Licencing Authorities, and be helpful to have a “potted” history of how they
have evolved in the UK from very simple one letter, one number, through to our present
day format, and the information that each registration contains.
Up to 1963
The Motor Car Act of 1903 required all self-propelled vehicles to be clearly identifiable
and as a result “A1” was issued by the London County Council in January of 1904.
As the number of vehicles grew, the available number combinations diminished, and
this format was quickly followed by double-digit letters and up to four numbers,
“AA 1234” etc.
By the mid 1930’s this format of numbering, especially in the higher population
density areas of the country, became somewhat stretched, and thereafter three letters
with up to three numbers came into force, “AAA 123” etc.
In the mid 50’s, some licencing authorities were again experiencing difficulties,
and as a result the registration number format was reversed, “123 AAA” etc.
This system worked well for over thirty years, and at the same time identified the
original licencing authority of the vehicle using the last two letters of the Registration
Number, as the following list of licencing offices indicates:
|
A
|
London
|
HU
|
Bristol
|
RN
|
Preston
|
|
AA
|
Bournemouth
|
HV
|
LondonC
|
RO
|
Luton
|
|
AB
|
Worcester
|
HX
|
Bristol
|
RP
|
Northampton
|
|
AC
|
Coventry
|
HY
|
Bristol
|
RR
|
Nottingham
|
|
AD
|
Gloucester
|
J
|
Durham
|
RS
|
Aberdeen
|
|
AE
|
Bristol
|
JA
|
Manchester
|
RT
|
Ipswich
|
|
AF
|
Truro
|
JB
|
Reading
|
RV
|
Portsmouth
|
|
AG
|
Ayrshire
|
JC
|
Bangor
|
RU
|
Bournemouth
|
|
AH
|
Norwich
|
JD
|
LondonC
|
RV
|
Portsmouth
|
|
AJ
|
Middlesborough
|
JE
|
Peterborough
|
RW
|
Coventry
|
|
AK
|
Sheffield
|
JF
|
Leicester
|
RX
|
Reading
|
|
AL
|
Nottingham
|
JG
|
Maidstone
|
RY
|
Leicester
|
|
AM
|
Swindon
|
JH
|
Reading
|
S
|
Edinburgh
|
|
AN
|
Reading
|
JJ
|
Maidstone
|
SA
|
Aberdeen
|
|
AO
|
Carlisle
|
JK
|
Brighton
|
SB
|
Glasgow
|
|
AP
|
Brighton
|
JL
|
Lincoln
|
SC
|
Edinburgh
|
|
AR
|
Chelmsford
|
JM
|
Reading
|
SD
|
Glasgow
|
|
AS
|
Inverness
|
JN
|
Chelmsford
|
SE
|
Aberdeen
|
|
AT
|
Hull
|
JO
|
Oxford
|
SF
|
Edinburgh
|
|
AU
|
Nottingham
|
JP
|
Liverpool
|
SG
|
Edinburgh
|
|
AV
|
Peterborough
|
JR
|
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
|
SH
|
Edinburgh
|
|
AW
|
Shrewsbury
|
JS
|
Inverness
|
SJ
|
Glasgow
|
|
AX
|
Cardiff
|
JT
|
Bournemouth
|
SK
|
Inverness
|
|
AY
|
Leicester
|
JU
|
Leicester
|
SL
|
Dundee
|
|
AZ
|
Belfast
|
JV
|
Lincoln
|
SM
|
Carlisle
|
|
B
|
Lancashire
|
JW
|
Birmingham
|
SN
|
Dundee
|
|
BA
|
Manchester
|
JX
|
Huddersfield
|
SO
|
Aberdeen
|
|
BB
|
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
|
JY
|
Exeter
|
SP
|
Dundee
|
|
BC
|
Leicester
|
JZ
|
Down
|
SR
|
Dundee
|
|
BD
|
Northampton
|
K
|
Liverpool
|
SS
|
Aberdeen
|
|
BE
|
Lincoln
|
KA
|
Liverpool
|
ST
|
Inverness
|
|
BF
|
Stoke-on-Trent
|
KB
|
Liverpool
|
SU
|
Glasgow
|
|
BG
|
Liverpool
|
KC
|
Liverpool
|
SV
|
Kinross-shire
|
|
BH
|
Luton
|
KD
|
Liverpool
|
SW
|
Carlisle
|
|
BJ
|
Ipswich
|
KE
|
Maidstone
|
SX
|
Edinburgh
|
|
BK
|
Portsmouth
|
KF
|
Liverpool
|
SY
|
Midlothian
|
|
BL
|
Reading
|
KG
|
Cardiff
|
T
|
Devon
|
|
BM
|
Luton
|
KH
|
Hull
|
TA
|
Exeter
|
|
BN
|
Manchester
|
KJ
|
Maidstone
|
TB
|
Liverpool
|
|
BO
|
Cardiff
|
KK
|
Maidstone
|
TC
|
Bristol
|
|
BP
|
Portsmouth
|
KL
|
Maidstone
|
TD
|
Manchester
|
|
BR
|
Newcastle
|
KM
|
Maidstone
|
TE
|
Manchester
|
|
BS
|
Inverness
|
KN
|
Maidstone
|
TF
|
Reading
|
|
BT
|
Leeds
|
KO
|
Maidstone
|
TG
|
Cardiff
|
|
BU
|
Manchester
|
KP
|
Maidstone
|
TH
|
Swansea
|
|
BV
|
Preston
|
KR
|
Maidstone
|
TJ
|
Liverpool
|
|
BW
|
Oxford
|
KS
|
Edinburgh
|
TK
|
Exeter
|
|
BX
|
Haverfordwest
|
KT
|
Maidstone
|
TL
|
Lincoln
|
|
BY
|
LondonNW
|
KU
|
Sheffield
|
TM
|
Luton
|
|
BZ
|
Down
|
KV
|
Coventry
|
TN
|
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
|
|
C
|
YorkshireWR
|
KW
|
Sheffield
|
TO
|
Nottingham
|
|
CA
|
Chester
|
KX
|
Luton
|
TP
|
Portsmouth
|
|
CB
|
Manchester
|
KY
|
Sheffield
|
TR
|
Portsmouth
|
|
CC
|
Bangor
|
L
|
Glamorgan
|
TS
|
Dundee
|
|
CD
|
Brighton
|
LA
|
LondonNW
|
TT
|
Exeter
|
|
CE
|
Peterborough
|
LB
|
LondonNW
|
TU
|
Chester
|
|
CF
|
Reading
|
LC
|
LondonNW
|
TV
|
Nottingham
|
|
CG
|
Bournemouth
|
LD
|
LondonNW
|
TX
|
Cardiff
|
|
CH
|
Nottingham
|
LE
|
LondonNW
|
TY
|
Newcastle
|
|
CJ
|
Gloucester
|
LF
|
LondonNW
|
TZ
|
Belfast
|
|
CK
|
Preston
|
LG
|
Chester
|
U
|
Leeds
|
|
CL
|
Norwich
|
LG
|
Chester
|
UA
|
Leeds
|
|
CM
|
Liverpool
|
LH
|
LondonNW
|
UB
|
Leeds
|
|
CN
|
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
|
LJ
|
Bournemouth
|
UC
|
LondonC
|
|
CO
|
Exeter
|
LK
|
LondonNW
|
UD
|
Oxford
|
|
CP
|
Huddersfield
|
LL
|
LondonNW
|
UE
|
Dudley
|
|
CR
|
Portsmouth
|
LM
|
LondonNW
|
UF
|
Brighton
|
|
CS
|
Glasgow
|
LN
|
LondonNW
|
UG
|
Leeds
|
|
CT
|
Lincoln
|
LO
|
LondonNW
|
UH
|
Cardiff
|
|
CU
|
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
|
LP
|
LondonNW
|
UJ
|
Shrewsbury
|
|
CV
|
Truro
|
LR
|
LondonNW
|
UK
|
Birmingham
|
|
CW
|
Preston
|
LS
|
Edinburgh
|
UL
|
LondonC
|
|
CX
|
Huddersfield
|
LT
|
LondonNW
|
UM
|
Leeds
|
|
CY
|
Swansea
|
LU
|
LondonNW
|
UN
|
Exeter
|
|
CZ
|
Belfast
|
LV
|
Liverpool
|
UO
|
Exeter
|
|
D
|
Kent
|
LW
|
LondonNW
|
UP
|
Newcastle
|
|
DA
|
Birmingham
|
LX
|
LondonNW
|
UR
|
Luton
|
|
DB
|
Manchester
|
LY
|
LondonNW
|
US
|
Glasgow
|
|
DC
|
Middlesborough
|
M
|
Cheshire
|
UT
|
Leicester
|
|
DD
|
Gloucester
|
MA
|
Chester
|
UU
|
LondonC
|
|
DE
|
Haverfordwest
|
MB
|
Chester
|
UV
|
LondonC
|
|
DF
|
Gloucester
|
MC
|
LondonNE
|
UW
|
LondonC
|
|
DG
|
Gloucester
|
MD
|
LondonNE
|
UX
|
Shrewsbury
|
|
DH
|
Dudley
|
ME
|
LondonNE
|
UY
|
Worcester
|
|
DJ
|
Liverpool
|
MF
|
LondonNE
|
UZ
|
Belfast
|
|
DK
|
Manchester
|
MG
|
LondonNE
|
V
|
Lanarkshire
|
|
DL
|
Portsmouth
|
MH
|
LondonNE
|
VA
|
Peterborough
|
|
DM
|
Chester
|
MJ
|
Luton
|
VB
|
Maidstone
|
|
DN
|
Leeds
|
MK
|
LondonNE
|
VC
|
Coventry
|
|
DO
|
Lincoln
|
ML
|
LondonNE
|
VD
|
Lanark
|
|
DP
|
Reading
|
MM
|
LondonNE
|
VE
|
Peterborough
|
|
DR
|
Exeter
|
MP
|
London
|
VF
|
Norwich
|
|
DS
|
Glasgow
|
MO
|
Reading
|
VG
|
Norwich
|
|
DT
|
Sheffield
|
MP
|
LondonNE
|
VH
|
Huddersfield
|
|
DU
|
Coventry
|
MR
|
Swindon
|
VJ
|
Gloucester
|
|
DV
|
Exeter
|
MS
|
Edinburgh
|
VK
|
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
|
|
DW
|
Cardiff
|
MT
|
LondonNE
|
VL
|
Lincoln
|
|
DX
|
Ipswich
|
MU
|
LondonNE
|
VM
|
Manchester
|
|
DY
|
Brighton
|
MV
|
LondonNE
|
VN
|
Middlesbrough
|
|
DZ
|
Antrim
|
MW
|
Swindon
|
VO
|
Nottingham
|
|
E
|
Staffordshire
|
MX
|
LondonNE
|
VP
|
Birmingham
|
|
EA
|
Dudley
|
MY
|
LondonNE
|
VR
|
Manchester
|
|
EB
|
Peterborough
|
MZ
|
Belfast
|
VS
|
Glasgow
|
|
EC
|
Preston
|
N
|
Manchester
|
VT
|
Stoke-on-Trent
|
|
ED
|
Liverpool
|
NA
|
Manchester
|
VU
|
Manchester
|
|
EE
|
Lincoln
|
NB
|
Manchester
|
VV
|
Northampton
|
|
EF
|
Middlesbrough
|
NC
|
Manchester
|
VW
|
Chelmsford
|
|
EG
|
Peterborough
|
ND
|
Manchester
|
VX
|
Chelmsford
|
|
EH
|
Stoke-on-Trent
|
NE
|
Manchester
|
VY
|
Leeds
|
|
EJ
|
Bangor
|
NF
|
Manchester
|
W
|
Sheffield
|
|
EK
|
Liverpool
|
NG
|
Norwich
|
WA
|
Sheffield
|
|
EL
|
Bournemouth
|
NH
|
Northampton
|
WB
|
Sheffield
|
|
EM
|
Liverpool
|
NJ
|
Brighton
|
WC
|
Chelmsford
|
|
EN
|
Manchester
|
NK
|
Luton
|
WD
|
Dudley
|
|
EO
|
Preston
|
NL
|
Newcastle
|
WE
|
Sheffield
|
|
EP
|
Swansea
|
NM
|
Luton
|
WF
|
Sheffield
|
|
ER
|
Peterborough
|
NN
|
Nottingham
|
WG
|
Sheffield
|
|
ES
|
Dundee
|
NO
|
Chelmsford
|
WH
|
Manchester
|
|
ET
|
Sheffield
|
NP
|
Worcester
|
WJ
|
Sheffield
|
|
EU
|
Bristol
|
NR
|
Leicester
|
WK
|
Coventry
|
|
EV
|
Chelmsford
|
NS
|
Glasgow
|
WL
|
Oxford
|
|
EW
|
Peterborough
|
NT
|
Shrewsbury
|
WM
|
Liverpool
|
|
EX
|
Norwich
|
NU
|
Nottingham
|
WN
|
Swansea
|
|
EY
|
Bangor
|
NV
|
Northampton
|
WO
|
Cardiff
|
|
EZ
|
Belfast
|
NW
|
Leeds
|
WP
|
Worcester
|
|
F
|
Essex
|
NX
|
Dudley
|
WR
|
Leeds
|
|
FA
|
Stoke-on-Trent
|
NY
|
Cardiff
|
WS
|
Leith
|
|
FB
|
Bristol
|
O
|
Birmingham
|
WT
|
Leeds
|
|
FC
|
Oxford
|
OA
|
Birmingham
|
WU
|
Leeds
|
|
FD
|
Dudley
|
OB
|
Birmingham
|
WV
|
Brighton
|
|
FE
|
Lincoln
|
OC
|
Birmingham
|
WW
|
Leeds
|
|
FF
|
Bangor
|
OD
|
Exeter
|
WX
|
Leeds
|
|
FG
|
Brighton
|
OE
|
Birmingham
|
WY
|
Leeds
|
|
FH
|
Gloucester
|
OF
|
Birmingham
|
WZ
|
Belfast
|
|
FJ
|
Exeter
|
OG
|
Birmingham
|
X
|
Northumberland
|
|
FK
|
Dudley
|
OH
|
Birmingham
|
XA
|
London
|
|
FL
|
Peterborough
|
OJ
|
Birmingham
|
XB
|
London
|
|
FM
|
Chester
|
OK
|
Birmingham
|
XC
|
London
|
|
FN
|
Maidstone
|
OL
|
Birmingham
|
XD
|
London
|
|
FO
|
Gloucester
|
OM
|
Birmingham
|
XE
|
London
|
|
FP
|
Leicester
|
ON
|
Birmingham
|
XF
|
London
|
|
FR
|
Preston
|
OO
|
Chelmsford
|
XG
|
Middlesbrough
|
|
FS
|
Edinburgh
|
OP
|
Birmingham
|
XH
|
London
|
|
FT
|
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
|
OR
|
Portsmouth
|
XI
|
Belfast
|
|
FU
|
Lincoln
|
OS
|
Glasgow
|
XJ
|
Manchester
|
|
FV
|
Preston
|
OT
|
Portsmouth
|
XK
|
London
|
|
FW
|
Lincoln
|
OU
|
Bristol
|
XL
|
London
|
|
FX
|
Bournemouth
|
OV
|
Birmingham
|
XM
|
London
|
|
FY
|
Liverpool
|
OX
|
Birmingham
|
XN
|
London
|
|
FZ
|
Belfast
|
OW
|
Southampton
|
XO
|
London
|
|
G
|
Glasgow
|
OY
|
LondonNW
|
XP
|
London
|
|
GA
|
Glasgow
|
OZ
|
Belfast
|
XR
|
London
|
|
GB
|
Glasgow
|
P
|
Surrey
|
XS
|
Paisley
|
|
GC
|
LondonSW
|
PA
|
Guildford
|
XT
|
London
|
|
GD
|
Glasgow
|
PB
|
Guildford
|
XU
|
London
|
|
GE
|
Glasgow
|
PC
|
Guildford
|
XV
|
London
|
|
GF
|
LondonSW
|
PD
|
Guildford
|
XW
|
London
|
|
GG
|
Glasgow
|
PE
|
Guildford
|
XY
|
London
|
|
GH
|
LondonSW
|
PF
|
Guildford
|
Y
|
Somerset
|
|
GJ
|
LondonSW
|
PG
|
Guildford
|
YA
|
Taunton
|
|
GK
|
LondonSW
|
PH
|
Guildford
|
YB
|
Taunton
|
|
GL
|
Truro
|
PJ
|
Guildford
|
YC
|
Taunton
|
|
GM
|
Reading
|
PK
|
Guildford
|
YD
|
Taunton
|
|
GN
|
LondonSW
|
PL
|
Guildford
|
YE
|
LondonC
|
|
GO
|
LondonSW
|
PM
|
Guildford
|
YF
|
LondonC
|
|
GP
|
LondonSW
|
PN
|
Brighton
|
YG
|
Leeds
|
|
GR
|
Newcastle
|
PO
|
Portsmouth
|
YH
|
LondonC
|
|
GS
|
Luton
|
PP
|
Luton
|
YJ
|
Brighton
|
|
GT
|
LondonSW
|
PR
|
Bournemouth
|
YK
|
LondonC
|
|
GU
|
LondonSE
|
PS
|
Aberdeen
|
YL
|
LondonC
|
|
GV
|
Ipswich
|
PT
|
Newcastle
|
YM
|
LondonC
|
|
GW
|
LondonSE
|
PU
|
Chelmsford
|
YN
|
LondonC
|
|
GX
|
LondonSE
|
PV
|
Ipswich
|
YO
|
LondonC
|
|
GY
|
LondonSE
|
PW
|
Norwich
|
YP
|
LondonC
|
|
GZ
|
Belfast
|
PX
|
Portsmouth
|
YR
|
LondonC
|
|
H
|
London
|
PY
|
Middlesbrough
|
YS
|
Glasgow
|
|
HA
|
Dudley
|
PZ
|
Belfast
|
YT
|
LondonC
|
|
HB
|
Cardiff
|
Q
|
NumberswithQ
|
YU
|
LondonC
|
|
HC
|
Brighton
|
|
aretemporaryor
|
YV
|
LondonC
|
|
HD
|
Huddersfield
|
|
one-offspecials
|
YW
|
LondonC
|
|
HE
|
Sheffield
|
R
|
Derbyshire
|
YX
|
LondonC
|
|
HF
|
Liverpool
|
RA
|
Nottingham
|
YY
|
LondonC
|
|
HG
|
Preston
|
RB
|
Nottingham
|
Z
|
Dublin
|
|
HH
|
Carlisle
|
RC
|
Nottingham
|
ZA
|
Dublin
|
|
HJ
|
Chelmsford
|
RD
|
Reading
|
ZC
|
Dublin
|
|
HK
|
Chelmsford
|
RE
|
Stoke-on-Trent
|
ZD
|
Dublin
|
|
HL
|
Sheffield
|
RF
|
Stoke-on-Trent
|
ZE
|
Dublin
|
|
HM
|
LondonC
|
RG
|
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
|
ZG
|
Dublin
|
|
HN
|
Middlesbrough
|
RH
|
Hull
|
ZH
|
Dublin
|
|
HO
|
Bournemouth
|
RJ
|
Manchester
|
ZJ
|
Dublin
|
|
HP
|
Coventry
|
RK
|
LondonNW
|
ZL
|
Dublin
|
|
HR
|
Swindon
|
RL
|
Truro
|
ZO
|
Dublin
|
|
HS
|
Glasgow
|
RP
|
Northampton
|
ZU
|
Dublin
|
|
HT
|
Bristol
|
RM
|
Carlisle
|
|
|
1963 to 1983
While the last two letter identifiers remained, the number plate format again changed
in 1963, this time with a suffix letter being added, indicating a particular year,
starting in February of 1963. “AAA123 C” would indicate that the vehicle was originally
registered in Bournemouth between January and December 1965.
In 1967 the licencing authorities decided to make the registration year commence
in August and as a result make the new suffix letter “F”, run from August 1967 to
July 1968. The following list of “Suffix Numbers” indicate the appropriate years:
|
A
|
February 1963 to December 1963
|
L
|
August 1972 to July 1973
|
|
B
|
January 1964 to December 1964
|
M
|
August 1973 to July 1974
|
|
C
|
January 1965 to December 1965
|
N
|
August 1974 to July 1975
|
|
D
|
January 1966 to December 1966
|
P
|
August 1975 to July 1976
|
|
E
|
January 1967 to July 1967
|
R
|
August 1976 to July 1977
|
|
F
|
August 1967 to July 1968
|
S
|
August 1977 to July 1978
|
|
G
|
August 1968 to July 1969
|
T
|
August 1978 to July 1979
|
|
H
|
August 1969 to July 1970
|
V
|
August 1979 to July 1980
|
|
J
|
August 1970 to July 1971
|
W
|
August 1980 to July 1981
|
|
K
|
August 1971 to July 1972
|
X
|
August 1981 to July 1982
|
|
|
|
Y
|
August 1982 to July 1983
|
1983 to 2001
As a result of the alphabet “running out” in July 1983, the format was once again
modified to drop the suffix, but include a prefix letter and at the same time reverse
the registration number, “C123 AAA” etc. This, with one or two modifications for
the car trade to try and offset a dearth of sales throughout the quiet half of the
year, saw us up until August 2001, where it ran out with the prefix “Y”, as the
following list shows:
|
A
|
August 1983 to July 1984
|
L
|
August 1993 to July 1994
|
|
B
|
August 1984 to July 1985
|
M
|
August 1994 to July 1995
|
|
C
|
August 1985 to July 1986
|
N
|
August 1995 to July 1996
|
|
D
|
August 1986 to July 1987
|
P
|
August 1996 to July 1997
|
|
E
|
August 1987 to July 1988
|
R
|
August 1997 to July 1998
|
|
F
|
August 1987 to July 1989
|
S
|
August 1998 to February 1999
|
|
G
|
August 1988 to July 1990
|
T
|
March 1999 to August 1999
|
|
H
|
August 1989 to July 1991
|
V
|
September 1999 to February 2000
|
|
J
|
August 1990 to July 1992
|
W
|
March 2000 to August 2000
|
|
K
|
August 1991 to July 1993
|
X
|
September 2000 to February 2001
|
|
|
|
Y
|
March 2001 to August 2001
|
2001 to Date
A major change in the format of Registration Numbering occurred in September 2001
with the introduction of an Area letter followed by a Local Office Identifier. This
double lettering was followed by a double digit age identifier which changed every
6 months, in the months of September and March, the first indicating which half
of the year with the second indicating the year of registration, followed by three
totally random letters. Therefore “AA 57 AAA” would have been issued in the Area
of Anglia at the Local Office of Peterborough between September 2007 and February
2008 as the following tables show:
|
Area Letter
|
Area
|
Local Office
|
DVLA Local Office Identifier
|
|
A
|
Anglia
|
Peterborough
|
A B C D E F G H J K L M N
|
|
|
|
Norwich
|
O P R S T U
|
|
|
|
Ipswich
|
V W X Y
|
|
B
|
Birmingham
|
Birmingham
|
A – Y
|
|
C
|
Cymru
|
Cardiff
|
A B C D E F G H J K L M N O
|
|
|
|
Swansea
|
P R S T U V
|
|
|
|
Bangor
|
W X Y
|
|
D
|
Chester to Shrewsbury
|
Chester
|
A B C D E F G H J K
|
|
|
|
Shrewsbury
|
L M N O P R S T U V W X Y
|
|
E
|
Essex
|
Chelmsford
|
A – Y
|
|
F
|
Forrest & Fens
|
Nottingham
|
A B C D E F G H J K L M N P
|
|
|
|
Lincoln
|
R S T V W X Y
|
|
G
|
Garden of England
|
Maidstone
|
A B C D E F G H J K L M N O
|
|
|
|
Brighton
|
P R S T U V W X Y
|
|
H
|
Hampshire & Dorset
|
Bournemouth
|
A B C D E F G H J
|
|
|
|
Portsmouth
|
K L M N O P R S T U V W X Y
|
|
K
|
|
Borehamwood
|
A B C D E F G H J K L
|
|
|
|
Northampton
|
M N O P R S T U V W X Y
|
|
L
|
London
|
Wimbledon
|
A B C D E F G H J
|
|
|
|
Borehamwood
|
K L M N O P R S T
|
|
|
|
Sidcup
|
U V W X Y
|
|
M
|
Manchester & Merseyside
|
Manchester
|
A – Y ( Except N & MAN Reserved for the Isle of Man )
|
|
N
|
North
|
Newcastle
|
A B C D E F G H J K L M N O
|
|
|
|
Stockton
|
P R S T U V W X Y
|
|
O
|
Oxford
|
Oxford
|
A – Y
|
|
P
|
Preston
|
Preston
|
A B C D E F G H J K L M N O P R S T
|
|
|
|
Carlisle
|
U V W X Y
|
|
R
|
Reading
|
Theale
|
A – Y
|
|
S
|
Scotland
|
Glasgow
|
A B C D E F G H J
|
|
|
|
Edinburgh
|
K L M N O
|
|
|
|
Dundee
|
P R S T
|
|
|
|
Aberdeen
|
U V W
|
|
|
|
Inverness
|
X Y
|
|
V
|
Severn Valley
|
Worcester
|
A – Y
|
|
W
|
West of England
|
Exeter
|
A B C D E F G H J
|
|
|
|
Truro
|
K L
|
|
|
|
Bristol
|
M N O P R S T U V W X Y
|
|
Y
|
Yorkshire
|
Leeds
|
A B C D E F G H J K
|
|
|
|
Sheffield
|
L M N O P R S T U
|
|
|
|
Beverley
|
V W X Y
|
Note: The letters I, Q & Z are not used as Local Office Identifiers. The double
digit Age Identifiers between the two groups of letters gives an indication, within
6 months, of when the vehicle was originally registered as the following table shows:
|
Date
|
Code
|
Date
|
Code
|
|
|
|
September 2001 – February 2002
|
51
|
|
March 2002 – August 2002
|
02
|
September 2002 – February 2003
|
53
|
|
March 2003 – August 2003
|
03
|
September 2003 – February 2004
|
53
|
|
March 2004 – August 2004
|
04
|
September 2004 – February 2005
|
54
|
|
March 2005 – August 2005
|
05
|
September 2005 – February 2006
|
55
|
|
March 2006 – August 2006
|
06
|
September 2006 – February 2007
|
56
|
|
March 2007 – August 2007
|
07
|
September 2007 – February 2008
|
57
|
|
March 2008 – August 2008
|
08
|
September 2008 – February 2009
|
58
|
|
March 2009 – August 2009
|
09
|
September 2009 – February 2010
|
59
|
|
March 2010 – August 2010
|
10
|
September 2010 – February 2011
|
60
|
|
March 2011 – August 2011
|
11
|
September 2011 – February 2012
|
61
|
|
March 2012 – August 2012
|
12
|
September 2012 – February 2013
|
62
|
This pattern of Area, Local office and Age Identifiers is intended to continue until
all permutations are exhausted, somewhere about 2049, and when reversed will run
through till 2099. Time enough to contemplate an even more complicated system.
Non-UK Registration Number Systems
As a comparison to the British registration format, we have given below a very brief
introduction to a few of the world’s other registration formats:
Austria
The Registration plate normally commences with up to two letters indicating the
Administration District which the vehicle was registered in, followed by the heraldic
emblem of that Province and thereafter a mix of up to six numbers and or letters
always ending with the letters.
Australia
The State the vehicle was registered in is normally “written” across the top or
bottom of the plate with varying colour options being used. The normal format of
numbering is now three letters followed by three numbers with the various States
or Territories being “allocated” specific groupings depending on population densities.
France
The registration starts with two, three or four random numbers followed by two or
three random letters and culminating with two numbers which indicated the Department
or region the vehicle was registered in. On 15th October 2009, however, this format
was changed to two letters, three numbers and two letters, each grouping separated
by hyphens and all totally random, but with the addition of a blue strip on the
extreme right hand side with the issuing department number and logo of the issuing
region embossed on it.
Germany
The first two letters of the German registration indicate the City or Region the
vehicle was registered in, followed by the safety and emission emblems, thereafter
one or two letters followed by up to four numbers separated by a hyphen, both groupings
being totally random.
Guernsey
Registrations in Guernsey have no letters whatsoever and up to six numbers, which
are issued in numerical order.
Holland
The Dutch Registration format used to be three groupings of two letters or numbers,
each group separated by a hyphen. In 2006 this format changed to up to two letters
or numbers, followed by a group of three letters or numbers and a last group of
two letters or numbers, again each group separated by a hyphen. Registrations were
issued in alphanumerical / numerical order, hence the plate relates only to the
date of registration and not it’s place of origin.
Jersey
Jersey registrations start with the letter “J” followed by up to six numbers, issued
in numerical order.
New Zealand
Before 2001 all New Zealand registrations had two letters followed by up to four
numbers. In 2001 this changed to a three letter and up to three number format. The
first two letters being issued alphanumerically, the third being random.
Russia
Registration numbers are set out with one letter followed by three numbers and two
more letters. On the extreme right hand side they have the Region Number the vehicle
was registered in with the letters RUS and the Russian flag below.
Switzerland
The first two letters indicate which of the 26 Cantons the vehicle was registered
in, followed by the Swiss flag, before up to six numbers and finally the attributed
Canton Shield.
United States and Canada
Registration numbers, or “Tags”, are issued by each State, Province or Territory,
and the appearance of each is frequently chosen to contain slogans, symbols, shapes
and colours which are associated with each one. They are normally issued alphanumerically
and numerically but the format varies widely throughout, with different numbers
of letters and numbers, and sometimes with hyphens between.