Understanding Vehicle Registration in the UK
Vehicle registration numbers in the UK follow a specific format that tells you important information about when and where the vehicle was registered.
Current Format (2001 - Present)
The current UK registration format consists of:
- Area code (2 letters) - indicates where the vehicle was first registered
- Age identifier (2 numbers) - shows when the vehicle was registered
- Random letters (3 letters) - unique identifier for each vehicle
How to Read Registration Numbers
Area Codes
The first two letters indicate the DVLA regional office:
- AA-AN: Anglia
- AO-AU: Birmingham
- AV-AY: Cymru (Wales)
- BA-BY: Birmingham
- CA-CO: Cymru (Wales)
Age Identifiers
The age identifier changes twice a year:
- March 1st: Uses the year (e.g., 24 for 2024)
- September 1st: Uses the year + 50 (e.g., 74 for September 2024)
Why This Matters
Understanding registration formats helps you:
- Determine a vehicle's age
- Identify potential registration issues
- Verify vehicle authenticity
- Make informed purchasing decisions
Using Lisense for Vehicle Checks
Our vehicle search tool makes it easy to check any UK vehicle registration and get comprehensive information including:
- MOT history and status
- Tax information
- Vehicle specifications
- Market valuation
Ready to check a vehicle? Use our search tool to get started!