On these familar old-style car number plates - and the even older ones in the format JPB 123R that preceeded them - the letter where the 'R' appears identifies the age of the car. The other numbers and letters were random.

Until near the the time that plates in this format were replaced, the age identifier letter changed just once a year - every August.

So a car with the 'R' reg plate shown above was registered between August 1997 and July 1998, and in August 1998 the letter changed to 'S'. Letters used, and the year of registration they correspond to, are shown below.

Letters never used as part of the standard number plate system were: I, O, U and Z, as they were too easily confused with numbers and other letters.

The letter Q was reserved only for use on vehicles whose age couldn't be properly identified, like kit cars built from parts or cars imported without proof of age.

In 1999, the new system of issuing registration letters twice a year - in March as well as in September - was introduced. So 'S' registrations switched to
'T' earlier than before - in March 1999 - and then on to 'V' in September 1999.

Once these final letters had been used up, the first plates in the new format were issued in September 2001. Click below to find out more ...

number plates - new system >>