UK Number Plate Decoder

Continue in the tool

More pages for this tool

what year is my UK number plate

What year is my UK number plate

The two numbers in the middle of a plate like AB26 CDE are the age identifier, and the rule to read them fits on one line. The full DVLA table runs from September 2001 to February 2050 and is in the Tables tab of the tool.

The age identifier rule

The current format has existed since 1 September 2001 and, per the DVLA in document INF104, carries a 2-letter memory tag, 2 numbers that tell when the vehicle was issued and 3 letters chosen at random. The identifier changes twice a year. From March to August it is the 2-digit year, so 2026 becomes 26. From September to February it is that number plus 50, so September 2026 becomes 76, and 76 stays valid in January and February 2027, crossing the new year.
To read it backwards, look at the two numbers. If they are from 02 to 49 there is nothing to compute: it is March to August of 2000 plus the number, so 17 is March to August 2017. If they are from 51 to 99, subtract 50 and the result is the year the half-year started, so 68 is September 2018 to February 2019. The DVLA table has no 00, 01 or 50, because the format only started in September 2001 (the 51) and the next cycle restarts after February 2050.
Two important caveats. The code marks the registration period, not the manufacture date: a car assembled in June may be registered in September and get the 76. And the DVLA says a registration number cannot be used to make a vehicle look younger, although personalised plates can be moved between vehicles. So treat the code as a strong clue to the age, never as proof, and check the car papers before buying.

Codes read

First code of the format

Input: BD51 SMR
Expected output: Setembro de 2001 a fevereiro de 2002, Birmingham

51 opened the format.

March half-year

Input: AB26 CDE
Expected output: Março a agosto de 2026, Peterborough

The 2-digit year.

September half-year

Input: SK76 ABC
Expected output: Setembro de 2026 a fevereiro de 2027, Edimburgo

26 plus 50.

Older 2018 code

Input: LK68 XYZ
Expected output: Setembro de 2018 a fevereiro de 2019, Borehamwood

68 minus 50 is 18.

Code that does not exist

Input: AB50 CDE
Expected output: Inválido

50 is not in the table.

Full tool FAQ

What do the two numbers on a UK plate mean?

They are the age identifier, which says in which half of the year the vehicle was registered. From March to August it is the two-digit year (26 for 2026). From September to February it is that number plus 50 (76 for September 2026 to February 2027).

When was an AB26 CDE plate registered?

Why do September plates add 50 to the year?

What do the first two letters mean?

Why are there no I, Q or Z on plates?

Can I tell the age of a plate from before 2001?

What about Northern Ireland plates?

Does the plate show the car's real age?

Does the tool check MOT, tax or vehicle history?

Can I put a generated plate on a car?

Frequently asked questions

Why do some September plates seem to point to the following year?

Because the September half-year crosses New Year. The 76 runs from September 2026 to February 2027, so a car registered in January 2027 still carries the 76.

How far does the table go?

The INF104 table lists up to 79 (September 2029 to February 2030) and says the pattern continues until the variations are used up. The tool computes by the same rule up to 99, which is February 2050.

Does the tool tell the make or model of the car?

No. It reads only the code printed on the plate, without querying the DVLA. Make, model, MOT and history require the official UK government services.

Next steps

The age identifier rule

The current format has existed since 1 September 2001 and, per the DVLA in document INF104, carries a 2-letter memory tag, 2 numbers that tell when the vehicle was issued and 3 letters chosen at random. The identifier changes twice a year. From March to August it is the 2-digit year, so 2026 becomes 26. From September to February it is that number plus 50, so September 2026 becomes 76, and 76 stays valid in January and February 2027, crossing the new year.

To read it backwards, look at the two numbers. If they are from 02 to 49 there is nothing to compute: it is March to August of 2000 plus the number, so 17 is March to August 2017. If they are from 51 to 99, subtract 50 and the result is the year the half-year started, so 68 is September 2018 to February 2019. The DVLA table has no 00, 01 or 50, because the format only started in September 2001 (the 51) and the next cycle restarts after February 2050.

Two important caveats. The code marks the registration period, not the manufacture date: a car assembled in June may be registered in September and get the 76. And the DVLA says a registration number cannot be used to make a vehicle look younger, although personalised plates can be moved between vehicles. So treat the code as a strong clue to the age, never as proof, and check the car papers before buying.

Codes read

First code of the format

Input: BD51 SMR
Expected output: Setembro de 2001 a fevereiro de 2002, Birmingham

51 opened the format.

March half-year

Input: AB26 CDE
Expected output: Março a agosto de 2026, Peterborough

The 2-digit year.

September half-year

Input: SK76 ABC
Expected output: Setembro de 2026 a fevereiro de 2027, Edimburgo

26 plus 50.

Older 2018 code

Input: LK68 XYZ
Expected output: Setembro de 2018 a fevereiro de 2019, Borehamwood

68 minus 50 is 18.

Code that does not exist

Input: AB50 CDE
Expected output: Inválido

50 is not in the table.

Full tool FAQ

What do the two numbers on a UK plate mean?

When was an AB26 CDE plate registered?

Why do September plates add 50 to the year?

What do the first two letters mean?

Why are there no I, Q or Z on plates?

Can I tell the age of a plate from before 2001?

What about Northern Ireland plates?

Does the plate show the car's real age?

Does the tool check MOT, tax or vehicle history?

Can I put a generated plate on a car?

Frequently asked questions

Why do some September plates seem to point to the following year?

Because the September half-year crosses New Year. The 76 runs from September 2026 to February 2027, so a car registered in January 2027 still carries the 76.

How far does the table go?

The INF104 table lists up to 79 (September 2029 to February 2030) and says the pattern continues until the variations are used up. The tool computes by the same rule up to 99, which is February 2050.

Does the tool tell the make or model of the car?

No. It reads only the code printed on the plate, without querying the DVLA. Make, model, MOT and history require the official UK government services.