When Do New Number Plates Come Out?

For many car enthusiasts and automobile industry followers, the release of new number plates is a significant event. These occurrences, known as 'plate changes', happen twice a year and can stir excitement amongst drivers looking to get their hands on a brand new vehicle bearing the latest age marker. But when do these new plates actually come out? Let's dive into it.

A Dual Yearly Release

The DVLA has set a schedule for the release of new registrations with age markers. This happens twice every year: once in March and again in September. These two periods mark the points in the year when newly manufactured vehicles are assigned the latest number plate registrations.

The March Release

The first release of the year occurs on the 1st of March. This age marker is simple to understand because it mirrors the year of release. For example, in March 2023, the new age identifier will be '23', hence, vehicles registered between 1st March and end of August will have the number '23' as an age identifier.

The September Release

The second release, which happens on the 1st of September, is slightly more complicated. It involves adding 50 to the age identifier introduced in March of the same year. Therefore, in our previous example, the '23' from March would become '73' in September 2023. As a result, cars registered between 1st September 2023 and the end of February 2024 will carry the '73' age identifier.

Why Are There Two Releases per Year?

The practice of releasing new number plates twice a year was introduced in 1999 to even out the sales pattern in the motor industry. Prior to this, new registrations were only released once a year, which led to a huge demand for new cars on August 1st, the day the new plates were released. This placed a lot of pressure on dealerships and suppliers and created a skewed sales cycle. The two-release system has proven more effective, balancing the yearly sales and creating two exciting events for car enthusiasts.

Private Registrations: A Different Case

While the excitement around these releases often revolves around new cars, it's worth noting that new age identifiers can also provide fresh options for private registrations. For those who are interested in acquiring a personalised number plate, these periods could mean the perfect combination you've been waiting for is finally available. You can search for these new private registrations on our Utopia Plates Search page.

To sum up, if you're interested in having the latest number plate or eyeing up a brand-new vehicle, keep your eyes peeled in March and September. These months present golden opportunities to car buyers and number plate enthusiasts alike. Don't miss out on being one of the first to sport the latest age identifier on the road!