Overview
- Cars first registered from March 1, 2026 will carry the ‘26’ age identifier until the end of August, before switching to ‘76’ in September.
- More than 400 potentially offensive or provocative ‘26’ combinations have been withdrawn, with examples including AS26 HOL, GO26 WAR, and plates referencing UKR or RUS such as RU26 UKR.
- DVLA rules require reflective plates with black characters on white (front) and yellow (rear), no background pattern, the supplier’s details, and the BS AU 145e mark for plates fitted after September 1, 2021.
- Characters must be a single solid black in the standard typeface with correct spacing, though permitted options include 3D characters, approved flags or identifiers, and a green flash for zero‑emission vehicles.
- Experts urge buyers to use DVLA‑registered suppliers and avoid altered spacing, illegal fonts or novelty fixings, with police tightening checks as ANPR struggles with illegal or ‘ghost’ plates and more than 20,000 such incidents reported.