Number plate checker
Enter a UK registration to check its format and decode when it was registered.
- Format
- Registration year
- Registered
- DVLA memory tag
That doesn't look like a valid UK registration.
Try a current-style plate such as .
This tool decodes the plate format only — it doesn't look up the vehicle. For real DVLA data, use the Vehicle Details API or try the sandbox.
How UK number plates show the year
Since September 2001, UK plates use the format two letters, two numbers, three letters (e.g. AB12 CDE). The two numbers are the age identifier: plates issued March–August use the year's last two digits (12 = 2012), and plates issued September–February add 50 (62 = Sep 2012–Feb 2013). Earlier prefix (1983–2001) and suffix (1963–1983) plates carry a single year letter instead.