The 25 number plate change is the point on 1 March when the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) starts issuing registrations with the age identifier 25 on new vehicles. Under the current number plate style, the two digits in the middle of a plate (as in AB25 CDE) show when a vehicle was first registered, and they change twice a year: in March to the last two digits of the year, and in September to that year plus 50.
Part of Personalised Number Plates. Start with the main guide: Cherished Plates: What They Are and How They Work
Updated October 2026 · Independent information, not legal advice
The March and September cycle shapes when people buy cars, when dealers advertise and when a 25 reg plate or a 75 reg plate is worth choosing. This explains the cycle using 25 as the worked example, what it means for buyers, dealers and keepers, and how a new car gets its registration from the DVLA.
What Is The 25 Number Plate Change?
The change is the March switch of the age identifier from 74 to 25 on newly registered vehicles in Great Britain. It is a routine twice-yearly update by the DVLA, not a change in the law about plates.
What does a 25 reg plate show?
A 25 reg plate shows the vehicle was first registered between 1 March and the end of August 2025. Every plate in the AB25 CDE layout carries that identifier in the middle, so the age is readable at a glance.
What does a 75 reg plate show?
A 75 reg plate shows first registration between 1 September 2025 and the end of February 2026. The September identifier is the year plus 50, which is how 2025 becomes 75.
Why Do UK Number Plates Change Twice A Year?
The current-style system, introduced in September 2001, was designed so that registrations are issued in two waves, which spreads demand for new cars across the year instead of bunching it in one month.
- March gives the identifier equal to the year (25 for 2025).
- September gives the year plus 50 (75 for 2025).
- Between those dates the identifier stays the same for every new registration.
- The pattern repeats each year, so 26 and 76 follow 25 and 75.
Who decides the dates?
The DVLA, as the agency that registers vehicles and issues registration numbers, sets how the identifiers run. The rules are published on GOV.UK, and the dates have been stable for years.
How Does The March And September Cycle Work?
The cycle is simple: one March change and one September change, each lasting six months. The table sets out the worked example for 25 and the next pair.
| Identifier | First registered | Rule for the number | Example plate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 1 March to end of August 2025 | Last two digits of the year | AB25 CDE |
| 75 | 1 September 2025 to end of February 2026 | Year plus 50 | AB75 CDE |
| 26 | 1 March to end of August 2026 | Last two digits of the year | AB26 CDE |
| 76 | 1 September 2026 to end of February 2027 | Year plus 50 | AB76 CDE |
What happens at the turn of the year?
The 75 identifier runs across the new calendar year until the end of February. That is why a car registered in January can still wear a plate that looks as if it belongs to the previous year.
When Does The 25 Plate Come Out And When Is The 75 Plate Release Date?
New 25 registrations begin on 1 March and 75 registrations begin on 1 September. The 75 plate release date is therefore the first day of September, the same pattern every year. There is a separate explanation of when the 25 plate comes out and of when 75 plates come out.
Why is the first day of March so busy?
Dealers register stock on the first day of March so cars carry the freshest identifier. Many forecourts open early, and showrooms often run launch events around new plate day.
What Changes For People Buying A New Car?
Buyers see the identifier on the plate and the registration date on the V5C, and the cycle affects what is available and when. Cars registered just before a change are sometimes sold as the previous plate, and some buyers wait for the new one.
- A car registered in February wears the older identifier even though it is brand new.
- Stock registered in the final days of a period is sometimes described as a "pre-reg" or nearly new.
- The age identifier does not change the vehicle's specification.
- The first MOT is normally due on the third anniversary of registration, so timing matters later.
Does waiting for the new plate pay off?
It depends on the car, the dealer and the market. Some buyers prefer to avoid a car about to look older, while others use the identifier to negotiate on stock still wearing the previous plate.
What Changes For Dealers?
Dealers plan around the two dates. They typically register new stock close to the change, advertise by identifier and manage the cars that were registered just before the switch.
- Dealers register vehicles and arrange the first vehicle tax before handover.
- The registration number is allocated by the DVLA at the point of registration, not chosen from the forecourt.
- Customers who hold a private plate can usually ask for it to be put on the new car at registration, subject to DVLA conditions.
What Changes For Existing Keepers?
Almost nothing. Older plates stay valid for as long as the vehicle exists, and you do not have to change a plate because a new identifier has started.
Is an older plate still legal?
Yes. A prefix, suffix or earlier current-style plate remains legal as long as it meets the plate standard and shows the vehicle's own registration. Only the identifier on new registrations changes.
Does the change affect MOT or tax?
No. Your MOT date follows the first registration date and each test, and vehicle excise duty follows the rules in force for your vehicle. Use the free MOT check to see when yours is due.
How Do You Register A New Car With The DVLA?
To register new car stock or a single vehicle bought new, the dealer normally registers it, so the DVLA allocates the number and records the registered keeper. For other routes, GOV.UK sets out what is needed.
- The dealer or manufacturer confirms the vehicle details.
- The vehicle is registered and the DVLA allocates the registration number.
- The first vehicle tax is arranged before the car is used on the road.
- The DVLA issues a V5C to the registered keeper, usually by post.
- The plates are made and fitted by a registered supplier.
What does new car registration involve?
New car registration records the vehicle's make, model, VIN and keeper. The registration number is a separate item that can be the standard allocation or a number the buyer has already bought.
Can you register a new car yourself?
Possibly, in certain cases such as imports, kit cars or rebuilt vehicles. Each has specific requirements, so start from the DVLA's explanation of its role and GOV.UK.
What Is A New Car Reg In The UK?
A new car reg UK is the registration number allocated when a car is first registered in Great Britain, and a person looking for a new car reg UK is usually asking either which plate their car will get or whether to buy a private one.
Can you choose your new car's registration?
In general, yes, if you buy or hold a private number first, though not every combination is available. The DVLA's conditions apply, and the number must not make the car look newer than it is.
Can A Private Plate Go On A New Car?
Yes, a private plate can usually be assigned to a new car, either by the dealer at registration or afterwards by the keeper, provided the DVLA conditions are met.
Using a certificate of entitlement
A V750 certificate of entitlement shows a number bought from the DVLA that is waiting to be assigned. The keeper can use it to put the number on a vehicle.
Using a retention document
A V778 retention document shows a number taken off a previous vehicle and held. Read how to retain a number plate before moving it. The V317 form route is one way of applying, and there are online routes on GOV.UK.
Is A 25 Or 75 Plate Worth More As A Personalised Plate?
Not by itself. The value of a personalised number plate depends on how readable, short and memorable it is, and a plate with the 25 or 75 identifier is just one of many current-style combinations.
What about dateless plates?
A dateless plate carries no age identifier, so it is not tied to the March and September cycle. See the dateless number plates explanation for how they work.
How Do Prefix And Suffix Plates Fit In?
Before the current style came in, plates used a year letter. A prefix plate (1983 to 2001) put the letter first, and a suffix plate (1963 to 1983) put it last.
Is the current number plate the same everywhere?
The current number plate style applies in Great Britain. Northern Ireland uses a different format and does not follow the March and September identifiers.
What Does A Legal Plate Need?
Whatever the identifier, a plate has to be made to BS AU 145e, be reflective, use the legal font and carry the supplier's details. The legal number plates rules cover the full list.
- The typeface is a version of Charles Wright 2001, and the spacing is fixed.
- The front plate is white and the rear plate is yellow.
- Only a registered number plate supplier may make plates.
- Suppliers must see proof of identity and entitlement to the number.
Can you fit a plate yourself?
You can fit a plate you have lawfully obtained, though it must come from a registered supplier. See how to put a number plate on a car.
Are Electric Cars Different?
An electric car is registered in the same way and gets the same identifier. The difference is optional: a zero-emission vehicle may display a green flash on its plate under the current rules.
What About Vans, Bikes And Imports?
Vans and cars follow the same system. Motorcycles carry a rear plate only, and imported vehicles are registered under their own process, so check GOV.UK for the route that applies.
Does a classic or historic vehicle change?
Older vehicles keep their original registration. A classic is not forced onto a new identifier, and a number that looks newer than the vehicle is not allowed.
Does The March Change Affect Road Tax?
Not directly. Vehicle excise duty depends on the vehicle, not the identifier, and rates are set annually. Read vehicle excise duty explained and see road tax online for how to pay.
How Can You Check What A Plate Says About A Car?
Enter the registration into the free number plate check to see make, model, colour, year, MOT and tax. The identifier gives a rough age, and the record gives the facts.
What can't a plate tell you?
A plate does not show finance, insurance or write-off history. For a used purchase, a used car lookup and a history check help.
Where Is The Date On The V5C?
The V5C records the date of first registration, which is what the identifier is based on. See the V5C issue date for what the document shows and the vehicle registration document for the other fields.
What Are Common Mistakes Around The Change?
People often misread the system. Reading the identifier wrongly is the most frequent error.
- Assuming 75 means 1975 (it means September 2025 to February 2026).
- Believing a new plate must be fitted to an older car.
- Treating a "new plate" as a guarantee of a newer specification.
- Buying a number that makes a car look newer than it is.
- Ignoring the registration date on the V5C.
Myths About The 25 Plate
Several myths circulate each March.
- Myth: the new plate is more valuable. The identifier alone does not set a plate's value.
- Myth: older plates become illegal. They do not.
- Myth: you must reregister to get the new year. Registration is by first registration date.
How Does The Cycle Read In The Year Chart?
The number plate year chart lists identifiers by year, and how to read a UK number plate walks through the letters. The area codes show what the first two letters mean.
Quick Checklist For New Plate Day
A short checklist helps whether you are buying, selling or keeping.
- Confirm the registration date on the V5C.
- Check the plates are from a registered supplier.
- Confirm tax is arranged before the first drive.
- Check any private plate paperwork is complete.
- Note the first MOT date.
- Look up the vehicle on the free checker.
What Are People Really Asking About 25 Number Plate Changes UK March?
Searches about 25 number plate changes UK March usually come from three groups, each with a different question.
Buyers asking about timing
They want to know whether to buy before or after new plate day, and what a car registered in the last weeks of a period looks like on the forecourt.
Keepers asking about their own plate
They want reassurance that the plate they already have stays legal, and that nothing needs replacing because the age identifier has moved on.
Plate collectors asking about numbers
They look at how the identifier affects a personalised number plate, and whether a cherished number plate with a particular year digit has any appeal.
What Happens If A Car Is Registered Late In A Period?
A car registered in the final weeks of a period keeps that period's identifier for life. The registration is a permanent record from the date of first registration.
Can a dealer keep a car unregistered for the new plate?
Yes, in practice some stock stays unregistered so that it can take the next identifier. Whether that is wise is a commercial matter for the dealer.
How old is a car registered in February?
It is only days or weeks old but already carries the older identifier. The V5C and the MOT history show the real dates.
How Is A Registration Number Actually Allocated?
The DVLA allocates numbers in a controlled sequence by local office, and the memory tag at the start (the first two letters) reflects the region and office. The three random letters at the end complete the number.
What are the memory tag and the random letters?
The memory tag is the first two letters, and the final three letters are random. Some letters, such as I and Q, are not used in the random group. The exact allocation is the DVLA's.
Does the area code matter to buyers?
Often only as a matter of taste. The area codes show what the first two letters mean, and some buyers like a plate from their home area.
What Do You Need To Fit New Plates?
New plates have to be ordered from a registered supplier, who will ask for proof of identity and entitlement to the number.
- Your photo identity.
- Proof of address.
- The V5C, V750 or V778, depending on the number.
- A choice of plate type that meets the standard.
Why does the supplier ask for documents?
The check stops people from fitting a number that belongs to someone else, which helps against cloned plates. It is a legal duty for suppliers.
What If You Buy A Car And The Plates Look Wrong?
Plates that are cracked, faded, wrongly spaced or in the wrong font are not compliant, however new the car is.
Is it a problem on a nearly new car?
It can be. A nearly new car still needs legal plates, and if they are wrong the keeper is responsible, so replace them through a registered supplier.
What about novelty styles?
Styled or novelty plates are not legal on the road. A show plate is for display only and is not a substitute for the proper plates.
How Do You Tell A Plate's Age Without The Year Chart?
Look at the two digits in the middle. If they are 50 or under, add 2000 for the year. If they are 51 or over, subtract 50 and add 2000, and the registration is from September onwards.
Can you do this for every plate?
For current-style plates, yes. Prefix, suffix and dateless plates need different handling, covered in the year chart.
How Does The Cycle Look For Dealers' Advertising?
Adverts often name the identifier, such as "25 reg", because it is a shorthand for age and condition.
- It saves listing the full registration date.
- It lets buyers filter used stock by age.
- It can mislead if a car was registered long before it was sold.
How should buyers read a "25 plate" advert?
Treat it as a starting point and confirm the registration date, MOT and tax with the free number plate check.
What If A Car Has Already Been Registered Abroad?
A vehicle that was registered overseas and then brought to Great Britain is registered under a separate process, and the age identifier then reflects the UK registration date, not the foreign one.
How does an import differ?
An imported vehicle usually needs approval and the correct documents, and then the DVLA issues the registration. Check GOV.UK for the route that applies.
Is a nearly new import a "new car"?
Not for the plate. The identifier follows the date it was registered here.
Does the plate stay the same afterwards?
Yes, once issued the number stays with the vehicle unless a private plate is assigned.
- Keep every registration document.
- Do not alter the plate characters.
- Use only a registered supplier.
- Check the MOT date after import.
What If The DVLA Record And The Plate Disagree?
A mismatch between the registration on the car and the DVLA record is a warning sign, because it can point to a cloned or incorrect plate.
What should you do next?
Compare the registration and details, then contact the DVLA through GOV.UK. Do not drive on plates you know are wrong.
Where can you see the vehicle record?
The free lookup returns make, model, colour and year, which helps you match the car to its paperwork.
What Does This Mean For Used 25 And 75 Cars?
As these cars enter the used market, the identifier is a quick guide to age, and the first MOT will fall due on the third anniversary of registration.
How do you check a used one?
Read the MOT record and tax status, then ask for a full history check. A used car lookup is the starting point, not the end.
Where Is The Official Source?
The DVLA's pages on GOV.UK are the final word on registration, identifiers and private plates, and they are updated if anything changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 25 number plate change?
It is the 1 March update when new vehicles registered in Great Britain begin to carry the age identifier 25 in their plate, for example AB25 CDE. It is a routine part of the twice-yearly cycle run by the DVLA, and it does not alter the law on plates or make older plates invalid.
When does the 25 reg plate run to?
A 25 reg plate covers vehicles first registered from 1 March to the end of August 2025. From 1 September 2025 the identifier switches to 75, which then runs until the end of February 2026, when the cycle starts again with 26.
What is the 75 plate release date?
The 75 plate release date is 1 September 2025, because September identifiers are the year plus 50. The same pattern applies every year, so the September identifier for 2026 is 76. Check the DVLA's pages on GOV.UK for the current timetable if you are planning a purchase around it.
What does a 75 reg plate mean?
A 75 reg plate means the vehicle was first registered between 1 September 2025 and the end of February 2026. It does not mean 1975. The number simply follows the September rule of adding 50 to the last two digits of the year.
How do I register a new car?
If you buy new from a dealer, the dealer normally registers the vehicle with the DVLA, arranges the first vehicle tax and the DVLA sends a V5C to the registered keeper. For imports, kit cars or rebuilt vehicles the steps differ, so use GOV.UK to find the route that matches the vehicle.
How does new car registration work in the UK?
New car registration records the vehicle details and the registered keeper with the DVLA and allocates a registration number. The vehicle then needs tax before use on the road, and the plates must be made by a registered supplier. The first MOT is normally due on the third anniversary of registration.
Can I put a private plate on a new car?
Usually yes, if the DVLA conditions are met. You can ask the dealer to assign a number you already hold at registration, or assign it afterwards using your V750 or V778 documents. The number must not make the car look newer than it is, so check the current rules on GOV.UK.
Is an older plate illegal after the change?
No. Prefix, suffix and earlier current-style plates remain legal for the life of the vehicle, provided the plate meets the standard, is clean and legible, and shows the vehicle's own registration. The March change only affects the identifier given to newly registered vehicles.
Do Northern Ireland plates follow the same cycle?
No. Northern Ireland uses a different plate format and does not use the March and September age identifiers. Registration and vehicle tax for Northern Ireland are still handled by the DVLA, while vehicle testing and driver licensing are handled by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA).
Does the plate change affect road tax or the MOT?
Not by itself. Vehicle excise duty depends on the vehicle and the rules that apply to it, and the MOT date follows the date of first registration and subsequent tests. Check the vehicle's tax and MOT status with the free MOT and tax checks rather than guessing from the plate.
Are 25 plates worth more than other plates?
Not simply because of the identifier. The value of a personalised number plate comes from how short, readable and memorable it is, and the market sets the price. A 25 or 75 plate is one of many current-style combinations, so it has no special premium.
Can an electric car have a different plate?
An electric car gets the same type of registration as any other vehicle. The one difference is that a zero-emission vehicle may display a green flash on its plate if the owner chooses. The plate must still meet the legal standard for font, spacing and reflectivity.
What is auto registration?
Auto registration usually means the number is allocated automatically when a vehicle is registered, rather than chosen. The DVLA allocates the next suitable registration, with the current age identifier, and records it against the vehicle and its registered keeper. A keeper who wants a different number can later assign a private plate, subject to the DVLA conditions on GOV.UK.
Official Sources
Rules, fees and deadlines change. Confirm anything that affects your money or legal position with the official service.