If you are thinking about buying a new car, van or other vehicle, you may be wondering when the next new vehicle registration numbers will be released.

In the UK, new registration numbers are released twice a year, in March and September. These changes give new vehicles a different age identifier, making it easier to see when they were first registered.

But when exactly do new registration plates come out, and what do the numbers mean?

When are new registration numbers released?

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) releases new registration numbers every six months.

The new registration periods are:

• 1 March: A new registration series is introduced.
• 1 September: Another new registration series is introduced.

This system has been in place since 1999. Before then, new registration plates were released once a year in August.

For example:

Therefore, vehicles first registered from 1 September 2026 will normally receive a registration containing the 76 age identifier.

What do the numbers on a registration plate mean?

Modern UK registration numbers follow the format:

AA26 ABC

The first two letters identify the area where the vehicle was registered. The two numbers show when the vehicle was first registered. The final three letters are random.

The two-digit age identifier changes every six months.

For example:

• 26 = March to August 2026
• 76 = September 2026 to February 2027
• 27 = March to August 2027
• 77 = September 2027 to February 2028

This means you can often work out roughly when a vehicle was first registered simply by looking at its registration number.

Does a new registration number mean a new model?

Not necessarily.

A new registration number tells you when the vehicle was registered, not when the manufacturer launched the model.

A car registered with a 76 plate could be a brand-new model, an updated version of an existing model or a model that has been available for several years.

The registration number also does not tell you when the vehicle was manufactured.

Is it better to buy a new car in March or September?

March and September can be popular months for buying new vehicles because they mark the release of the new registration series.

Some buyers prefer to wait for the latest registration because they want their vehicle to have the newest possible age identifier. A newer registration can also make the vehicle easier to identify as a more recent purchase.

However, there can be advantages to buying at other times of the year.

Dealers may have vehicles in stock that they want to sell before a new registration series arrives. This can sometimes lead to offers or discounts, although the availability and value of these deals will vary.

If you are comparing vehicles, consider the total cost of buying and running the vehicle, rather than focusing only on the registration number.

Will a new registration affect my insurance?

A new registration number does not automatically mean that your insurance will cost more or less.

When an insurer calculates a premium, it can consider several factors. These can include the vehicle itself, its value, how it is used, where it is kept, the driver’s details and claims history.

If you buy a new vehicle, you should tell your insurer before you start using it. You may need to update your existing policy or arrange a new policy for the vehicle.

For business owners, the same principle applies. If you buy a new van, car or other commercial vehicle, make sure your business vehicle insurance covers the vehicle before you use it for business purposes.

Can you put an older registration on a new vehicle?

Yes, you can use a personalised registration on a vehicle in certain circumstances.

However, a registration number cannot legally make a vehicle appear younger than it really is. DVLA rules prevent motorists from using a registration to misrepresent a vehicle’s age.

For example, a registration with a 26 age identifier cannot be used to make a vehicle registered before March 2026 appear newer than it is.

DVLA also offers personalised registration numbers for purchase and assignment to eligible vehicles.

When is the next new registration number?

The latest registration series was introduced on 1 September 2026, when the 76 age identifier replaced 26.

The next new registration series will arrive on 1 March 2027, when the age identifier changes to 27.

So, if you are planning to buy a new vehicle, the two key dates to remember are:

1 March and 1 September.

These are the dates when the UK’s new vehicle registration numbers change.

Sources

1. 1. GOV.UK: Vehicle licensing statistics, January to March 2026 – Information on the March and September registration cycle.
   2. GOV.UK: Vehicle licensing statistics, notes and definitions – Information about seasonality and the release of new registration plates.
   3. DVLA Registrations: Current number plates – Information about current registration formats.