Why does my car have a number plate?
75 Reg Plate Offers
We’ve officially transitioned to the September 75 plate! Kids are going back to school and Winter is around the corner which means the arrival of new car registration month!
Find your local dealer
From 1st September, all new cars come with the latest 75 Reg plate. Plate changes happen just twice a year, and it’s always one of the most popular times to upgrade.
The newest 75 Reg plate is a clear statement that you’re driving one of the latest cars on the road, while also helping protect your car’s value since newer regs often hold their resale price better.
Explore the latest 75 Reg offers at Chorley Group and be among the first to take the wheel of a brand-new plate!
Get your free valuation
Simply enter your reg, get a free valuation - Discover the value of your vehicle today
Get a great deal when you Part-Ex or Sell your car with us
How do UK number plates work?
With the 75 plate registration just around the corner, here’s a overview of how the UK number plate system works!
The 75 number plate will be released in September 2025 which means all car registered between 1st September 2025 and the last day of March 2026, will have the number 75.
This switch between March and September for number plates has been a tradition since 1999, and the two-letter code followed by the date number system has been in place since 2001. In the past, the system used single letters to indicate the year (for example, D-reg for 1986-87, with only one plate change in August).
Starting in September, the 75 plate will be reflected in the third and fourth characters on the plate, forming part of the three elements of a standard number plate. These consist of:
- Two letters representing the region where the car was registered (for instance, L for London and M for the Borehamwood area)
- Two numbers indicating the time frame of registration (in this case, 25 for March 2025 to September 2025)
- A combination of three randomly generated letters
Number plates issued from March to September will show two numbers representing the year, while plates issued from September onwards will add 50 to that year. Example: 25 (March Reg) + 50 = 75 (September Reg).
What are the rules number plates?
The UK is very strict on number plates so here is evereything you need to know.
For vehicles made after 1 January 1973, the front number plate needs to feature a white background, while the rear number plate should have a cheerful yellow background.
There are some important guidelines about the letters and numbers on the registration plate, and they are as follows:
- Characters should be 79mm and 50mm wide (with the exception of the number 1 or letter I).
- The thickness of each character stroke needs to be 14mm.
- Make sure there's an 11mm space between characters.
- The gap between the age identifier and the random letters should be 33mm.
- Margins at the top, bottom, and sides should measure 11mm.
- There should be a 19mm vertical space between the age identifier and the random numbers.
- Since 2001, the font used for number plates has been the Charles Wright font.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Reg Plates.
When do UK number plates change?
Do you need a front number plate in the UK?
Where can I get number plates made?
What information can you get from a UK number plate?
What is a private number plate?