Number plate guide: When did the new number plates come out?
New car registration plates change twice a year in the UK. The 76 plate was introduced on 1 September.
If you’re planning to sell your car, or buy a new one, understanding how the number plate system works and how to read plates to tell your car’s registration year, can help you get the best price for your car, or a good deal with your next purchase.
When a new set of registration plates launches, some cars may see a drop in value as they effectively become another registration year older. The impact tends to be greater on newer models than older cars that are already further along in their depreciation journey.
Our helpful guide covers the release dates for the 76 and 27 plates, how number plates change in the UK, and how plate changes can impact resale value.
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When did the 76 plates come out?
The 76 registration plates were released on 1 September 2026. The UK's number plate system changes twice a year:
- 1 March: New plate reflecting the current year.
- 1 September: Updated plate reflecting the second half of the year.
So, the registration schedule for 2026 and 2027 looks like this:
| Registration | Release date | Used until |
|---|---|---|
| 26 plate | 1 March 2026 | 31 August 2026 |
| 76 plate | 1 September 2026 | 28 February 2027 |
| 27 plate | 1 March 2027 | 31 August 2027 |
| 77 plate | 1 September 2027 | 28 February 2028 |
What does a 76 plate mean?
A 76 plate simply means a car was first registered between September 2026 and February 2027.
Since 2001, UK number plates have followed the same 'infix' structure: two letters, followed by two numbers, followed by three letters.
Example format:
AB76 CDE
Here's a breakdown of how to read an infix plate:
- First two letters: An area code, which denotes where the vehicle was registered.
- Two numbers: The age identifier.
- Last three letters: Random characters.
The 76 in the example plate indicates it was registered between 1 September 2026 and 28 February 2027.
Why do number plates change twice a year?
The UK uses a biannual number plate system to keep the car market moving and help buyers easily identify a vehicle's age.
Changing plates twice a year helps:
- Make a vehicle's age easier to recognise.
- Encourage new car purchases.
- Spread vehicle registrations more evenly throughout the year.
For buyers, it also means there are two peak periods for new car sales every year: around March and September.
Why are the 26 and 76 plates important for car buyers?
The introduction of new number plates can have a noticeable impact on the car market, which is why many buyers pay close attention to them.
In the UK, new registration plates are introduced twice a year. In 2026, the 26 plate launched on 1 March and the 76 plate arrived on 1 September.
For drivers planning to buy a car, these registration updates can influence both timing and price, especially if you're choosing between a brand-new model and a nearly new vehicle.
If you’re keen on getting a good price, the best time to sell your car could be before the next plate change, as once this happens, your car is another registration older.
The appeal of the latest registration
Many buyers enjoy the prestige of owning a motor with the latest plate.
A newer registration can make a vehicle appear more current and may help its resale appeal when the owner decides to sell or trade it in. Because of this, demand for new cars often increases around the March and September plate changes.
For example, a car registered with a 76 plate may appear newer than an identical model registered with a 26 plate, even if the vehicles are only a few months apart in age.
More nearly new cars entering the market
New registration launches often encourage drivers to upgrade to the latest model, trading in their existing car.
When this happens, it can increase the number of nearly new vehicles entering the used car market, giving buyers more choice.
These cars are often only one or two years old and may offer many of the same features as a new vehicle, sometimes at a lower price.
Opportunities for discounts on older registrations
Another effect of a new registration period is that dealers may want to move vehicles registered under the previous plate.
For instance, after the 26 plate launched in March 2026, some cars registered with the 75 plate became more competitively priced as dealers made room for new stock.
The same has happened with the 76 plates, creating opportunities for buyers who aren't focused on having the newest possible registration.
What happens to a car's value when there's a new plate?
While a plate change is a great time for prestige seeking new car buyers, it can reduce used car valuations across the market. This is driven by two key factors:
- Perceived age: A car registered on 31 August (a 26 plate) can feel "a year older" than another motor registered on 1 September (a 76 plate), despite both cars being mechanically identical and only registered one day apart. Cars that are deemed older typically command a lower resale price on the market in favour of the newest models.
- Used market supply surge: New plate launches trigger a wave of trade-ins from drivers wanting to upgrade their car to the newest plate. When trade-in volumes are high for a specific model, stock can outpace buyer demand, which may reduce resale value.
Thinking about selling your car? Enter your reg and mileage into our free car valuation tool to get a quote in under 30 seconds. Our tool uses live market data to show you what your car could be worth.
Timing your purchase around the next plate
Choosing when to buy a new car can depend on whether you prioritise having the latest registration or getting the best price.
Buying soon after a new plate launches in March or September means you'll enjoy the latest reg plate for as long as possible.
However, waiting until just before the next plate change comes with its own advantages, including:
- More competitive pricing on vehicles with the outgoing plate.
- A wider selection of nearly new vehicles entering the used market.
- Less competition from buyers specifically looking for the newest registration.
For example, once a new plate launches, vehicles registered with the outgoing plate may become more attractive to buyers looking for value.
Planning to sell your car before the next plate arrives?
Many motorists choose to sell their car before a new plate launches to avoid further value drops.
Selling before a new registration appears can help you retain value because:
- Your car may seem less 'dated' to buyers.
- Demand for used cars often increases as a new registration period approaches.
The best time to sell your car ahead of the plate changes
Timing is everything when it comes to maximising your car's resale value. To secure the best valuation for your car ahead of the next plate change, we recommend aiming for:
- The pre-March window (late January–mid-February): Lock in your sale before the March influx to take advantage of the period when used vehicle stock is still lower, and demand remains high.
- The pre-September window (late July–mid-August): Sell before 1 September to retain your car's current age-bracket pricing. Once the calendar turns to September, your registration is another plate older.
Waiting until April or October, once the registration plate changes have already come out, could mean increased competition from newly traded-in stock on top of taking a depreciation hit from the plate change.
To lock in the best valuation for your car ahead of the plate changes, use our free online car valuation tool to check how much your car is currently worth.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Cars registered from 1 September 2026 carry a '76' registration plate, in line with the DVLA’s six-month plate cycle.
From March to August, new plates use the last two digits of the year (e.g. ‘26’ in 2026, ‘27’ in 2027). From September to February, they use the year’s last two digits plus 50 (e.g., ‘76’ in September 2026 and ‘77’ in September 2027).
The next number plate will be the 27 plate, launching on 1 March 2027.
The 26 plates were used for all new cars registered between 1 March and 31 August 2026.
From 1 September 2026, new vehicles receive the '76' plate until 1 March 2027, when the new 27 plates will be rolled out.
No, DVLA rules state that a car cannot display a number plate that makes it appear newer than it is.
For example, a vehicle first registered in 2019 cannot legally display a 26 plate, because this would suggest the car was registered in 2026.
This rule also applies to personalised number plates. While private plates can be transferred between vehicles, the age identifier cannot be newer than the car's original registration year.
The 27 plate will be rolled out from 1 March 2027 until 31 August 2027. The 77 plate then launches on 1 September 2027 and will be assigned to all new cars until the end of February 2028.
The new registration plate released in March 2027 will be the 27 plate.
When new registration plate changes come into effect, cars with older plates can drop in value, although the exact value loss depends on factors such as your car’s make, model, and age.
Check the current resale value of your car using our free online valuation tool for an estimate of how much your car is worth.
If you’re planning to sell your car, waiting for a new registration to come out can negatively impact your resale value, as your car may be competing with an influx of newer stock.
However, it’s also worth bearing in mind that factors such as price, condition, and features often matter more than the registration plate, and finding the right car at the right price can often be more valuable than holding out for the next plate change.
A new plate release doesn't automatically raise your insurance premiums, but upgrading to a newer car can have an impact, depending on the vehicle. Higher value cars, larger engines, and more expensive repair costs can push premiums up, while opting for a smaller, safer car with a lower insurance group could actually reduce your costs.
You can use our car insurance group checker to see which group a specific model falls into, giving you a view of how costly it may be to insure relative to other models before you buy or switch cars.
Beyond the car itself, other factors such as your age, occupation, and any points on your driving licence also play a role in determining your premium.
New car models launch throughout the year at each manufacturer's discretion. Registration plates change twice a year, on 1 March and 1 September.
Any car registered within that six-month window carries the same age identifier, so buyers don't necessarily have to buy on the launch day to get the current plate. However, demand tends to peak around the plate change dates.