Age Related Prefix Number Plates: 1983 to 2001
Prefix number plates were introduced in 1983. This was because by 1982 the year suffixes had reached the end of the alphabet (Y Suffix) so from August 1983 onwards the format was reversed with a single age related year letter at the front.
MAKE YOUR OWN prefix number plate
The year-letter suffix now became a prefix giving a format as follows:
- A single letter Prefix. This started from “A” ending with “Y”
- One to three numbers.
- A space.
- A three number sequence. Again characters within this sequence indicate area of origin.
The available range was now “A1 AAA” to “Y999 YYY”.
NOTE: During the 90s there was an investigation into a unified scheme for Europe which would incorporate the country of origin. Britain decided not to adopt such a scheme.
The changes in 1983 also brought the letter Q into use. Q was used on vehicles of indeterminate age such as those assembled from kits, substantial rebuilds, or imported vehicles where the documentation was insufficient to determine the age.
Buying prefix number plates
There are many options and combinations which have been released by the DVLA. Some of the most expensive were numbers like “K1 NGS” which sold for £235,000 in 1993, “S1 NGH” and “P1 LOT” both also made around £100,000 each at DVLA auctions. The majority of prefix number plates were sold online via the DVLA personalised registrations website. Numbers with prefix A to Y (excluding I) then one or two numbers (up to 20) followed by three letters were available to buy from only £155+VAT+ £80 transfer fee. This scheme allowed more and more people to enjoy personalised number plates.
See all our remaining unissued ’A1’ prefix number plates (never been used before) or you can make your own prefix number plates here!
Many people who have purchased combinations over the years have been pleasantly surprised when they realised when coming to sell that their number plate had been a good investment. Some numbers have and still are being sold for two, three or even four times more than what people had originally paid.
Prefix Plates - Selection of Current Stock
Issue Dates of Prefix Registrations
| Month & Year of Issue | Prefix Letter |
|---|---|
| AUG 1983 | A |
| AUG 1984 | B |
| AUG 1985 | C |
| AUG 1986 | D |
| AUG 1987 | E |
| AUG 1988 | F |
| AUG 1989 | G |
| AUG 1990 | H |
| AUG 1991 | J |
| AUG 1992 | K |
| AUG 1993 | L |
| AUG 1994 | M |
| AUG 1995 | N |
| AUG 1996 | P |
| AUG 1997 | R |
| AUG 1998 | S |
| MAR 1999 | T |
| SEPT 1999 | V |
| MAR 2000 | W |
| SEPT 2000 | X |
| MAR 2001 | Y |
