UK Number Plate Decoder
Decode area codes, age identifiers, and registration formats
Modern format: AA00 AAA (2001 onwards)
Registration Area
Anglia
DVLA Office: Peterborough
Registration Date
March 2001
Registered: March - August 2001
Invalid registration format
Please enter a valid UK registration (e.g. AB51 CDE)
This decoder works with the modern UK format (2001 onwards). Older formats are not supported.
Number Plate Guide
Everything about UK registration formats
Understanding UK Number Plates
Since September 2001, UK vehicle registrations follow a standardised format: two letters, two numbers, three letters (e.g., AB51 CDE).
Memory Tag (Area Code)
Indicates the region where the vehicle was first registered
Age Identifier
Shows when the vehicle was registered (changes every 6 months)
Random Letters
Randomly assigned to make the registration unique
UK Area Codes
The first letter indicates the broad region, the second letter identifies the specific DVLA office.
| Letter | Region | DVLA Offices |
|---|---|---|
| A | Anglia | Peterborough, Norwich, Ipswich |
| B | Birmingham | Birmingham |
| C | Cymru (Wales) | Cardiff, Swansea, Bangor |
| L | London | Wimbledon, Stanmore, Sidcup |
| M | Manchester | Manchester |
| S | Scotland | Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee |
| Y | Yorkshire | Leeds, Sheffield, Beverley |
Note: Letters I, Q, and Z are not used in UK number plate area codes.
Age Identifier Guide
New plates are released twice a year: March and September.
March
Use the year's last two digits
September
Add 50 to the year
Check Your Vehicle's Full History
Now you know where your car is from, check its MOT history, mileage trends, and defect patterns.
Check Vehicle HistoryNumber Plate Decoder
Decode UK vehicle registrations to find the area of origin and registration date.
Modern format only (2001 onwards)
Decoded Results
Enter a registration to decode
Anglia
DVLA Office: Peterborough
March 2001
March - August 2001
Invalid Format
Please enter a valid UK registration (e.g. AB51 CDE)
UK Number Plate Format
Modern system explained
AB
Area Code
51
Age ID
CDE
Random
Since September 2001, UK vehicle registrations follow a standardised format: two letters, two numbers, three letters (e.g., AB51 CDE).
The first two letters (memory tag) indicate the registration region. The two numbers show when the vehicle was registered. The last three letters are randomly assigned to make each plate unique.
Area Codes
Age Identifiers
Plates change twice yearly:
Format History
- 2001+ Current (AB51 CDE)
- 1983-2001 Prefix (A123 ABC)
- 1963-1983 Suffix (ABC 123A)
Complete UK Area Codes Reference
All DVLA regional identifiers
| Letter | Region | DVLA Offices |
|---|---|---|
| A | Anglia | Peterborough, Norwich, Ipswich |
| B | Birmingham | Birmingham |
| C | Cymru (Wales) | Cardiff, Swansea, Bangor |
| D | Deeside to Shrewsbury | Chester, Shrewsbury |
| E | Essex | Chelmsford |
| F | Forest and Fens | Nottingham, Lincoln |
| G | Garden of England | Maidstone, Brighton |
| H | Hampshire and Dorset | Bournemouth, Portsmouth |
| K | Luton / Northampton | Luton, Northampton |
| L | London | Wimbledon, Stanmore, Sidcup |
| M | Manchester and Merseyside | Manchester |
| N | North | Newcastle, Stockton |
| O | Oxford | Oxford |
| P | Preston | Preston, Carlisle |
| R | Reading | Reading |
| S | Scotland | Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness |
| V | Severn Valley | Worcester |
| W | West of England | Exeter, Truro, Bristol |
| Y | Yorkshire | Leeds, Sheffield, Beverley |
Note: Letters I, Q, and Z are not used in UK number plate area codes to avoid confusion with numbers.
Check Your Vehicle's Full History
Now you know where your car is from, check its MOT history, mileage trends, and defect patterns.
Check Vehicle History