We touched on the fact that between 1903 and 1963, number plates were Dateless without Suffix and Prefix Number Plates. This meant it was impossible to identify the age of the vehicle from the plate itself.
Such number plates are now extremely difficult to get a hold of, as they are from pre-1963. These number plates are highly sought and appealing, due to the fact they are limited in quantity. They can be allocated to any vehicle, of any age, (because they are dateless).
Dateless
These number plates come in various sequences but follow the pattern of either with 1,2,3, or 4 digits, followed by 1,2 or 3 letters, or the other way around. We discussed in our blog, Brief journey of number plates over time, such number plates depicted the area of registration.
Some of these number plates only have three characters in total such as the ‘O 11’ and ’25 O’. We mentioned the ‘A1’ in our previous blog … and then there is also the ‘F1’ number plate, plus many more! These number plates are very rare and are very expensive, with the price ranges varying based on what people desire, or are interested in. Please check out our blog on the most expensive number plates today, coming soon.
Suffix
Local councils had attempted to add in extra digits, then even tried the reverse mechanism on number plates but still they were left short due to increased demand of vehicles and hence number plates to be displayed on those vehicles. This was when the ‘Suffix’ number plates were introduced, with the last letter depicting the year of registration.
Due to the increased demand, managing the system and keeping up with the administration side of things became exhausting. A new method was urgently needed, and with the advancements in technology, computers were the answer. In 1974, the centralised DVLC system was up and ready, relieving the council from managing this system.
Prefix
When the ‘suffix’ system that was in place, was not able to keep up with the demand, a new system was required, ‘prefix’.
The ’Prefix’ number plates, have the letter indicating the year at the beginning of the number plate, that is the first letter e.g. ‘A’ would represent the year 1983, ‘B’ the year 1984 and so on. This system began in August 1983, which is why ‘A’ represented that year. The ‘letter’ that represented the year, was updated on a yearly basis in August. Any vehicles that were registered before August 1983, were not allowed to have a prefix plate.
The last two letters on a ‘prefix’ number plate reveals the area the plate was registered. Also, the letters, ‘I’, ‘O’, ‘Q’ and ‘Z’ were never used in prefix plates.
Reglocker is certified by DVLA and provides all kinds of DVLA-approved number plates at affordable rates.
At Reglocker, you can find affordable and customizable prefix number plates. We have done this research for you, so you come prepared and choose what best matches your interest. Even if you know nothing about how to differentiate between different types of formats and their perks, our team at Reglocker will guide you through the process making it seem harmless. Contact us to talk to our representative who will answer all your queries, or seek correspondence on our address and get your hands on your brand new private number plate today.