The DVLA introduced the new '26' registration plate on March 1st, 2026, marking the latest biannual update to the UK's number plate system. Whether you're buying a new car, considering a personalised plate for your 26-plate vehicle, or weighing up whether to register now or wait for September's 76 plates, this guide covers everything you need to know.
The 26 plates follow the established current format of XX26 XXX, where the first two letters indicate the DVLA regional office where the vehicle was registered, '26' represents the first half of 2026, and the final three letters are assigned randomly. This system has been in place since 2001 and provides an efficient method for identifying when and where vehicles were first registered.
For those seeking something more distinctive, personalised number plates remain an excellent way to add individual character to your vehicle while maintaining compliance with DVLA regulations. At New Reg, with over 36 years of experience in the private registration market since 1990, we've helped thousands of customers navigate these transitions seamlessly.
Every 26-plate registration begins with two letters that identify the DVLA local office responsible for issuing it. The first letter indicates the broad region; the second narrows it to a specific office. Below are the regional first letters in use for the 26-plate release:
| First letter | Region |
|---|---|
| A | Anglia (Peterborough, Norwich, Ipswich) |
| B | Birmingham and Coventry |
| C | Cymru / Wales (Cardiff, Swansea, Bangor) |
| D | Deeside / Chester |
| E | Essex (Chelmsford) |
| F | Forest and Fens (Nottingham, Lincoln) |
| G | Garden of England (Maidstone, Brighton) |
| H | Hampshire and Dorset |
| K | Luton and Northampton |
| L | London (Wimbledon, Sidcup, Stanmore) |
| M | Manchester and Merseyside |
| N | North (Newcastle, Stockton) |
| O | Oxford |
| P | Preston and Carlisle |
| R | Reading |
| S | Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee) |
| V | Severn Valley (Worcester, Gloucester) |
| W | West of England (Bristol, Exeter, Truro) |
| Y | Yorkshire (Leeds, Sheffield, Beverley) |
Area codes are issued based on where the vehicle is first registered, not where the buyer lives. If you buy from a dealer in Manchester, your 26-plate will begin with M even if you live in London.
A brand-new 26-plate vehicle is an ideal candidate for a private registration. The DVLA rule is that you can only assign a plate that is the same age or older than the vehicle — which for a 26-plate car means essentially any plate ever issued, since the 26 identifier is among the most recent.
The most popular choices for new car buyers include:
The choice between the March 26-plate and the September 76-plate is largely personal, but several practical factors are worth considering.
Registering in March gives you the lower identifier (26 vs 76), which some buyers perceive as marginally preferable at resale since it reads as earlier in the year. In reality, the difference in residual value between a 26-plate and a 76-plate is negligible for most models — both are 2026 vehicles.
Waiting for September means you register later in the calendar year, so the vehicle's first MOT falls later (three years from first registration). On popular models, September releases can see slightly higher demand, which may mean longer dealer wait times. For electric vehicles or low-emission cars where demand is strong, March registration may mean better availability.
If you plan to personalise the vehicle with a private plate at all, the registration year is irrelevant — your chosen plate will replace the age identifier entirely.
Vehicles registered on a 75 plate (September 2025 to February 2026) are typically only a few months older than 26-plate vehicles. Yet the psychological impact on buyers is real: a 26-plate car reads as a newer, fresher model year, even when the underlying vehicle is identical to a late-75-plate car.
In practice, on popular family cars the difference in list price depreciation between a 75-plate and a 26-plate at the same mileage is usually in the range of £200–£700 depending on the model. Premium and performance vehicles show larger gaps, sometimes £1,000–£2,500, because their buyers are more plate-conscious.
If you are selling a 75-plate car in March 2026 onwards, expect the market to shift as 26-plate stock becomes available. Pricing your 75-plate vehicle realistically and promptly will achieve a better result than waiting for the post-release market to soften further. Our team can help you sell your number plate separately before selling the car, recovering value from the registration independently of the vehicle's depreciation.
The introduction of new registration plates traditionally creates a ripple effect throughout the automotive market. Vehicles registered just before the plate change often command higher resale values compared to those registered immediately after, as buyers perceive newer plates as more desirable. This phenomenon occurs because depreciation patterns shift with each new plate release.
New vehicles typically experience their steepest depreciation in the first twelve months, with average losses of approximately 20%. However, the timing of registration can influence this trajectory. Cars registered at the beginning of a new plate period may hold their value better initially, as they appear newer for longer compared to vehicles registered at the end of the previous period.
Alongside the new plate release, the DVLA continues to strengthen enforcement against illegal number plates. All UK number plates must adhere to strict specifications: front plates require white backgrounds with black lettering, rear plates must feature yellow backgrounds with black lettering. Both must be manufactured from reflective materials. The standard font, mandatory since September 2001, prohibits stylised or italic lettering. Plates manufactured after September 1st, 2021, must display the supplier's name, postcode, and the British Standard number BS AU 145e. For full details see our guide to number plate rules.
Ready to explore your number plate options? Visit New Reg to discover thousands of available registrations, from budget-friendly choices to premium selections. Our experienced team, serving customers online since 1996, can guide you through the entire process, ensuring you find the perfect plate while maintaining full DVLA compliance.
The guidance on this page is based on the following official government and DVLA publications:
New Reg Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (No. 626225).
We use cookies to improve your experience and measure site performance. Cookie policy