The DVLA bans hundreds of plate combinations from each new release. For 2026 — the '26' plate from March and the '76' plate from September — the restricted list runs to over 400 entries. This guide explains how the process works, what types of combinations are banned, and how to find a compliant alternative.
The UK's current number plate format — introduced in 2001 — uses the pattern: two area letters + two age-identifier digits + three random letters (e.g. AB26 XYZ). The age identifier changes twice a year: the March number equals the last two digits of the year (26 in March 2026), and the September number adds 50 (76 in September 2026).
This means that with each release, every combination of the form [area code][26 or 76][random letters] becomes available. That is a very large number of potential combinations — and some of them, when read as a sequence or interpreted creatively, produce offensive words or phrases. Before each release, the DVLA reviews all potential combinations and withdraws those that fail its standards.
This is an entirely separate process from illegal number plate display rules (font, spacing, colour). The banned list concerns which combinations are sold in the first place, not how a plate is physically made.
The DVLA has a dedicated team that reviews combinations before each release. The process considers:
The most obvious category: does the sequence of letters, when read aloud or in sequence, produce an offensive word or phrase? This includes combinations where the age identifier digits (26 or 76 in 2026) form part of the offensive reading.
For example, imagine an area code of "BU" combined with age "26" and random letters "GER" — this would obviously be problematic. The DVLA works through every combination systematically, including ones that require some imagination to read offensively, erring on the side of caution.
Some combinations are banned not for their forward reading but because reversing or rearranging the characters produces something problematic. Number plates on vehicles are occasionally photographed in wing mirrors or rear-facing cameras, and the DVLA considers these alternative readings.
The review considers meanings beyond English. A combination that is entirely innocent in English might be offensive in Welsh, Urdu, Polish, or another widely spoken language in the UK. This is why some bans appear counterintuitive to English speakers.
The DVLA does not want number plates to become vehicles for political commentary. Combinations that reference wars, conflicts, political leaders, or controversial events are routinely banned. The 2026 list, like recent years', includes combinations related to ongoing international tensions.
Any combination that could be interpreted as a slur, a discriminatory term, or an offensive reference to a religious group, ethnicity, or minority is banned without exception.
Each release typically results in 400–500 banned combinations. This sounds significant, but when you consider that each two-letter area code (there are 23 in use) can be combined with the age identifier and any three random letters (26³ = 17,576 possibilities per area code), the total number of potential combinations runs into the hundreds of thousands. Banning 400–500 represents less than 0.1% of all possible plates.
The vast majority of combinations you might want — initials, names, words, numbers — are available. Only the specific combinations that fail the review are blocked.
The twice-yearly ban process applies specifically to current-format DVLA registrations being released for sale. Dateless number plates — those issued before 1963 — were already in circulation and are not subject to the same review. However, the DVLA would not reissue a dateless plate if it was offensive; in practice, this is not an issue because dateless plates are assigned letter/number combinations in a sequential system that doesn't produce readable words.
Suffix and prefix format plates (1963–2001) were similarly allocated sequentially and are not subject to annual review.
Buyers are sometimes surprised to find that a specific combination they wanted is unavailable. Common reasons include:
In most cases, a close alternative is available that achieves essentially the same personalisation without the problematic element. An experienced dealer can usually suggest these alternatives quickly.
Legitimate DVLA-authorised dealers — including New Reg — only list plates that the DVLA has made available for sale. If a combination appears in our search results, it is available. If it does not appear, it is either not yet released, already sold to another buyer, or on the banned list.
We do not list banned combinations, nor would we attempt to sell them. Doing so would be a serious regulatory breach — the DVLA can revoke a dealer's authorisation for non-compliance. New Reg has been operating to DVLA standards since 1990, and our compliance record underpins the trust our customers place in us.
When customers ask about specific combinations that are unavailable, our team works to suggest alternatives that achieve the same effect — a different area letter group, a variation on the spelling, or an older format plate that spells the same word.
If the specific combination you want is on the restricted list, there are several routes to a similar result:
The same three random letters with a different age identifier may not be banned. "AB26 XYZ" being banned doesn't necessarily mean "AB24 XYZ" or "AB74 XYZ" are restricted — these are different combinations reviewed separately.
Suffix and prefix plates from 1963–2001 can spell many words clearly and are not subject to the same annual ban review. A suffix plate like "CAT 1A" or a prefix plate like "A1 CAT" may achieve exactly the effect you wanted from a current-format plate. These are also often more affordable.
For certain name combinations, a dateless plate may be the best solution — and often the most prestigious option. A plate like "CAT 1" or "1 CAT" (if available) carries no age indicator, can go on any vehicle, and is a long-term appreciating asset. Browse dateless plates to explore available combinations.
Number plate conventions allow for common substitutions — 1 for I, 0 for O, 5 for S, 8 for B. A combination involving these substitutions in a slightly different arrangement may be available even if your first choice is banned. Our team is skilled at identifying creative alternatives within DVLA rules.
Every personalised number plate sold through New Reg comes with a V750 Certificate of Entitlement issued by the DVLA — proof that the registration is legitimate and officially yours. We have never sold a plate that was not properly authorised, and we have the track record to prove it: we have been trading since 1990 without a single compliance issue.
If you are unsure whether a combination you are interested in is available, search our database — if it shows up, it is available. If you need help finding an alternative to a banned plate, our team is on hand to assist. We have helped hundreds of customers find great plates when their first choice was unavailable.
Want to understand the broader display rules — font, spacing, ANPR compliance? See our complete number plate rules guide for everything you need to know about displaying your plate legally once you have it.
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).
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