dumb question, how do U read the number plates now. when I left its was just N reg, the new plates look really dif. DU02 EPA. what year is that. how do I tell.

thanks....

02 = March 2002

52 = September 2002

and so on...

02 came out in March 2002, 52 plates start Sept 2002 and run to March 03 when '03 plates came out etc... DU is an area code, EPA is the random element.

Ok, they are now in the form of 2 letters, 2 numbers and 3 letters.

First 2 letters depend on where the car was first registered. FJ is Leicester for example

2 numbers mean when the plate was issued. First is either a 0 or a 5. 0 means March, 5 means September. (We now have 2 per year). Second is which year, 02=2002, 03=2003 etc

Last 3 letters are a random combo to give you a unique plate.

Hope that helps

damn! beaten to it..

ahhh I got it. thanks guys

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There is a good explanation of the new system in the thread below:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jones59/newnumberplatesystem.htm

thanks DGW.

so DVLA did this to stop the mad buying frenze in August. does it work?

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Nah the Economy has done that job :P

It has stopped the mad buying frenze in August, instead replacing it by two, around about when they change over now