The 76 plate arrived for new car registrations on 1 September 2026, following the 26 plate introduced on 1 March. Here is how DVLA age identifiers work and what the twice-yearly number plate changes could mean for buyers and sellers.
You may be wondering what ’76’ means(Image: Milo Boyd)
The latest number plates have hit bumpers across the UK. The new ’76’ registration plate arrived on 1 September 2026, replacing the 26 age identifier introduced in March.
The DVLA changes registration plate age identifiers twice a year, on 1 March and 1 September. The two numbers help show when a vehicle was first registered. Unless you’re well-versed in the world of license plates, you may be wondering why we’ve entered the 76 era.
The standard registration format has three parts: two letters indicating where the vehicle was registered, two numbers identifying its age and three random letters.
The licence plate change has just taken place(Image: Ivana Poku)
For buyers, the twice-yearly change can make timing worth considering. If you want the latest plate, aim to have your new car registered just after the March or September changeover. Allow for delivery delays and discuss the registration date with your dealer before placing an order.
If getting a lower price matters more than having the newest plate, the weeks leading up to a changeover could be a good time to look. Dealers may discount outgoing stock as the next registration number approaches. Sellers may also want to consider timing. Selling in February or August means putting your car on the market before the next age identifier arrives, although a plate change does not alter its actual age.
For the March change, the numbers match the final two digits of the year, giving newly registered cars a 26 plate in March 2026. For September, 50 is added to that figure, producing 76. This system has been in place since 2001. The pattern continues with 27 and 77 in 2027, followed by 28 and 78 in 2028. The format is set to remain in place until 2050.
Some number plates also feature a green stripe to identify zero-emission vehicles. These plates can be fitted to older electric vehicles as well as new ones. Eligible vehicles may qualify for benefits such as reduced parking charges or congestion-charge exemptions, depending on the rules of the scheme.
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