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    When will the ’24 reg plates be available?

    The ’24 plate will launch on the 1st of March 2024. They are released at the same time every year and take their name from the year they are produced. For 6 months – before the ’74 plates enter the market on the 1st of September – they will represent the newest cars on the market.

    When will the '24 reg plates be available?
    New reg plates drop twice a year, once in March, and once again in September, and when they do arrive on the market, they will usually affect the value of your car.

    ’24 reg plates explained:

    What year is the DVLA ’24 plate?

    The ’24 plate is for cars registered between 1st March and 1st September 2024. Vehicles registered after September will display a ’74 reg plate instead.

    What’s the release date for the DVLA ’24 plate?

    The DVLA will launch the ’24 plate on 1st March 2024. This release date occurs every year for March plates. The digits on March reg plates always correspond to the final two digits of the year of release. Whereas, the September plates always increase the number by 50. So, for example, in 2024, the September plate will read ’74. 

    How do the DVLA ’24 number plates work?

    All vehicles produced in the UK after 2001 are assigned a reg plate following this format:

    • 2 numbers representing the registration year
    • 2 letters indicating the region of registration (one for the general area and one for the specific office)
    • 3 random letters

    In March, the registration year is indicated by the numbers directly – so, in March 2024, the reg plate shows ‘24’. Whereas, in September, the ‘year’ is increased by 50. So, in September 2024 the reg plates will display the number ’74’.

    Below are examples of plates for a car registered in London (L) at Borehamwood (represented by letters K, L, M, N, O, P, R, S, and T).

    Year of purchase        After MarchAfter September
    2002LK02 MTWLK52 MTW
    2003LK03 MTWLK53 MTW
    2015LK15 MTWLK65 MTW
    2024LK24 MTWLK74 MTW
    Regional identifiers don’t use I, Q, and Z. In fact, Z will only appear on a reg if it was selected as one of the three random letters at the end. 
    How do the DVLA ’24 number plates work?
    In March 2024, new cars will hit the market with ’24 reg plates.

    What are the rules around the DVLA ’24 reg plate?

    The general rules around car registration plates won’t change with the arrival of the ’24 plate. Both the back and front of a vehicle need to show reg plates. Some other key rules include:

    • White plates on the front and yellow on the back (unless the vehicle is a pre-1973 vintage model)
    • Numbers and letters must be 79 millimetres tall
    • A gap is required between the numbers indicating the year/regional identifiers and the three random letters
    • All plates must use a specific font – called the ‘Charles Wright font’ – it has been illegal for any vehicle to be used on the public highway with reg plates that do not conform to this font since 2001

    Car owners are prohibited from changing or purposefully obscuring their reg numbers. Fines of up to £1,000 can be issued for doing so – and any car without clear reg plates will also fail the MOT.

    Other additions to new ’24 plates

    Depending on where you plan to drive your car and what sort of car it is, there are some things you can (or must) add to your registration plate.

    UK cars that will be driven abroad must have nationality identifiers on their plates. This is the addition of a Union flag and a badge saying ‘UK’. (Previously ‘GB’.)

    Electric and zero CO emissions vehicles can use green tabs on plates either as the colour background to the nationality identification or simply as a block colour tab. Though, this is optional.

    '24 plates
    When the new ‘24 plate cars hit the market, it is likely to negatively impact the value of older models.  

    How do ’24 plates influence car value?

    The impact on car value isn’t directly from the ’24 plates themselves, but rather because they signify the latest models on the market.

    If you are thinking about selling your car, it would be advisable to sell it before the new ’24 reg becomes available in March 2024. Your car’s value is likely to drop when cars with the new plates come to market – as it will then have newer models to compete against. 

    Where can I get DVLA ’24 plates?

    You don’t actually need to have a new car in order to get a ’24 plate – you don’t even need to have a car.

    You can buy a ’24 plate from the gov.uk website and hold it on what is called a retention certificate. With this, you can then use it on a vehicle in the future. However, this service is usually used for personalised private number plates – and, therefore, it’s relatively uncommon that you would see a ’24 plate that isn’t denoting the actual age of the vehicle.

    Looking to sell your car?

    If you’re looking to sell your car quickly and easily – before it loses value in March – Motorway offers a simple, and completely free, method of getting your best price.

    Sell with Motorway and our network of 5,000+ verified car dealers compete to give you their best price.

    Just enter your reg on Motorway’s website or app and you will be provided with an instant estimated sale price based on up-to-the-minute market data. They’ll then ask you a few easy questions about your car and guide you through the photos you need to take to complete your vehicle profile. It can usually be done right from your phone – in a matter of minutes.

    If you choose to enter your car into their daily sale, it will be shown to Motorway’s nationwide network of more than 5,000 verified car dealers looking to add to their stock. Interested dealers will then compete to buy your car, offering you their best price.

    In as little as 24 hours you will receive your best offer – and, if you choose to go ahead with the sale, your car will be collected for free by the dealer and the money will be quickly and securely transferred to your bank account.

    Need more help?

    Need to sell your car, or want to understand more about documentation or maintenance? Check out more of our guides here, covering everything from the paperwork you need when buying and selling, to various notices you may need to file with the UK’s driver and vehicle licensing agency. 

    Sell your car the Motorway way

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