Did you know the first-ever plate issued in the UK was A 1? It was secured by Earl Russell in 1903, who reportedly stayed up all night to ensure he was first in line. Since then, the UK system has evolved through several distinct eras:

  • Dateless (1903–1963)
    Just letters and numbers. These are the holy grail today because they don’t reveal the car’s age.

  • Suffix (1963–1982)
    The year identifier was at the end (e.g., ABC 123A).

  • Prefix (1983–2001)
    The year was at the start (e.g., A123 ABC).

  • The Current System (2001–Present)
    Two letters (region), two numbers (year), and three random letters.

At Reggit, we deal in all of them. Whether you want a piece of history or a modern ’26’ classic, you’re part of a British tradition that’s over 120 years old.

 In 2026, we’ve seen a massive trend toward ‘Neo-Retro’ aesthetics. While modern cars are required to display white and yellow reflective plates, owners of classic cars (registered before 1980) are still embracing the iconic black-and-silver pressed metal plates. However, even for modern car owners, the ‘Dateless’ style is seeing a huge comeback.

As electric vehicles (EVs) become more minimalist in design, many owners are choosing short, dateless registrations to create a ‘clean’ look that ignores the biannual registration hype. These plates strip away the clutter of modern year-codes, giving a 2026 Tesla the same timeless, high-status feel as a 1950s Jaguar. It’s proof that in the world of private registrations, the oldest styles are often the most futuristic.