What year is an 03 plate?
Why “03”?
March plates use the last two digits of the year, so 2003 plates are 03.
What can an 03 plate go on?
As a private plate, it can go on any vehicle first registered on or after 1 March 2003. DVLA won’t let a plate make a vehicle look newer than it is, so it can’t go on anything older.
Looking for a plate for an older car? Choose an earlier identifier, or a dateless plate, which can go on a vehicle of any age.
Plates either side
| Plate | Issued |
|---|---|
| 02 plate | 1 March 2002 – 31 August 2002 |
| 52 plate | 1 September 2002 – 28 February 2003 |
| 03 plate | 1 March 2003 – 31 August 2003 |
| 53 plate | 1 September 2003 – 29 February 2004 |
| 04 plate | 1 March 2004 – 31 August 2004 |
Buying or selling the car?
The plate tells you when a car was first registered, not its history. Check its MOT record before you buy.
Common questions
Is an 03 plate 2003?
Yes. 03 plates were issued from 1 March 2003 to 31 August 2003.
How old is an 03 plate car?
In November 2026, an 03 plate car is 23 years old, counted from its first registration. If the plate is a private one the car could be newer.
Can I put an 03 plate on an older car?
No. A plate can’t make a vehicle look newer than it is, so an 03 plate can only go on a vehicle first registered on or after 1 March 2003.
What plate came after 03?
53, issued from 1 September 2003.
Got a full reg? Check it in the year checker or see the full year chart.
Source: GOV.UK: Vehicle registration numbers and number plates (INF104). Ages are worked out from first registration as of 3 November 2026.