What year is an 06 plate?
Why “06”?
March plates use the last two digits of the year, so 2006 plates are 06.
What can an 06 plate go on?
As a private plate, it can go on any vehicle first registered on or after 1 March 2006. 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 |
|---|---|
| 05 plate | 1 March 2005 – 31 August 2005 |
| 55 plate | 1 September 2005 – 28 February 2006 |
| 06 plate | 1 March 2006 – 31 August 2006 |
| 56 plate | 1 September 2006 – 28 February 2007 |
| 07 plate | 1 March 2007 – 31 August 2007 |
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 06 plate 2006?
Yes. 06 plates were issued from 1 March 2006 to 31 August 2006.
How old is an 06 plate car?
In November 2026, an 06 plate car is 20 years old, counted from its first registration. If the plate is a private one the car could be newer.
Can I put an 06 plate on an older car?
No. A plate can’t make a vehicle look newer than it is, so an 06 plate can only go on a vehicle first registered on or after 1 March 2006.
What plate came after 06?
56, issued from 1 September 2006.
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.