What year is an 08 plate?
Why “08”?
March plates use the last two digits of the year, so 2008 plates are 08.
What can an 08 plate go on?
As a private plate, it can go on any vehicle first registered on or after 1 March 2008. 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 |
|---|---|
| 07 plate | 1 March 2007 – 31 August 2007 |
| 57 plate | 1 September 2007 – 29 February 2008 |
| 08 plate | 1 March 2008 – 31 August 2008 |
| 58 plate | 1 September 2008 – 28 February 2009 |
| 09 plate | 1 March 2009 – 31 August 2009 |
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 08 plate 2008?
Yes. 08 plates were issued from 1 March 2008 to 31 August 2008.
How old is an 08 plate car?
In November 2026, an 08 plate car is 18 years old, counted from its first registration. If the plate is a private one the car could be newer.
Can I put an 08 plate on an older car?
No. A plate can’t make a vehicle look newer than it is, so an 08 plate can only go on a vehicle first registered on or after 1 March 2008.
What plate came after 08?
58, issued from 1 September 2008.
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.