What year is an 09 plate?
Why “09”?
March plates use the last two digits of the year, so 2009 plates are 09.
What can an 09 plate go on?
As a private plate, it can go on any vehicle first registered on or after 1 March 2009. 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 |
|---|---|
| 08 plate | 1 March 2008 – 31 August 2008 |
| 58 plate | 1 September 2008 – 28 February 2009 |
| 09 plate | 1 March 2009 – 31 August 2009 |
| 59 plate | 1 September 2009 – 28 February 2010 |
| 10 plate | 1 March 2010 – 31 August 2010 |
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 09 plate 2009?
Yes. 09 plates were issued from 1 March 2009 to 31 August 2009.
How old is an 09 plate car?
In November 2026, an 09 plate car is 17 years old, counted from its first registration. If the plate is a private one the car could be newer.
Can I put an 09 plate on an older car?
No. A plate can’t make a vehicle look newer than it is, so an 09 plate can only go on a vehicle first registered on or after 1 March 2009.
What plate came after 09?
59, issued from 1 September 2009.
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.