What year is a 21 plate?
Why “21”?
March plates use the last two digits of the year, so 2021 plates are 21.
What can a 21 plate go on?
As a private plate, it can go on any vehicle first registered on or after 1 March 2021. 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 |
|---|---|
| 20 plate | 1 March 2020 – 31 August 2020 |
| 70 plate | 1 September 2020 – 28 February 2021 |
| 21 plate | 1 March 2021 – 31 August 2021 |
| 71 plate | 1 September 2021 – 28 February 2022 |
| 22 plate | 1 March 2022 – 31 August 2022 |
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 a 21 plate 2021?
Yes. 21 plates were issued from 1 March 2021 to 31 August 2021.
How old is a 21 plate car?
In November 2026, a 21 plate car is 5 years old, counted from its first registration. If the plate is a private one the car could be newer.
Can I put a 21 plate on an older car?
No. A plate can’t make a vehicle look newer than it is, so a 21 plate can only go on a vehicle first registered on or after 1 March 2021.
What plate came after 21?
71, issued from 1 September 2021.
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.