What year is an A reg?
A at the start: 1 August 1983 – 31 July 1984
Plates like A123 ABC are prefix plates, used from August 1983 to August 2001. The first letter is the year identifier.
A was the first prefix letter, replacing the suffix system in August 1983.
A car first registered then is 42–43 years old today.
A at the end: 1 January 1963 – 31 December 1963
Plates like ABC 123A are suffix plates, used from 1963 to July 1983. The last letter is the year identifier.
A was the first suffix letter, introduced in 1963. Not every local licensing office used suffix letters from the start, so some 1963–64 cars have dateless plates.
A car first registered then is 62–63 years old today.
What can an A reg plate go on?
A plate can’t make a vehicle look newer than it is. An A prefix plate can go on vehicles first registered on or after 1 August 1983. An A suffix plate can go on vehicles first registered on or after 1 January 1963.
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 A reg 1983–84?
If the A is the first character, yes: A prefix plates were issued from 1 August 1983 to 31 July 1984. If it’s the last character, the car is from January 1963 – December 1963.
How old is an A reg car?
In November 2026, an A prefix car is 42–43 years old and an A suffix car is 62–63 years old, counted from first registration.
Can I put an A reg plate on my car?
Only if the car is at least as new as the plate. An A prefix plate can go on vehicles first registered on or after 1 August 1983; an A suffix plate on vehicles from 1 January 1963.
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.