What year is a B reg?
B at the start: 1 August 1984 – 31 July 1985
Plates like B123 ABC are prefix plates, used from August 1983 to August 2001. The first letter is the year identifier.
A car first registered then is 41–42 years old today.
B at the end: 1 January 1964 – 31 December 1964
Plates like ABC 123B are suffix plates, used from 1963 to July 1983. The last letter is the year identifier.
A car first registered then is 61–62 years old today.
What can a B reg plate go on?
A plate can’t make a vehicle look newer than it is. A B prefix plate can go on vehicles first registered on or after 1 August 1984. A B suffix plate can go on vehicles first registered on or after 1 January 1964.
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 B reg 1984–85?
If the B is the first character, yes: B prefix plates were issued from 1 August 1984 to 31 July 1985. If it’s the last character, the car is from January 1964 – December 1964.
How old is a B reg car?
In November 2026, a B prefix car is 41–42 years old and a B suffix car is 61–62 years old, counted from first registration.
Can I put a B reg plate on my car?
Only if the car is at least as new as the plate. A B prefix plate can go on vehicles first registered on or after 1 August 1984; a B suffix plate on vehicles from 1 January 1964.
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.