What year is an F reg?
F at the start: 1 August 1988 – 31 July 1989
Plates like F123 ABC are prefix plates, used from August 1983 to August 2001. The first letter is the year identifier.
A car first registered then is 37–38 years old today.
F at the end: 1 August 1967 – 31 July 1968
Plates like ABC 123F are suffix plates, used from 1963 to July 1983. The last letter is the year identifier.
F was the first suffix letter to start in August.
A car first registered then is 58–59 years old today.
What can an F reg plate go on?
A plate can’t make a vehicle look newer than it is. An F prefix plate can go on vehicles first registered on or after 1 August 1988. An F suffix plate can go on vehicles first registered on or after 1 August 1967.
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 F reg 1988–89?
If the F is the first character, yes: F prefix plates were issued from 1 August 1988 to 31 July 1989. If it’s the last character, the car is from August 1967 – July 1968.
How old is an F reg car?
In November 2026, an F prefix car is 37–38 years old and an F suffix car is 58–59 years old, counted from first registration.
Can I put an F reg plate on my car?
Only if the car is at least as new as the plate. An F prefix plate can go on vehicles first registered on or after 1 August 1988; an F suffix plate on vehicles from 1 August 1967.
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.